After nearly two decades of ups and downs, Bend, Oregon-based Epic Aircraft is celebrating the biggest achievement of the company’s history–the certification of its E1000 single-engine turboprop. The coveted paperwork for the sleek, speedy airplane was signed off yesterday by Ron Landes, Manager of the FAA’s Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO).
The Epic E1000 is propelled by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-76A, producing 1,200 horsepower. The powerful engine brings the E1000 to a top cruise speed of 325 knots, nearly on par with that of Daher’s TBM 900-series airplanes; however, the cabin is significantly longer, wider and taller than its French competitor’s.
While the ultimate goal was always to certify the airplane, Epic Aircraft had a rather successful experimental production run, with more than 50 Epics LTs built and flown. After it was found that the original company leader, Rick Schrameck, had embezzled money from the company, Epic shuttered its doors about 10 years ago. But one of the LT owners, entrepreneur and passionate aviator Doug King, took over as CEO and has put his full dedication into the success of the company, made possible by financial backing from a Russian investor.
Now that Epic has overcome its biggest hurdle, the company can focus on delivering airplanes to a list of owners who have patiently been waiting for their airplanes. The first E1000 delivery is expected before the end of the year.
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