The journey to type inspection authorization can move in fits and starts for a manufacturer, so when that momentous piece of paper is granted to an organization, a certain amount of celebration’s in order. Epic Aircraft announced today it has passed this critical milestone on the road to type certification on the E1000.
CEO Doug King spoke from the heart at the presentation, which walked through the highlights of the 4,000 FAA test points met throughout conforming flight tests over the course of several years, with the first flight test article produced in December 2015. The good news came just last week, on July 18.
Key improvements made during the process include an optimized design for the airflow induction system, which increased engine performance, cruise speed, and climb rates. King commented on another source of repeated attention from the FAA: the aircraft interior lighting. “Is that a red light or a red glow?” he recalled—and there is a difference when it comes to certificating aircraft.
Working with the Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (also currently tasked with oversight of Boeing’s beleaguered 737 Max program) has led to increased scrutiny of Epic’s stall prevention system, a stick shaker/pusher that is a core element of the aircraft’s future safety profile.
King noted that Epic has pursued production certification alongside its TC process, so that once the type certificate is granted, submission for the production audit can commence immediately. Epic plans to keep pilot training for the $3.25 million airplane in house. The first three E1000 customer aircraft are undergoing various stages of production so that they may be delivered upon the advent of TC. The company reports 87 confirmed “reservations” for the model.
