The factory in Bend, Oregon is locked up, and the company that had made its presence felt loud and clear at EAA AirVenture over the past several years was conspicuous by its absence in 2009. And Epic Aircraft founder, chairman and CEO Rick Schrameck has not made himself available for comment. According to a report, Epic LT kit buyer Rich Lucibella said there are as many as a dozen partially finished kits locked behind the doors at the Epic factory. Lucibella has filed a lawsuit against Epic, claiming they owe him an engine for his aircraft. Epic’s workshop is set up as a builder-assistance center, in which kit buyers can construct their aircraft under the auspices of the company. Such facilities have come under FAA scrutiny over their interpretation of the so-called 51% rule-a code that dictates the owner/builder must complete more than half the work of building the airplane.
Epic Aircraft Founder Apparently Nowhere to Be Found
Key Takeaways:
- Epic Aircraft's Bend, Oregon factory is locked, its CEO is unavailable, and the company's absence from EAA AirVenture 2009 indicates significant operational issues.
- Numerous Epic LT kit buyers have partially finished aircraft components stranded inside the locked factory, leading at least one, Rich Lucibella, to file a lawsuit claiming an owed engine.
- Epic's builder-assistance center model is under FAA scrutiny for its interpretation of the "51% rule," which requires the owner/builder to complete more than half of the aircraft construction.
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