Epic E1000

Light-class Turboprop Civilian Passenger Aircraft

United States | 2021

"The prototype Epic E1000 first-flew on December 19th, 2015 and is expected to receive certifications sometime in 2018."

Image from official Epic Aircraft marketing material.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/04/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The E1000 is a new entry into the light aircraft market by Epic Aircraft of Bend, Oregon (USA). The platform is powered by a turboprop engine and is actively marketed with the performance of a business jet while retaining the operating efficiency of a prop-driven aircraft. The E1000 achieved its first-flight on December 19th, 2015 and is slated to receive its certification during 2018.

At its core, the E1000 is a further evolution of Epic's "LT Dynasty" model, a kit-built turboprop performer of similar form and function. This product first-flew in 2004 and was built in 54 total examples including the CAIGA "Primus 150" international version. After Epic Aircraft's bankruptcy, the reformed company revisited this product and forged it into the upcoming E1000 - promoting it as the fastest single-engine civilian market passenger hauler.

The E1000 is crewed by one (with pilot seating for two, side-by-side) and has a passenger capacity for up to five seated in luxury. Dimensions include an overall length of 35.9 feet, a wingspan of 43 feet and a height of 12.5 feet. Empty weight is 4,400lb against an MTOW of 7,500lb. Construction involves carbon fibers which provide the needed strength as well as weight-saving measures.

Power to the aircraft is from a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-67A turboprop engine - a popular engine found on many modern aircraft worldwide which ensures parts availability - and this is used to turn a four-bladed Hartzell propeller unit which features both an inherent reversing and feathering function. Cruising speeds reach 375 miles per hour and range is out to 1,900 miles. The aircraft's service ceiling is 34,000 feet, requiring pressurization of the cabin, and rate-of-climb is an impressive 4,000 feet-per-minute.

The cockpit is of an "all-glass" design approach centering on a Garmin avionics fit (G1000 NXi 3-Screen). The S-Tec IntelliFlight 2100 series handles the autopilot functionality and the Mid-Continent Instruments MD302 offers electronic backup support. Three large color displays dominate the forward panel with throttle controls set between the two pilot positions. The control scheme incorporates a traditional yoke design for both crewmembers.

Externally, the aircraft has a conventional design arrangement. The engine is fitted to the forward section of the frame with a streamlined spinner capping the propeller unit. The cockpit is aft of the engine with large windows for excellent viewing by the crew. The passenger section has rounded, porthole-style windows and seating is face-to-face. The fuselage tapers towards the tail section which is made up of a single vertical fin and low-set horizontal planes. The wing mainplanes are straight in their general design and low-mounted under the fuselage while being fitted ahead of midships. A typical tricycle undercarriage is used for ground-running.

Once the E1000 hits the market, it is expected to sell for $3.25 million per unit.

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January 2018 - Epic revealed a second, production-quality, aircraft of the E1000 line to be used for testing out the various proposed internal components. The company is still targeting a 2018 service introduction date with certification still forthcoming that same year.

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Epic E1000 Light-class Turboprop Civilian Passenger Aircraft.

1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-67A turboprop engine developing 1,200 horsepower and driving a four-bladed propeller unit at the nose.
Propulsion

460 mph
740 kph | 400 kts
Max Speed

32,808 ft
10,000 m | 6 miles
Service Ceiling

1,898 miles
3,055 km | 1,650 nm
Operational Range

4,000 ft/min
1,219 m/min
Rate-of-Climb

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Epic E1000 Light-class Turboprop Civilian Passenger Aircraft.

1
(MANNED)
Crew

35.8 ft
10.92 m
O/A Length

43.0 ft
(13.12 m)
O/A Width

12.5 ft
(3.80 m)
O/A Height

4,409 lb
(2,000 kg)
Empty Weight

7,496 lb
(3,400 kg)
MTOW

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Epic E1000 family line.

E1000 - Base Series Designation

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Epic E1000. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 1 Units
Contractor(s): Epic Aircraft - USA