Epic Aircraft, manufacturer of high performance, carbon fiber, single-engine turboprop aircraft, remains on schedule to certify its LT model by mid-year 2015. This soon-to-be-certified aircraft, known as the Epic E1000, will be the fastest, highest performing, most affordable, six-place single-engine turboprop in the world. Reservations for the E1000 are currently being taken at a special introductory price of $2,750,000. Initial aircraft deliveries are targeted for second half 2015.
“We already have more than ten new confirmed reservations for the E1000 and we haven’t yet started to market,” said Doug King, Epic CEO. ”We believe our performance and price point distinguish us in the industry, so we are ramping manufacturingto service that demand.” Epic recently purchased a 204,000 square foot manufacturing facility formerly owned by Columbia and Cessna ,effectively tripling their production capacity.
“We are firmly committed to achieving certification for the E1000. We have the resources, the knowledge and the experience to make it happen,” said King. Final customer builds of the experimental LT model will continue throughout 2014, but no additional orders are being taken.
The sleek Epic E1000 airframe, powered by the 1200 hp Pratt & Whitney PT6-67A engine, travels at speeds up to 325 KTAS, with a range of 1,600 nautical miles and a maximum authorized ceiling of 34,000 feet. “We are offering true jet-class performance at a fraction of the cost,” says King.
The certified E1000 will feature an ergonomically designed all-glass cockpit that includes advanced Garmin avionics, providing state-of-the-art situational awareness that rivals equipment found on larger corporate jets. “Our goal is to make you feel as comfortable in our E1000 cockpit as you are in your luxury automobile,” said Mike Schrader, director of sales & marketing. “It is a significant step up from anything else on the market today.”
The company recently hired Henry Boschma as chief financial officer and continues to add staff to support manufacturing, engineering as well as sales and marketing efforts. “Epic Aircraft is growing and actively looking for aviation talent. We expect to hire an additional 100 employees by the end of 2014,” said King. “We are committed to delivering the certified E1000 aircraft to the market, bringing more jobs to the community, and expanding our production capacity here at the Bend Airport.”
About Epic Aircraft
Headquartered in Bend, Epic Aircraft is aprivately-held aviation company specializing in the design and manufacture of high performance, all composite,six-seatsingle-engine turboprop aircraft. The debut of the Epic LT experimental aircraft in 2004 introduced an entirely new standard of performance, luxury, and sophistication to the kit plane marketplace.
The company currently employs over 85 manufacturing, engineering and support staff. Epic is owned by Engineering llc, a Russian maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) holding company that provides line and base maintenance for Airbus, Boeing, ATR and Bombadier aircraft. www.epicaircraft.com
