Epic Aircraft’s second E1000 prototype took to the skies for the first time last week. Prototype number two—called FT2—is a fully conforming model which will be used, according to Epic, to test out pretty much everything on the aircraft from avionics and fuel systems to reliability and operations. The first E1000 prototype flew in December of 2015 and has logged more than 500 hours since then. The kit version of the plane—the Epic LT—first flew in 2004.
The company hopes to have the plane certified sometime this summer. The production schedule has slipped by about 6 months from the original estimates. However, function and reliability (F&R) testing is usually one of the last steps before certification, so the first few people on Epic’s 80+ order long wait-list shouldn’t have to wait too much longer for their E1000.
The carbon fiber E1000 is a single engine turboprop with a ceiling of 34,000 feet. At its maximum cruise speed of 325 knots, it will travel 1,385 nm (1,650nm at economy cruise). It seats six and boasts a full fuel payload of 1,100 pounds. For pilots interested in owning one, it will set them back about $3.25 million.
Learn more at Epic Aircraft.
