The Epic E1000 is a single-engine turboprop light aircraft designed and developed by Epic Aircraft in Bend, Oregon. The aircraft features a low-wing design and a pressurized cabin to accommodate six people. The clean-sheet, all-composite design is claimed to deliver exceptional speed, range, payload, comfort, elegance, affordability, and safety.
The E1000 was designed from a kit plane, the Epic LT, but the company stopped selling it after it delivered the 54th and final kit in the second quarter of 2019. The E1000 performed its first flight in December 2015 and followed what was a comprehensive flight test campaign. During the testing phase, a second prototype was built and it performed its maiden flight in January 2018.
The two prototypes combined accumulated over 1,000 hours of testing. After a seven-year development (and testing phase), the aircraft received its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification in November 2019. The aircraft was introduced to service in February 2020, right at the onset of the pandemic.
The Epic E1000 is a low-wing cantilever design with a retractable tricycle landing gear and a spacious cabin. The aircraft is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney PT6-67A turboprop engine, generating over 1,800 horsepower (1,361 kW) of takeoff power. According to , “It may be hard to imagine reaching speeds over 333 knots in a single-engine aircraft.
And harder still to comprehend the thrill of a 4,000 feet-per-minute climb out. But that's the power of a 1200-horsepower Pratt & Whitney PTA-67A engine on an optimally designed all-composite Epic airframe.” “Delivering speeds faster than any single-engine turboprop on the market.
And performance that rivals most business jets, without jet-class costs. In fact, the E1000 GX is the only aircraft that flies over 300 knots on less than 50 gallons per hour. Fast and fuel efficient.
" The aircraft has a composite design, primarily made from carbon fiber composites, enabling a high-strength, lightweight design that consumes relatively less fuel. The aircraft’s wing has a wingspan of 43 ft (13 m) and is equipped with drag-reducing wingtips. Epic Aircraft makes the award-winning E1000, a high-performance, single-engine turboprop plane.
Despite its small size and lightweight design, the Epic E1000 can fly at high altitudes (above 30,000 ft) to achieve fast, more comfortable, and fuel-efficient flights. With a climb rate of nearly 4,000 feet per minute (20 meters per second), the aircraft can attain its maximum cruising altitude of 34,000 feet in less than 10 minutes. The company has recently rolled out the “GX” variant of the E1000, allowing for further extension of range and comfort.
According to , “Quickly and efficiently climb through altitudes you may not have flown through before. Level off at a maximum operating altitude of 34,000 feet. Get above weather and traffic, while cruising at optimal fuel efficiency.
The E1000GX extends your cruise range, comfort and security.” Propeller aircraft may all look similar at first glance, but the engines are often very different underneath. Epic Aircraft claims that the design of the E1000 does not compromise on speed, payload, or range.
Approaching speeds of 333 knots and offering an average range of 1,550 NM (1,750 miles, 2,800 km), even when fully loaded with passengers, luggage, and fuel, is a remarkable feat. The engines provide high performance and reliability on coast-to-coast travel. The aircraft has an unrivaled short-field performance, enabling access to a wide range of airports and airfields not generally accessible to other high-performance aircraft.
According to a pilot and owner, Bill Dickerson, as quoted by , “It’s been three months since I have upgraded from the Meridian to the Epic E1000 GX, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s not only a beautiful plane, but I can travel faster, farther, and carry twice the payload. And the extra room in the cockpit makes long flights more comfortable.
So glad I made the decision I did.” Most of these regional carriers are based in the state of Alaska..
