Epic E1000

E1000
Role Light aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Epic Aircraft
First flight 19 December 2015[1]
Status Under development (2015)
Number built One prototype
Unit cost
US$3.25M[2]
Developed from Epic LT Dynasty

The Epic E1000 is an American single-engine, six-seat, turboprop light aircraft under development by Epic Aircraft of Bend Oregon.[3][4][5]

The project's aim is that the E1000 will be the fastest single-engine civil aircraft at its time of introduction.[6]

Design

A development of the kit-built Epic LT Dynasty, the E1000 aircraft features a cantilever low-wing, a 6.5 psi pressurized cabin with an airstair door just ahead of the rear seats, retractable tricycle landing gear and a single 1,825 hp (1,361 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-67A turboprop aircraft engine, de-rated to 1,200 hp (895 kW) engine in tractor configuration. The aircraft is predominantly made from carbon fiber and its 43 ft (13.1 m) span wing mounts flaps and winglets.[3]

The E1000 will have deicing boots and a heated windshield for certification in known icing conditions.[3] The aircraft has a goal empty weight of 4,400 lb (2,000 kg) and a gross weight of 7,500 lb (3,400 kg), giving a useful load of 3,100 lb (1,400 kg) and a full-fuel payload of 1,100 lb (500 kg), allowing the fuel tanks and seats to all be filled.[3] Preliminary performance data shows a 325kt (600km/h) maximum airspeed, 1,650nmi (3,050km) range, 45USgal/h fuel consumption at cruise altitude, and a 34,000ft operating ceiling.[7]

Development

the E1000 is a certificated version of the pictured Epic LT kit plane

In 2013, the E1000 was launched as a certificated, upgraded Epic LT kit plane. In 2014, Epic stopped selling the kit plane, the 54th and final one will be delivered in the second quarter of 2019.[8]

In February 2014 Epic had ten orders for the type and initial deliveries were targeted for the second half of 2015.[9] In early 2014 the design was forecast for its first flight in June 2015, with certification expected later in 2015.[3] By October 2014, it had 60 orders and Epic targets 50 sales per year.[10] In October 2014 the manufacturer introduced the interior design which includes features such as club seating, adjustable tray tables in the cabin sidewalls, pockets large enough to stow a tablet computer, USB power outlets, cup holders and light-emitting diode light switches. The Garmin G1000 navigation system will include a synthetic vision system.[11] It includes SPD-Smart Electronically Dimmable Window (EDW) Systems.[12]

In 2015, certification slipped to 2016.[4][5][13] In 2015, the company forecast commencing deliveries in 2016.[4][14]

The first flight occurred on 19 December 2015 and Epic reported "more than" 60 orders.[1] In May 2016 the first conforming prototype was under construction and certification was then expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2016, with customer deliveries forecast for early 2017.[15]

In October 2017 Epic reported 76 outstanding orders as the first prototype had accumulated 400 hours, while the production-conforming second prototype was nearing first flight. Russian-owned Epic is hoping to complete type certification in 2018.[2] The second prototype flew in January 2018.[16]

By July 2018, as the two prototypes flew over 625h, structural testing was completed and US type inspection authorisation was to be secured in early August, before a fourth quarter certification. Deliveries in the first quarter of 2019 will allow to convert some 85 reservations into firm orders as the factory could produce 50 aircraft per year.[7] The 250 employees company has enough funds for certification and initial production years: eight to 12 aircraft in 2019, 24 in 2020, 36 in 2021, and 50 thereafter for a 80 to 90 units per year ultimate market. The fuselage was tested to 18 psi, nearly three times its normal 6.6 psi pressurization, while the wing was tested to 19,044 lb (8,638 kg), deflecting to 31 in (79 cm).[17] By September, after 700h of flight tests, Epic Aircraft maintains a year-end type certification goal, and production certification should follow six months later.[8]

Specifications (E1000)

Data from Epic Aircraft[18]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: five passengers
  • Length: 35 ft 10 in (10.92 m)
  • Wingspan: 43 ft (13 m)
  • Height: 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m)
  • Wing area: 203 sq ft (18.9 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 9.11
  • Empty weight: 4,600 lb (2,087 kg)
  • Gross weight: 8,000 lb (3,629 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 288 U.S. gal (1,090 L; 240 imp gal)
  • full fuel payload: 1,100 lb (499 kg)
  • Cabin pressurization: 6.6 psi (46 kPa)
  • Cabin length × width × height: 15×4.6×4.9 ft (4.6×1.4×1.5 m)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67 turboprop, 1,200 hp (890 kW)
  • Propellers: 4-bladed Hartzell Propeller Full Reversing

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 325 kn (374 mph; 602 km/h) Max cruise
  • Cruise speed: 265 kn (305 mph; 491 km/h) Eco cruise
  • Range: 1,385–1,650 nmi (1,594–1,899 mi; 2,565–3,056 km) max cruise-eco cruise
  • Service ceiling: 34,000 ft (10,000 m)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 17.5:1[3]
  • Rate of climb: 4,000 ft/min (20 m/s) best
  • Time to altitude: 15 minutes to 34,000 feet
  • Rate of sink: 700–800[3] ft/min (3.6–4.1 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 39.4 lb/sq ft (192 kg/m2)
  • Power/mass: 6.67 lb/hp (4.06 kg/kW)
  • Take-off field length: 1,600 feet[19]
  • Fuel burn: 300 kn (560 km/h), FL340: 40–60 US gal (150–230 l)/hour[16], sea level: 90 US gal (340 l)/h at full power[6]

Avionics

References

  1. 1 2 "Epic E1000 Prototype Completes First Flight". AVweb. 23 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 Paul Jackson (Oct 8, 2017). "Emerging Aircraft: Props And Turboprops". Aviation Week Network.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rick Durden (May 2014). "Epic E1000: Big Power and Speed" (PDF). Aviation Consumer.
  4. 1 2 3 Sarsfield, Kate (30 March 2015). "Epic readies E1000 turboprop single for June first flight". Flight Global. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Epic Targets E1000 Certification In 2015". AVweb. 15 April 2015.
  6. 1 2 Pia Bergqvist (November 2014). "Epic Journey" (PDF). Flying. pp. 52–58.
  7. 1 2 Kate Sarsfield (27 July 2018). "Epic completes E1000 structural testing as type certification nears". Flightglobal.
  8. 1 2 Kate Sarsfield (26 Sep 2018). "Epic closes in on E1000 type certification". Flightglobal.
  9. ↑ Schrader, Mike (3 February 2014). "FAA Certification On Schedule For Epic Aircraft" (PDF). Epic Aircraft. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  10. ↑ Sarsfield, Kate (21 October 2014), "Epic E1000 turboprop-single makes show debut", Flightglobal, Reed Business Information
  11. ↑ Bergqvist, Pia (23 October 2014). "Epic E1000 New Interior Unveiled at NBAA". Flying Magazine. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  12. ↑ "SPD-Smart Aircraft Window Systems: Dramatically Improving the Passenger Experience.pdf" (Press release). Research Frontiers. October 27, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Epic Aircraft Prepares For Production Ramp In Tandem With Certification" (PDF) (Press release). Epic Aircraft. 19 July 2015.
  14. ↑ "Epic E1000 Certification Now 2016". AVweb. 19 July 2015.
  15. ↑ "Epic prepares production-conforming E1000 for first flight". Flight Global. 4 May 2016.
  16. 1 2 Mark Huber (March 2018). "Epic E1000". Business Jet Traveler.
  17. ↑ Mark Huber (July 25, 2018). "Epic Nudges Closer To E1000 Certification". AIN online.
  18. ↑ "E1000 Brochure" (PDF). Epic Aircraft. Oct 2017.
  19. ↑ Bergqvist, Pia (30 October 2014). "Epic E1000 Versus the World: Comparison Specs". Flying. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
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