Epic Aircraft has selected the Honeywell TPE331-10A turboprop engine for its newest aircraft, the Epic Escape, the engine maker announced here. In its Escape configuration, the engine produces 940 shp, giving the aircraft 1,800 nm of range and a 360-knot maximum cruise speed.

According to the engine manufacturer, the TPE331 offers best-in-class fuel consumption while making the Escape the fastest pressurized single-engine turboprop in the world. It features temperature and torque limiting as well as a single redline controller with autostart capabilities.

Epic Aircraft is a general aviation aircraft manufacturer based in Bend, Oregon. Apart from the Escape, Epic also produces the LT and Dynasty turboprops as well as the Elite and Victory jets.

In other developments announced here, Honeywell said it has received technical standard order (TSO) approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for its Primus Apex integrated avionics system on the Pilatus PC-12E.

The Primus Apex is Honeywell’s integrated avionics platform for turboprop and light business jet applications. It offers similar navigation and situational awareness capabilities as those offered in larger, global business jets such as integrated autothrottle and interactive navigation graphical flight planning with detailed terrain and sensor overlays.

Honeywell said the Primus Apex is the first FAR Part 23 avionics system to offer flight management functions meeting TSO C153.

Here at Singapore, Honeywell (Stand No. Q23) also announced that it has been selected to supply communications gateway and multichannel satellite communications for the Falcon 900, 2000 and 7X family of business jets. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of this year.

The communications gateway unit provides a bridge between the user and a computer, voice-over-Internet phone (VOIP), Blackberry or PDA unit that will allow their use for e-mail or other communication during aircraft operation in flight or on the ground. The communications equipment will also eliminate the need for a telephone handset in the cockpit, allowing the flight crew to make telephone calls using their aircraft headsets.

Honeywell said its new system will reduce the number of existing communications boxes needed for today’s business calls and Internet services, saving weight while enhancing reliability.

“Our technology will bring SwiftBroadBand functionality delivering Internet speeds equal to DSL performance most of us use in our home computers,” said Rob Wilson, president of Honeywell Business Aviation. “Passengers will be able to make Inmarsat satellite calls worldwide using VOIP, saving the high cost of other airborne phone equipment.”