Epic Aircraft reported that it is on track to complete type certification of its new E1000 turboprop single by year-end, with initial deliveries to follow early next year. The first conforming E1000 is in final assembly, in preparation for launch of the formal certification flight-test program in June. Flight Test 1 (FT1) will be joined by FT2 in October, and FT2 will be equipped with a production interior.

The $2.95 million E1000 is powered by a 1,200-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A. Capable of carrying five passengers and one pilot, it will offer high-speed cruise of 325 to 330 ktas, 1,600-nm range, maximum altitude of 34,000 feet and time to climb of 13.5 minutes to FL280. Payload with full fuel (288 gallons) is 1,200 pounds. Avionics are a Garmin G1000 panel with an S-Tec 2100 autopilot. Garmin’s GWX 70 digital radar will be an option.

Epic is currently finishing construction of the last kits for customers who are building the experimental amateur-built version. After selling 54 of the kit version, the company stopped selling kits in October 2013 to focus on the E1000 certification program. Epic has orders for 60 E1000s, and the order book extends through mid-2017.