Epic Wins FAA Certification for E1000 Turboprop Single
With its FAA type certificate in hand, Epic Aircraft expects to begin deliveries of its E1000 single-engine turboprop before the end of year.
Epic Aircraft has received FAA Type Certification for its speedy E1000 single-engine turboprop, the certificated version of its LT experimental kit aircraft which was introduced in 2005. (Photo: Barry Ambrose)

Epic Aircraft has received FAA type certification for its all-composite E1000 turboprop single, marking the conclusion of a seven-year test program, the Bend, Oregon-based company announced today. The E1000 is based on the company’s experimental LT kit model, which was introduced in 2005 through an owner-assist build program at its Bend headquarters.


“Transitioning that design into a certified version was the chance to offer a truly compelling product to the industry,” said Epic CEO Doug King, noting the company has orders for more than 80 E1000s. “We had some opportunities to speed things up along the way, to get certification earlier, but that would have required some tradeoffs that we weren’t willing to make.”


Powered by a 1,200-shp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67A, the six-seat airplane has a climb rate of 3,000 feet per minute, 34,000-foot ceiling, 1,650-nm NBAA IFR range, and maximum cruise speed of 325 knots, making it one of the fastest aircraft in its class. The $3.25 million E1000 is also equipped with Garmin G1000 avionics.


As it ramps up production, Epic has doubled its composite fabrication capacity—investing in more tooling, equipment, and curing ovens—and increased its schedule to two manufacturing shifts. The first seven customer E1000s are currently on the production line, with deliveries scheduled to start by year-end. Epic also expects to receive production certification in the first quarter.