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$3M[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 and development
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]
In October 2014 the manufacturer introduced the interior design which includes features such as club seating, SPD-Smart Electronically Dimmable Window (EDW) Systems, 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.[7][8]
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]
In early 2014 the design was forecast for its first flight in June 2015, with certification expected later in 2015, but the first flight finally occurred on 19 December 2015 and certification at that time was expected in mid-2016.[1][3][4][5][9] At that time the company forecast commencing deliveries in 2016.[1][4][10][11] 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.[12]
In February 2014 Epic confirmed it had ten orders for the type,[10] and by October 2014 had 60 orders. By December 2015 it reported "more than" 60 orders. The company forecasts selling 50 aircraft per year.[1][2]
Specifications (E1000)
Data from Durden, Bergqvist and Epic Aircraft[3][6][13]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: five passengers
- Length: 35 ft 10 in (10.92 m)
- Wingspan: 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m)
- Height: 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m)
- Wing area: 203 sq ft (18.9 m2)
- Empty weight: 4,400 lb (1,996 kg)
- Gross weight: 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) , 1,120lb payload at full fuel[14]
- Fuel capacity: 300 U.S. gallons (1,100 L; 250 imp gal) total, 288 U.S. gallons (1,090 L; 240 imp gal) usable
- Cabin altitude: 8,000ft at 31,000ft
- Cabin height: 4.9ft
- Cabin width: 4.6ft
- Cabin length: 15ft
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-67A turboprop aircraft engine, 1,200 hp (890 kW)
- Propellers: 4-bladed Hartzell Propeller fully feathering and reversible
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 0.60
- Cruise speed: 325 kn (374 mph; 602 km/h) true airspeed
- Stall speed: 61 kn (70 mph; 113 km/h) flaps and landing gear down (projected)
- Never exceed speed: 280 kn (322 mph; 519 km/h) indicated airspeed
- Range: 1,650[2] nmi (1,899 mi; 3,056 km) (1385 nmi at maximum cruise speed)
- Service ceiling: 34,000 ft (10,000 m)
- Maximum glide ratio: 17.5:1
- Rate of climb: 4,000 ft/min (20 m/s)
- Time to altitude: 15 minutes to 34,000 feet
- Rate of sink: 700 ft/min (3.6 m/s)
- Wing loading: 36.9 lb/sq ft (180 kg/m2)
- Take-off field length: 1,600 feet [14]
- Fuel burn: 55 gallons per hour at 305 ktas cruise. Sea level: 90gph@full power[6]
Avionics
- Garmin G1000 or Garmin G950 glass cockpit with a synthetic vision system
- S-Tec IntelliFlight 2100 autopilot
- Mid- Continent MD302 electronic backup instruments
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Epic E1000 Prototype Completes First Flight". AVweb. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
- 1 2 3 Sarsfield, Kate (21 October 2014), "Epic E1000 turboprop-single makes show debut", Flightglobal, Reed Business Information, retrieved 24 October 2014
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Durden, Rick (May 2014): Epic E1000: Big Power and Speed, Aviation Consumer.
- 1 2 3 Sarsfield, Kate (30 March 2015). "Epic readies E1000 turboprop single for June first flight". Flight Global. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
- 1 2 "Epic Targets E1000 Certification In 2015". AVweb. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
- 1 2 3 Bergqvist, Pia: "Epic Journey", Flying, November 2014, pages 52-58.
- ↑ Bergqvist, Pia (23 October 2014). "Epic E1000 New Interior Unveiled at NBAA". Flying Magazine. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ↑ "SPD-Smart Aircraft Window Systems: Dramatically Improving the Passenger Experience". Cable News Network. 27 October 2014. Archived from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ↑ Epic Aircraft (19 July 2015), Epic Aircraft Prepares For Production Ramp In Tandem With Certification, retrieved 03 August 2015
- 1 2 Schrader, Mike (3 February 2014). "FAA Certification On Schedule For Epic Aircraft" (PDF). Epic Aircraft. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ↑ "Epic E1000 Certification Now 2016". AVweb. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
- ↑ "Epic prepares production-conforming E1000 for first flight". Flight Global. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
- ↑ Epic Aircraft (2014). "Pricing and Specifications". Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- 1 2 Bergqvist, Pia (30 October 2014). "Epic E1000 Versus the World: Comparison Specs". Flying (magazine). Retrieved 9 April 2015.