Epic E1000

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Epic Model: E1000 Nickname: none
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane SE Turboprop
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane SE Land
> Engine Description: single P&W PT6A-67A (1200 SHP)

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/2/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 16
> Number of Times Flown: 10
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: E1000, E1000GX

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 181
> Date First Flown: 9/27/2019
> Location First Flown: Bend Airport, OR (KBDN)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Epic Aircraft, Peter Stiles

Recollections: The Epic E1000 is produced by the Epic Aircraft Company of Bend, Oregon.  The design started out as an experimental, amatuer built (aka “Homebuilt” or “Kit Built”) and–in a rare and impressive turn of events–was then moved into the Certified world, receiving FAA Type Certification in 2019.  At a distance the kit built and certified airplanes appear the same but there were a number of changes required to achieve FAA certification. 

I was not the primary FAA pilot for the certification program (which is a bummer!) but I was able to fly the airplane several times for a modified version (5 bladed propeller and incorporation of the Garmin autopilot), including autopilot hard over tests and takeoff and landing performance.

The Epic is an amazing performer.  It’s fast and easy to fly.  From a procedural perspective, the airplane is very easy to operate because the cockpit is simply and extremely well laid out.  Now that I’ve left the FAA I can publicly state that the E1000 is REALLY a remarkably easy airplane to operate and fly. If I was rich, I’d buy one!