Epic Launches 'Journeys' Certification Story
Bend, Ore (PRWEB) July 16, 2015 -- Epic Aircraft, manufacturer of high performance, all carbon fiber, single-engine turboprop aircraft, today launched the first in a series of video installments, called ‘Epic Journeys’, that will chronicle the design, certification and production of its new E1000 factory-built aircraft. “This is an interesting story. And it’s one that hasn’t really been told before,” said Epic CEO, Doug King.
That is because Epic’s path toward certification is rather unique, as the company has essentially been building E1000 prototypes for the last ten years. The E1000 is based on the design of the company’s Epic LT ‘experimental-class’ model first introduced in 2004. The Epic LT was recognized as an innovator in high-performance all carbon fiber design and for taking the concept of ‘kit’ aircraft to an entirely new level of performance and luxury.
Through its owner-assisted build program, Epic has continuously improved its aircraft performance, features and functionality, evolving the ideal design prototype for the E1000. “We have taken advantage of the collective knowledge and experience gained through building 50 Epic LT kits and applied it directly to our E1000 design and certification efforts. That is a huge advantage,” added King.
The E1000 offers jet-class speed, extended cruise range, short field versatility, impressive payload, spacious cabin, and state-of-the-art flight deck, all at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. “The E1000 all carbon fiber design offers compelling advantages over traditional metal aircraft, including superior strength-to-weight ratio, fewer parts count, improved aerodynamics, better fatigue life, and superior wear resistance. This translates into superior power, performance and payload, and is less expensive to build, own and operate,” says King.
Installment one in the Epic Journeys series, entitled Perfection by Design, focuses on the company’s decision three years ago to integrate industrial design as a core component of its aircraft development program.
“The E1000 has performance and payload that are already changing the industry. And we are adding to that an interior, ergonomics, safety, styling, comfort, attention to detail that will raise the bar across all aircraft,” commented Industrial Designer, Jamie Klopp, an instrument-rated private pilot who spent eight years in the auto industry before joining Epic.
The design team’s first priority was a complete overhaul of the E1000 flight deck. “In a flight deck environment, the density of design is very high. We met this challenge by fundamentally rethinking how crew areas are packaged and presented to pilots,” explained Klopp. “Epic succeeded in making this highly complex and capable aircraft feel intuitive and fun for its pilots, engaging them at every touch point, striving for perfection in every detail.”
Among the key E1000 flight deck design priorities were:
- Enhance the Design of the Yoke
- Consolidate Pilot Workflow
- Improve Critical Data Assimilation
“We are very proud of this result. We intended to make a statement about our commitment to design, and I think we achieved that goal,” said Klopp.
ABOUT EPIC AIRCRAFT
Headquartered in Bend, Oregon, Epic Aircraft is a privately-held, design-driven aviation company that conducts all of its engineering and manufacturing operations in the United States. Epic specializes in the development of high performance, all composite, six-seat single-engine, turboprop aircraft. The company currently employs over 180 staff at its headquarters location. For additional information about Epic Aircraft, please visit: http://www.epicaircraft.com
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Mike Schrader, Epic Aircraft, http://www.epicaircraft.com, +1 541-604-0102, [email protected]
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