Epic Gains Production Certificate on E1000

Epic Aircraft announced on July 23 that it had obtained the production certificate on the E1000 turboprop from the FAA, allowing for it to manufacture and flight test the airplane with a reduced presence from the agency.

“Achieving [the] FAA Production Certificate is tremendous milestone,” said Epic Aircraft CEO Doug King. “It is a rigorous process involving the approval of a vast number of documents, processes and systems, with composites adding additional complexity. This approval validates the extraordinary efforts of our team and the extensive investments we have made in our world-class manufacturing and quality control systems.”

Epic Aircraft began the process of applying for the production certificate in conjunction with its pursuit of the original type certification on the model, which meant that the milestone has been in the works for several years. The company was all ready to complete the FAA’s final audit—the step ahead of the final certification—earlier this year, when the coronavirus pandemic scuttled those plans. According to the company, “The FAA and Epic collaborated to devise new processes, using remote technologies, to conduct the required series of reviews and audits, prior to the final onsite assessment.”

Epic has delivered three of the E1000 turboprops to customers this year, with plans in place to drive more forward following the award of the production certificate. The E1000 received Flying’s 2020 Innovation Award for its high- and low-speed capability, efficiency, and high-end design.