Story ID: 021ITWAINJun12
In The Works: Epic Aircraft E1000
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: 
Word Count: 194
Following the purchase of kit-builder Epic Aircraft by Russian MRO provider Engineering llc, Epic has launched an effort to achieve FAA certification of the six-seat, pressurized, composite Epic LT. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-67, the LT is currently offered as a kit in the experimental aircraft category.

Under the leadership of former founder, chairman and CEO Rick Schramek, the Epic companies (Aircraft Investors Resources, Epic Air and Aircraft Completion Services) went bankrupt in 2009. That iteration of Epic had planned to certify various versions of Epic turboprop and jet models, but none ever received FAA certification. LT Builders Group purchased the assets of the company in April 2010 for $4.3 million.

The new Epic Aircraft, backed by funding from its Russian parent, plans to certify the Epic LT and is currently hiring people with the required skills. Some of the open positions at Epic include aircraft certification, manufacturing and quality managers as well as technicians and sales personnel.

Doug King, Epic CEO, said that the goal is to certify the single-engine LT turboprop in three years and that the target sale price is $2.5 to $3 million.