Jet Will Accompany Other Offerings To Oshkosh

Epic Aircraft has announced the first flight of its new Elite single-pilot, twin-engine VLJ. The company says the "flawless" first flight Thursday lasted more than 40 minutes, and gave company test pilots Dave Morss and Len Fox the chance to explore the aircraft's control surfaces and low level performance capabilities.

"What an amazingly wonderful airplane to fly!" Fox said after the flight. "It's not often when an airplane actually flies better than we'd expected, but the Elite is one of those aircraft!"

The carbon fiber Elite is powered by two Williams Jet FJ33-4 engines which deliver 3120 pounds of thrust. Epic states the new jet can reach FL410 in less than 17 minutes and boasts a top speed of 410 KTAS. The company expects range at economy cruise to be more than 1600 miles with reserves and 1330 lbs. of usable payload after fuel.

The cockpit features the all-glass Garmin G900X panels, and Epic says the Elite will be RVSM compliant. Like the company's other offerings, Epic notes the Elite will be able to take off with all the seats occupied, and at full fuel and luggage.

The Epic Elite is scheduled to fly into this year's AirVenture at Oshkosh, making its first formal public debut at 10:30 am Monday, July 23rd at AeroShell Square. As ANN reported earlier this year, Epic also expects to fly its single-engine Victory jet into Oshkosh, seven months from a clean sheet design. The jets will accompany Epic's current LT and Dynasty turboprop offerings.

Epic says the Elite Jet will first be available in 2007 as 6-7 passenger owner-built aircraft. A 6-8 passenger version of the jet is expected to be certified in late 2009.

FMI: www.epicaircraft.com