Bend’s Epic Aircraft ramping back up from March layoffs, delivers first 2 E1000 planes
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Epic Aircraft said Thursday it has completed delivery of its first two E1000 all composite, single-engine turboprop aircraft, following the successful conclusion of its FAA Type Certification program last year.
“Completing these deliveries is a tremendous milestone for our company and our customers. The E1000 is a remarkable aircraft and seeing the enthusiasm of our owners as they take delivery is extremely gratifying. This is the successful culmination of eight years of hard work, extensive investment, and a passionate belief in our product,” said Epic CEO Doug King said in a news release announcing the deliveries.
The first customer aircraft, delivered in February, is being leased back to Epic to support several priority engineering projects. The second aircraft was delivered to its owner last week, after experiencing several delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said.
“When I decided to purchase an Epic, I could see that this is the aircraft of the future,” commented Epic owner, Bay Area resident Lawrence Brooke, upon taking delivery of his E1000. “Nothing can match the combination of speed, range, payload, comfort, versatility, and affordability as an Epic E1000.”
Powered by the Pratt & Whitney 1200-horsepower PT6A-67A, the all carbon fiber E1000 cruises over 330 knots, climbs at 4,000 feet per minute, offers a full-fuel payload of nearly 1,100 pounds, with coast to coast coverage on one fuel stop, and is RVSM certified to 34,000 feet.
“This is a true performance aircraft able to compete directly with my Phenom 100, but at less than half the operating cost. Plus, it provides access to shorter airstrips that jets just can’t reach,” added Brooke. “Epic is an innovative company that complements its exceptional engineering and technology with a highly personalized approach to doing business. As a customer, I feel like part of a family.”
Despite the recent pandemic-related setbacks, Epic operations are returning to full capacity, the company said, and the company intends to ramp up customer deliveries as quickly as possible.
The company laid off most of its 325 workers at the Bend Airport factory in March. Mike Schrader, Epic's sales and marketing manager, told NewsChannel 21 Thursday they have rehired about half the laid-off workforce.
The company's effort to get FAA production certification was in its final stages when stalled by the pandemic, but Schrader said the agency "has allowed us to work remotely with them. It has delayed our production certificate some, but we can still build and deliver them."
King added, “The challenges presented by COVID-19 have been unexpected and considerable. But never underestimate the skills and determination of our dedicated staff, who have persevered, engineered, and improvised in order to keep our production lines moving, so we can deliver planes and meet customer expectations. We have an incredible team, and I am honored to work with them.”
Epicsaid it has advance E1000 deposits from customers in the US, Canada, Mexico, Central/South America, Europe, Russia and South Africa. The company owns production facilities totaling over 300,000 square feet at its Bend Airport headquarters.
