Epic Elite Cruises Past 385 Knots

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Epic Aircraft, maker of turbine-powered kit and to-be-certified aircraft, says that its six-plus-two-seat twin Williams FJ-33-4 powered Elite jet has in test flights consistently logged cruise speeds “in excess of 385 KTAS.” The company says that makes the Elite “the undisputed fastest very light jet in the world.” For those who are interested in both apples and oranges, the claim doesn’t yet make the Elite a certified option and Honda is expected to chime in with its 420-knot (and certified) eight-seat HondaJet sometime near 2010. Epic’s Web site says that “current estimates point to certification of the 6-8 seat Elite in the next two and a half years.” The aircraft falls in line with Epic’s standing commitment to “take off with all the seats occupied, full fuel and luggage.” Let the 1330 pounds of available payload after fuel be your ruler for that equation. Epic delivered well on its early promises of bringing aircraft from design to market and was rewarded for the work.

The company says debuts of its Elite twin-jet and Victory four-plus-one-seat single-engine jet (not yet slated for certification) earned more than $60 million in gross sales. Pricing and availability are offered by Epic in response to online inquiries. Recent news reports have place Epic’s certification plans in both Canada and Georgia (the one overseas) with final plans to be determined.

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