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First Flight Gallery: Epic Aviation Elite
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Read the original first flight press release:
TAM/AIR's Epic Elite Jet Makes Picture-Perfect First Flight!
Bend, Oregon (June 7, 2007)—TAM/AIR, a division of Epic Aircraft, announced a flawless first flight of its new Elite, a single-pilot, twin-engine VLJ. This initial flight 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!” said Epic CEO and President, Rick Schrameck. “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 FJ-33-4 engines which deliver 3120 pounds of thrust. The new jet can reach FL410 in less than 17 minutes and boasts a sizzling top speed of 410 KTAS. Its range at economy cruise is more than 1600 miles with reserves and 1330 lbs. of usable payload after fuel. The state-of-the-art cockpit features the all-glass Garmin G900X panels and the Elite will be RVSM compliant. True to design for all Epic Aircraft, the Elite can take off with all the seats occupied, 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 10:30am, Monday, July 23rd at AeroShell Square.
AirVenture 2007 attendees will enjoy Epic's first 'Family Vacation' when the Elite jet is joined by the record breaking Epic LT and Dynasty, now in certification testing in Canada. The company's second jet, the single-engine Victory, will also fly into Oshkosh, a mere seven months from a clean sheet design.
Consistent with the Epic Aircraft business model, 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. Delivery positions on all Epic Aircraft are now available.
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