AIR EPIC ELITE

TYPE: Private jet.

PROGRAMME: Announced (as Epic Jet) at the NBAA Convention in Las Vegas 20 October 2004; development is jointly with TAM-AIR of Tbilisi, Georgia; fuselage mockup unveiled at EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh, 27 July 2005; first flight of prototype scheduled for October 2005 but delayed, in part by legal dispute with Farnborough Aircraft over rights to wing design. AIR elected to transfer development and production of aircraft to Canada, where prototype (C-GROL) registered in July 2006, coincident with announcement of name, Elite. Although structurally complete, C-GROL was unable to fly for legal reasons and did not make planned debut at Oshkosh in July 2006; in satisfaction of court ruling, new wing design was purchased from Germany and fitted to aircraft in latter part of 2006. Certification due in late 2008. Two production lines planned: AIR supplying aircraft to North American market; TAM to rest of world.

CUSTOMERS: By July 2005, six Epic LT customers had also purchased Epic Jets.

COSTS: USD2.35 million, certified (2006).

DESIGN FEATURES: Based on Epic LT turboprop with two podded, rear-mounted turbofan engines and T tail. Revised (2006) wing design has two-step sweep on outer panels.

STRUCTURE: Mostly carbon fibre composites with high fuselage and systems commonality with Epic LT.

LANDING GEAR: Tricycle type; retractable.

POWER PLANT: Two rear-mounted Williams FJ33-4 turbofan engines, rated at 8.45 to 8.00 kN (1,900 lb st). Max fuel capacity 1,211 litres (320 US gallons; 266.5 Imp gallons).

ACCOMMODATION: Six to eight seats in pressurised cabin. Payload with full fuel and 54 kg (120 lb) baggage is seven seats.

SYSTEMS: Pressurisation system, maximum differential 0.6 bar (8.5 lb/sq in).

AVIONICS: Garmin 1000 as core system.

DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL:

  • Wing span: 13.41 m (44 ft 0 in)
  • Length overall: 11.91 m (39 ft 11 in)
  • Height overall: 3.78 m (12 ft 5 in)

DIMENSIONS, INTERNAL:

  • Cabin: Length: 5.18 m (17 ft 0 in)
  • Max width: 1.48 m (4 ft 9 in)
  • Max height: 1.52 m (5 ft 0 in)

WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS:

  • Weight empty: 1,814 kg (4,000 lb)
  • Payload with standard fuel: 603 kg (1,330 lb)
  • Max T-O weight: 3,492 kg (7,700 lb)
  • Max power loading: 230 kg/kN (2.26 lb/lb st)

PERFORMANCE (estimated):

  • Max cruising speed: 412 kt (763 km/h; 474 mph)
  • Econ cruising speed: 385 kt (713 km/h; 443 mph)
  • Certified ceiling: 12,495 m (41,000 ft)
  • Time to FL410: 17 min
  • Range with six passengers at econ cruising speed: 1,400 n miles (2,592 km; 1,611 miles)