B/CA Show News - NBAA 2007 Day 1 - (Page 46) NEW AIRCRAFT N BA A 2007 continued from page 44 Epic Dynasty and LT Extra EA-500 between 288 (economy) and 340 kts at up to 31,000 feet. IFR range, with reserves, is 1,200 nmi, extending to 1,844 if the optional larger tanks are installed. Price is $1,950,000, but what that includes is vague, as avionics, panel and interior options are still TBD. Verdict: Getting there Extra EA-500 The logical installation of a 450-shp Rolls-Royce 250 turboprop and Honeywell APEX avionics in the slow-selling—and now dormant—Extra EA-400 promised to reinvigorate this attractive, German airplane. Retaining the all-composites airframe and roomy, six-place pressurized cabin of its predecessor, but now able to cover 1,600 nmi (plus 45 minutes) at up to 25,000 feet, the EA-500 prototype was flown by Walter Extra from Germany to the NBAA’s 2003 Convention at Orlando. High cruise speed is 225 kts; 173 for best economy. Deliveries of the EA-500 were then due before the end of 2004 but failed to take place, despite European day VFR certification in that year and GAP Kestrel JP100 A perceived vast market for a true call-up-and-fly aerial taxi, operating from any small, local airfield, was the raison d’être of what was then called the Farnborough F1, prompting its adoption of a highlift laminar flow wing and almost totally composite structure. After the original British company filed for bankruptcy, Farnborough Aircraft Corporation Ltd. picked up the baton in 2002 and began a close collaboration with Epic Aircraft of the U.S. The prototype of the resulting new-shape airplane, strongly resembling Epic’s LT, was built in the U.S. but then became the victim of a lawsuit. Eventually released, it made its first flight on Epic Escape Escapes are best made with speed—and that is just what Epic offers: “The fastest pressurized singleengine turboprop in the world. Period. No caveats, no stipulations, no exceptions,” it says in the sales pitch. The only possible drawback is that you have to build it yourself and fly under Experimental rules. This 92-percent scale Epic LT (see above) carries up to five occupants at a maximum (RVSM- Epic Escape GAP Kestrel JP100 limited) 28,000 feet. Speed is 300 kts if you’re counting the pennies or stretching the range; 365 maximum cruise; and 412 flat-out. Turboprop power is 1,000 shp, but the name on the enginemaker’s plate is another of Epic’s TBDs for the moment. Range with full pax load is 1,300 nmi. The aircraft has yet to fly, but kits will be available from 2Q2008. Verdict: Getting there 46 addition of a second prototype. Other delivery dates have come and gone, but Extra says the order book for the $1.345 million aircraft is “substantial” and continues with promotion while turning out its popular EA-200/EA-300 aerobatic planes. Earlier this year, Extra said it would not launch the EA-500 in the U.S. because of product liability concerns. Verdict: Getting there (but not here) July 29, 2006, and transferred to England soon after; next stop after fitting a VIP interior was Abu Dhabi, where Gulf Aircraft Partnership (GAP) is promoting it as the JP100 and will assist in its gaining FAA/EASA certification by 2008—given the small matter of the required $100 million nextstep investment. No public announcements have been made in the past year. The six-seater has a continued on page 48 September 25, 2007 www.aviationweek.com/shownews http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews
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