Epic Jet

Epic is another entry into the Very Light Jet Market. The relatively new company makes one other plane, the Epic LT turboprop which is now being produced for customers. Epic’s new plane is in the prototype stage and they plan to fly to the National Business Aviation Association convention in November and to the next air show at Dubai. Certification is scheduled for the third quarter of 2006. Epic sells planes both as already built and as “kit” planes. The to-be-certified Epic Jet is priced at $2 million but a “kit” version will be available for $1.6 million to customers who share in the building at Epic’s plant at Bend, Oregon or at the Tbilisi Aviation Machine in the Republic of Georgia (the former Soviet Union), Epic’s partner. The little carbon fiber jet can cover 1,600 nautical miles at 426 knots. The jet holds six passengers.