Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

The first prototype Epic E1000—FT1—made its first flight on December 19 at Oregon’s Bend Municipal Airport. The maiden flight was flown by chief pilot David Robinson and lasted 20 minutes. FT1 is the first of two flight-test articles that will be flown for the E1000 FAA certification program, which is expected to be completed by year-end 2016. FT1 flight testing will include general handling qualities, operational performance, systems operations in normal mode, failure scenarios, extreme conditions and flight-into-known-icing testing, according to Epic Aircraft. FT2 is under construction and “will focus on assessing interior and cabin functionality, including fuel, hydraulic, avionics, navigational and environmental systems.”

 


The $2.95 million, all-composite E1000 is powered by a 1,200-shp (flat-rated) Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PT6A-67A. Performance specifications include a top speed of more than 325 ktas, range of 1,650 nm, maximum altitude 34,000 feet and full-fuel payload of 1,120 pounds. The flight deck is equipped with a three-display Garmin G1000 suite.

 


Epic Aircraft is already working with the FAA on its production certificate and expects to achieve that late this year, shortly after certification. After ramping up production, Epic expects to build 50 E1000s per year.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

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Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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