AOPA E1000 GX Review

Hi, I'm Dave Hirschman, AOPA Media. This is a very large, impressive, powerful turboprop aircraft. So this aircraft was designed as a turboprop from day one. The nose gear is centered up under the mass of the engine. It's not way back at the firewall, which is protective of the propeller. As discussed, it's 1,200 horsepower for takeoff. So it's derated to that horsepower and it'll hold that horsepower to about 8,000 feet or so on a pressure altitude basis. So lots of performance off just about any runway. We're going to bring this airplane to Cedar Key, which is one of the shortest paved strips in Florida. Of all the aircraft demonstrations I've seen, this is probably the most impressive. Not just from a raw power and performance standpoint, although it certainly has that, but the aircraft came and went from a 2,200 foot strip, moderately loaded, and had no problem getting in or out of what most of us would consider quite a short runway. And the combination of the short runway, the rapid acceleration, the fast climb, super high cruise speed, and then, you know, roomy interior, you know, really remarkable. Well, after seeing the Epic up close and going for a flight, all I've got to say is, wow, incredible performance. You know, from the initial acceleration and the climb of nearly 4,000 feet a minute up to altitude and the top speed of 330 knots true, really impressive performance. You know, just from a flying standpoint, it's a real pilot's airplane in the way that it handles and performs. And the variety of things that it could do from short fields to high altitudes to long range is just fairly unique. You know, I look forward to seeing this aircraft over time and as more people discover it and discover its capabilities. In the marketplace, it's sort of positioned between the M700 and the TBM in price. This Epic made in Bend, Oregon really stands out even in that ultra-competitive category of six-seat turboprops. This is an airplane we'll all be hearing quite a lot about.