Epic Aircraft's E1000 single-engine turbo-prop started certification flight testing in late December.
Prototype FT1 flew for 20 minutes on 19 December from Bend Municipal airport in Oregon, with test pilot David Robinson reporting that the aircraft "handled extremely well and performed just as expected."
Epic CEO Doug King said the flight showed the E1000 was on schedule for certification.
"This is a tremendous accomplishment and I couldn't be more proud of our team," he said. "We achieved our goal to fly FT1 by the end of the year, thanks to the hard work, long hours and dedicated commitment of our entire staff."
The second conforming prototype is scheduled to fly in the northern Spring and the company is confident the FAA will award certification sometime in 2016.
Epic oreviously offered the E1000 as a kit only, but the company began the path to certification at the beginning of last year. The aircraft is powered by a 1200 SHP PT-6A turbine, which should give the all-composite airframe a top speed of 325 KTAS.
According to King, the E1000 has a distinct advantage over other SETPs.
"Traditional metal aircraft are at a tremendous disadvantage," he believes. "Carbon fibre is lighter, stronger, more aerodynamic and less expensive to manufacture, providing more speed, payload and performance at a highly competitive price."
Once certified, the E1000 is expected to be priced at $US2.95 million.