Epic Elite Jet

The kit-built very light jet designed for owner-flown performance

Overview

Epic United States 2009–Onward $2.4 million

The Epic Elite was a kit-built very light jet developed to offer high performance in the emerging personal jet market. Introduced in the mid-2000s, it targeted experienced owner-builders seeking turbine speed and efficiency. The aircraft blended composite construction with modern avionics in a compact six-seat design.

Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Williams International FJ-33-4
Engine type
Jet
Thrust
2 × 1,560 lbf · 7 kN
Avionics
Garmin G900X avionics
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
8 economy · 6 business
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
—
Tail height
—
Fuselage diameter
—
Wing span
—
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
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Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
374,000 lb  ·  170,000 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
1,350 lb  ·  600 kg
Fuel capacity
Max cruise speed
410 kt  ·  472 mph  ·  759 km/h
Maximum speed
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Cruise speed
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Approach speed
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Range
—
Fuel burn
11.43 nm/gal  ·  5.59 km/L
Ceiling
—
Rate of climb
—
Takeoff distance
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Landing distance
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Operational Context

Epic Elite — kit-built very light jet

The Epic Elite first flew in 2004 as part of Epic Aircraft’s early product lineup. Unlike fully certified business jets, the Elite was sold in kit form under experimental regulations, allowing owners to complete assembly. The aircraft featured an all-composite airframe with a low wing and swept tail surfaces, reflecting contemporary light jet design trends.

Powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F turbofan engine producing approximately 900 pounds of thrust (4.0 kN), the Elite cruises at around 325 knots (600 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight is roughly 4,000 pounds (1,815 kg). Typical seating accommodates up to six occupants depending on configuration, with a pressurized cabin designed for high-altitude operations.

The Elite represented an ambitious effort to bring jet performance to the experimental market. However, certification and financial challenges limited production numbers. The program later evolved into the fully certified Epic E1000 turboprop, marking a strategic shift in the company’s direction. Although produced in small numbers, the Epic Elite remains a notable chapter in very light jet development during the early 2000s.