Epic Dynasty - I want one of these

[IO540]

I hope this (http://www.epicaircraft.com/Dynasty.html)doesn't become yet another dead project. It's arguably the most interesting new turboprop out at present. Great range, much cheaper than the TBM700 and should be cheaper to run too.

[BEagle]

Originally the Richard Noble Farnborough Aircraft F1, I believe?

Figures look good - but is there a market? It would be nice to think so - and if the CAA finally wakes up to single pilot single turboprop IFR for commercial aviation, perhaps a useful air taxi?

[gcolyer]

It would make a nice replacement for the PA32!!! (although she serves me well)

At $2m (ish) I think I better start saving.

[WildDart]

It is an amazing bit of kit, i prefer the TBM 850 however as its more powerful with a top speed of 320 ish knots and range of nearly 3000 km its my destiny to own one! HEHE

Check out youtube ect to see a video of it, it really does blow your legs off!

Well if you think about it the spitfire had a top speed of 335 knots, so its nothing new, but still i wouldn't say no. Im glad props are fighting back!

Nathan

[sternone]

What do you think about the Epic 500 Turboprop ?

http://www.extraaircraft.com/ea500.asp

[IO540]

You mean Extra 500.

Very interesting too. The "MPG" is better than any of the PT6 engines planes, but you have to like a high wing :)

I agree the TBM850 is very good but - assuming the Epic does get certified etc etc - the purchase and operating cost is higher than most things out there.

Turboprops are not just fighting back. They have always been there, delivering more range / payload etc than the light jets. They are just a bit slower and can't fly quite so high, but once you are above 25k you are above most of it anyway. A prop is more efficient than a jet.

[OVC002]

The TBM850 seems to be a very fine aircraft. However its PT6-66D is 850 shp.

I believe the Dynasty is going to use the -67A at 1200 shp. Cruising at 340kt's. IFR range 1874 NM with full seats, as opposed to 900NM for the TBM. Priced at $1.95m, compared to $2.85m.

If they do manage to make it there really isn't any question.

[High Wing Drifter]

I seem to be noticing more and more TP singles overflying my house (Farnborough area) these days.

[IO540]

Yes, you can pick up an old Meridian for a few hundred k, if you aren't too fussy. For crude mission capability, for 2-person long range travelling, combined with the reliability of a turbine, you probably can't beat it.

The Jetprop (a 3rd party PT6 conversion of the piston Mirage) is another - just below 2000kg so way cheaper to run IFR in Europe.

[OVC002]

If your mission is 2 or 3 people going 300 to 500NM then the Meridian or JetProp is the winner hands down.

You get 10 extra kts out of the Meridian at the cost of 10 usg p/h of Jet A. I am led to believe there is a MTOW dodge similar to the Seneca's that allows the Meridian to be certified at 1999kg, so the nav charges thing might be, um, avoided.

IMHO the JP is much the finer aircraft.

To take six adults 1000NM at 340kts is a dream. Single engine, below RVSM. Only the Epic is capable of fulfilling it.

If they manage it.......

[AdamFrisch]

What happened to Extra? Heard they went bankrupt and then got resurrected. Is the Extra 500 certified and available?

[Wrong Stuff]

IMHO the JP is much the finer aircraft.
OVC002 - could I ask what factors in your opinion make the JP much finer?

[OVC002]

could I ask what factors in your opinion make the JP much finer?

Inter alia and starting at the beginning, the JP takes off and lands in half the distance.

Initial climb is twice the rate. Even at FL200 it's the same.

10kt slower but 10gph less Jet A1.

Depending on the mission £70-100ph lower DOC.

There are others.

The case is pretty compelling.

It really comes down to the -35 compared to the -42a.

Darwin was spot on. Piper c0cked up.

It is only my opinion.

[Wrong Stuff]

Many thanks OVC002.

[IO540]

Why is the Jetprop slower yet has 2x the climb rate?

[sternone]

What happened to Extra? Heard they went bankrupt and then got resurrected. Is the Extra 500 certified and available?


I called last week with the factory in germany, the said they delivered 13 extra 500 planes and are building them now at a rate of 1 a month....

[OVC002]

Why is the Jetprop slower yet has 2x the climb rate?
The JetProp uses the -35 version of the PT6a. It has a single stage compressor and is rated at 750shp thermodynamically, but de-rated to 560shp.

The Meridian uses the -42a. It uses a dual stage compressor and is rated at 1029shp thermodynamically, but de-rated to 500shp.


Thus at take off the JP has 560shp driving 4,300lbs, whilst the Meridian has 500shp pushing 5,092lbs. Hence the difference in TODR and initial climb.


However the -42a maintains its power to a higher level than the -35. At FL200 the climb rates are much the same. By 250 the Meridian will climb a little better, but not by much, and in any case on most flights we stop climb around that level.

It means that the meridian is faster than the JP at max cruise. But the price is higher fuel flow, no forward luggage compartment and Eurocontrol charges/higher landing fees.