Epic Aircraft's E1000 GX single-engine turboprop aircraft has received type certificate approval from the Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil (ANAC) of Brazil.

"Over the last four months, Epic Aircraft has worked closely with the Brazilian regulators to achieve ANAC certification of the E1000 GX," says CEO Doug King. "This is a huge accomplishment in such a short time."

The company received FAA type certification in 2021, and in August this year, Latin American operator Avantto placed an order for 34 E1000 GX planes for its fractional programme, with deliveries spanning five years. The first two E1000 GXs are scheduled to be delivered by the end of the month.

"We want to thank the FAA and ANAC for all their hard work," King adds. “We are excited to launch our sales in Brazil and join Avantto in providing top-notch aviation solutions to the Latin American market."

The FAA has also now granted Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) certification for the turboprop.

"This certification process is one of the most challenging," says King. "We began testing several years ago, flying the E1000 GX in all of the FAA-specified natural icing conditions. This FAA certification establishes that the E1000 GX can withstand known icing conditions in a real-world operating environment with minimal changes required of the airplane."

The first test flight began with artificial ice shapes, which were 3D printed at the Epic factory in Bend, Oregon. Since that time, more than 450 flight hours on three test aircraft have been recorded, many of which were conducted in natural icing conditions in several locations in the US. Epic Aircraft also performed extensive tests with the E1000 GX in normal operation and ice protection system failure conditions in icing tunnels and with artificial ice shapes to simulate ice build up attached to the aircraft's airfoils. Over 18 different icing configurations in two different icing wind tunnels were executed, for a total of 280 hours of icing wind tunnel test.

The E1000 GX's de-icing system includes an optical ice detector, de-ice boots on the wings, horizontal stabiliser leading edges, engine inlet, as well as bleed air heated windshield and electrically heated propeller, air data probes and AOA sensors.

"Beginning with our first aircraft delivery in 2024, the E1000 GX will incorporate the minimal changes required for FIKI. Previously delivered certified airplanes, including the E1000, will require modifications and will be retrofitted at our factory service centre in Bend, Oregon," King concludes. "Our goal is to have the existing fleet completed no later than early 2025."