The Garmin GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar has received FAA certification for installation on the Epic Aircraft E1000, E1000 GX and the newly certified E1000 AX. This news follows Epic's recent milestone achievement announced on opening day at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin: the FAA type certification of its latest high-performance, single-engine, turbine model, the E1000 AX.

“The Garmin GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar is now available as an optional upgrade for our certified models,” says Doug King, CEO of Epic Aircraft. “E1000 AX customers who selected the radar option will receive their aircraft with it installed. All existing E1000 and E1000 GX aircraft are already pre-wired for radar, and installation can be completed in the field through one of our authorised service centres.”

The Garmin GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar is a Doppler-enabled system featuring a 10-inch antenna housed in a laminar flow radome. Designed to deliver enhanced weather awareness and situational clarity, the system offers a robust set of capabilities: full antenna stabilisation for accurate readings in dynamic flight conditions; horizontal and vertical scanning profiles to build detailed storm profiles; ground clutter suppression for cleaner, more reliable returns; WATCH technology to identify potential radar shadowing zones; expanded colour palette to depict greater detail with up to four times more colours than conventional radar; ground mapping mode that displays real-time geographic terrain features; StormOptix volumetric auto-scan to analyse the size, shape and intensity of storm cells; advanced lightning and hail prediction for proactive weather avoidance; and turbulence detection to help pilots anticipate and avoid rough air.

“Our engineering and flight test teams worked closely to integrate the radar in a way that preserves the aircraft's performance,” continues King. “The StormOptix certification reflects their dedication to both innovation and safety.”