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How to Buy a Epic E1000 / E1000 GX / E1000 AX: Buyer's Guide
A carbon-fiber, single-engine turboprop that cruises above 320 knots, aimed at experienced owner-pilots who want jet-like speed without a jet.
Updated October 2026 · Market data from 10 live fyiAero listings, the FAA registry and NTSB records
Overview
The Epic E1000 is a six-seat, pressurized, single-engine turboprop built almost entirely of carbon fiber by Epic Aircraft in Bend, Oregon. It grew out of the Epic LT, a kit-built experimental that earned a reputation for speed but went through years of corporate turmoil. The certified E1000 that emerged is a factory-built, Part 23 airplane powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A turning a four-blade composite Hartzell propeller. In practice it is one of the fastest piston-to-turbine step-up airplanes on the market. fyiAero's operating estimate puts cruise at 322 knots and range at 1,560 nautical miles.
This is a small, young fleet. The FAA registry shows 123 E1000-family aircraft registered in the U.S., and fyiAero listings currently show 10 for sale: four E1000 GX, four E1000 and two E1000 AX. Asking prices run from $1,899,000 to $5,400,000, with a median of $4,100,000 and a median airframe time of just 440 hours. Most airplanes you see will be low-time, late-model and still close to factory spec, so condition differences come down to avionics generation, engine program status, warranty and history rather than high airframe hours.
Because the fleet is so new and the market so thin, comparable sales are scarce, and individual listings can swing the averages a lot. Treat any price as a starting point. Value is driven by generation (original, GX or AX), engine program enrollment, remaining factory warranty, damage history and options.
Who it's for. The E1000 suits an owner-pilot who regularly flies 500 to 1,500 nautical mile trips with family or business associates and wants to do it in the flight levels at turboprop-jet speeds, single-pilot. Typical buyers step up from a Cirrus SR22T, Piper M-class, Malibu or TBM. No type rating is required, but you will need high-performance, complex and high-altitude endorsements, plus real turbine and pressurized experience to be insurable at reasonable rates. Expect underwriters to require factory or approved simulator-based initial training and recurrent training every year. Low-time pilots may be asked to fly with a mentor pilot for a set number of hours, or may be quoted very high premiums with low liability limits. Get an insurance quote before you make an offer, not after.
Generations and variants
| Version | Years | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| Epic LT (experimental predecessor) | 2006-2019 | This was the kit-built, amateur-assisted ancestor of the E1000, with a similar layout and PT6 power. It is a separate, uncertified airplane with different insurance, maintenance and resale realities, so do not confuse an LT listing with a certified E1000. |
| E1000 | 2019-2020 | This is the first FAA-certified production model, with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics, a PT6A-67A and a carbon-fiber airframe. These early-production airplanes tend to be the lower-priced entry point, but check closely for completed factory updates and service bulletins. |
| E1000 GX | 2020-2023 | The GX added refinements to the avionics suite, cabin and systems over the original certified airplane, including expanded Garmin capability and comfort upgrades. GX models make up a large share of current listings and sit in the middle of the price range. |
| E1000 AX | 2023-present | The AX adds Garmin Autonomi safety features, including Autoland and autothrottle, plus further interior and avionics refinements. These features carry a clear price premium, and the newest AX airplanes anchor the top of the asking range. |
What a Epic E1000 / E1000 GX / E1000 AX costs to buy
3 priced listings on fyiAero right now ask between $1,899,000 and $5,400,000, with a median of $4,100,000 and a median of 440 hours total time. Against fyiEstimate, 0 are priced below estimate, 0 within range and 1 above.
- fyiAero listings show asking prices from $1,899,000 to $5,400,000 with a $4,100,000 median. A price far below the median, like the $1,899,000 2024 listing in the current sample, demands an explanation. It could be a partial-ownership arrangement, a damage history, a data error or something else, so verify before you get excited.
- Airframe time is not the main value driver yet. The median listed airframe time is 440 hours, and airplanes under 1,000 hours carry a median asking price of $4,750,000. Generation, engine program status and warranty matter more than a few hundred hours.
- Know which generation you are looking at. In the current sample, the 2025 airplane asks $5,400,000 and the 2023 airplane asks $4,100,000, reflecting the AX feature set and newer equipment. Confirm the exact model and options from the logbooks and equipment list, not just the listing headline.
- Engine program enrollment, such as a Pratt & Whitney ESP plan, and transferable factory warranty can add meaningful value and reduce your risk. Get written confirmation of program status, coverage level and transfer terms.
- With only 10 airplanes for sale out of a U.S. fleet of 123, the market is thin and sellers know it. Be patient, broaden your search nationwide, and ask Epic about factory-direct or factory-assisted resale airplanes as well.
Average asking price by model year
Pre-buy inspection checklist
Have a shop that knows the type do the pre-buy, and ask them to research every applicable AD and service bulletin. Pay particular attention to:
- Carbon-fiber airframe inspection. Composite damage from ground handling, hangar rash, hail or hard landings can hide under paint. A shop experienced with carbon structures should do a tap test or other nondestructive check of high-risk areas and review any repair records.
- Lightning strike and electrical bonding history. Composite airframes depend on embedded conductive mesh for lightning protection. Any strike history needs documented inspection and repair per factory guidance.
- PT6A-67A borescope and hot section review. A borescope of the hot section and compressor, plus review of engine trend monitoring data, tells you far more about engine health than the hours alone.
- Engine program and maintenance records. Confirm enrollment status, any program arrears, and that inspections were done on schedule. Program gaps can cost a lot to reinstate.
- Propeller condition and records. Composite prop blades should be checked for erosion, leading-edge damage and delamination. Confirm overhaul and inspection compliance.
- Landing gear and retraction system. Inspect gear actuation, brakes, tires and wear points, and do a gear swing on jacks to confirm proper operation and indications.
- Pressurization and environmental system. Run a pressurization check to confirm the cabin holds differential and the door seals are healthy. Also check that the air conditioning and bleed air systems work.
- Ice protection system. For an airplane flown in IMC at altitude, deice boots, heated surfaces and windshield protection must work as certified. Boot condition is also a cost item.
- Avionics, software and Autonomi functions. Verify Garmin software versions, database subscriptions, and that autopilot, autothrottle and Autoland (on AX airplanes) pass functional checks. Unresolved squawks here are expensive.
- AD, service bulletin and factory update compliance. Early production airplanes in particular may have factory retrofits outstanding. Have the shop research all applicable ADs and Epic service bulletins and confirm compliance in the logs.
Popular upgrades
- Garmin avionics software and feature updates. Keeping G1000 NXi software and optional features current helps resale. Buyers notice outdated software and missing capabilities in this price class.
- Factory retrofits for earlier airplanes. Epic has offered updates that bring earlier E1000s closer to later-generation spec. Documented factory retrofit work generally supports value.
- Interior refurbishment or premium interior options. Cabin finish and seating options matter to buyers carrying passengers. A clean, upgraded interior helps an airplane sell faster but rarely returns full cost.
- Engine program enrollment. This is not a physical mod, but enrolling or staying enrolled in an engine maintenance program is one of the strongest value supports in turboprop resale.
- Paint protection and touch-up. Proper paint care protects the composite structure from UV exposure. Quality paint also keeps the airplane in the top tier of the market.
Ownership costs
Budget seriously. fyiAero's operating estimate puts variable cost at about $854 per flight hour, covering fuel, engine reserves and routine maintenance. The total annual budget is roughly $279,850 based on 50 flight hours a year, which shows how much of the cost is fixed: insurance, hangar, recurrent training, avionics subscriptions, inspections and financing or depreciation on an airplane averaging about $2,948,574 pre-owned. At 322 knots, the estimate works out to about $2.65 per nautical mile. Flying more hours lowers the effective hourly cost because the fixed costs get spread out. Get real quotes for insurance and hangar in your area, and price engine program costs before you commit.
Safety record
NTSB records show one accident in the E1000 family over the last 10 years, with no fatal accidents and no aircraft destroyed. Against the U.S. registered fleet of 123, that equals 8.1 accidents per 1,000 aircraft over 10 years and 0.0 fatal per 1,000. It is a good record, but this is a small, young fleet with relatively few total hours, so a single event moves the rate a lot. Draw no strong conclusions either way. The real risks come from pilots stepping up from slower piston airplanes. A 1,200-shaft-horsepower single needs careful power and torque management on takeoff and go-around, and the airplane's speed demands disciplined high-altitude operations and descent planning. Pilots also need to manage icing well and stay current. Structured initial training, annual recurrent training and honest personal minimums are the best risk controls, and insurers will require them anyway.
Alternatives to consider
- Daher TBM 940 / 960. The TBM has a larger dealer and support network and a longer track record. It is similar in speed with a somewhat smaller cabin, and prices are comparable or higher for late models.
- Pilatus PC-12 NGX. The PC-12 offers a much larger cabin, a cargo door and strong rough-field capability. It is slower than the E1000 and more expensive to buy.
- Piper M600 / M700. The Piper is cheaper to buy and insure, with a familiar Piper support base. It is meaningfully slower and has a smaller cabin.
- Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet. The Vision Jet is a single-engine jet with a parachute system and a strong owner community. It burns more fuel per mile and has shorter range than the E1000.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Epic E1000 cost?
fyiAero listings currently show asking prices from $1,899,000 to $5,400,000, with a median of $4,100,000. Newer AX models sit at the top of that range, and unusually low listings should be investigated carefully.
How fast is the Epic E1000 and how far can it go?
fyiAero's operating estimate uses a cruise speed of 322 knots and a range of 1,560 nautical miles. Actual numbers depend on altitude, temperature, load and reserves.
What does it cost per hour to operate an E1000?
Variable cost is estimated at about $854 per hour, with an annual budget around $279,850 based on 50 flight hours. Fixed costs like insurance, hangar and training make up a large share of that total.
Do I need a type rating to fly the Epic E1000?
No. As a single-engine turboprop under 12,500 pounds, it does not require a type rating, though you will need high-performance, complex and high-altitude endorsements. Insurers will typically require formal initial and recurrent training.
Is the Epic E1000 safe?
NTSB records show one accident and no fatal accidents over the last 10 years, or 8.1 accidents per 1,000 registered aircraft. The fleet is small and young, so good training and currency matter more than the statistics.
How many Epic E1000s are there?
The FAA registry lists 123 E1000-family aircraft registered in the U.S. fyiAero currently shows 10 for sale, so choices at any given time are limited.
Epic E1000 / E1000 GX / E1000 AX for sale
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Prices, fleet and safety figures update automatically from fyiAero listings, the FAA aircraft registry and NTSB data. The editorial was written by fyiAero with AI assistance from that data and general type knowledge. It is not a substitute for a pre-buy inspection, title search or professional advice.
