I like the Epic. I hope they succeed and get it certified but it wont happen next year as they are saying. I give them another 3-4 years. They say that they are well funded and they have about 50 homebuilt flying. Their numbers are very optimist with 1150 ibs useful load. This will come down with certification. I had a good talk with ceo Doug King.
Can they really get a 34000 ft ceiling? Optimist yes, reality??
Kestrell are a long way away with no funding in place.
The single engine pressurized turboprop segment needs competition, this is the future.
Username Protected wrote:
Direct from the horses mouth - the Kestrel is still 3-4 years out. No plans to start certification until the Eclipse 550 production is fully funded and cash positive.
I wish Textron would update the KA90 to a modern cockpit. Sat in the "newest" version and the cockpit is like some kind of Frankenstein movie with parts randomly glued together from 1950 analogs to the Collins Fusion.
Epic appears to be getting closer to certification. Kestrel decided to widen their fuselage to differentiate it from the Epic; good choice as the Epic is a bit narrow like a TBM.
