N78BQ

N78BQ is an Epic Aircraft E1000, a single-engine turboprop operated by EPIC AIRCRAFT LLC. SkyMeter has tracked 608 flights totalling 900 hours of airtime via ADS-B across 2 callsigns. The most frequent segment is KBDN to KBDN. Service window in our records spans 367 days. Of those flights, 76 (12.5%) carry at least one detected incident: a go-around, unstable approach, stall warning, or runway excursion. The Epic Aircraft E1000 has a maximum takeoff weight of 5,650 lb, light wake category.

About the Epic Aircraft E1000

The Epic E1000 is a high-performance single-engine turboprop built by Epic Aircraft of Bend, Oregon, certified in 2019 after a lengthy development that began as a kit aircraft project in the early 2000s. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67A producing 1,200 shaft horsepower, the E1000 is one of the fastest single-engine turboprops in production, with a maximum cruise speed of 325 knots and a service ceiling of 34,000 feet, performance that rivals some light jets. Its all-carbon-fiber composite airframe and pressurized cabin seat up to six occupants in owner-flown luxury, bridging the gap between high-end piston singles and entry-level jets.

The E1000's appeal lies in its combination of speed, range (1,650 nautical miles), and operating economics. It competes directly with the Pilatus PC-12 and Daher TBM series but offers a sleeker, more aerodynamic design optimized for speed rather than utility. The aircraft features a Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite with synthetic vision and advanced autopilot, making it a capable single-pilot IFR platform. Its relatively light maximum takeoff weight of 5,650 pounds keeps it in the owner-flown category while delivering near-jet performance.

Epic Aircraft's transition from experimental kit manufacturer to FAA Part 23 certified producer was marked by financial challenges and ownership changes, but the E1000 has found a niche among affluent owner-pilots seeking turbine performance without the complexity of twin-engine operations. The type's carbon construction and modern systems represent a newer generation of general aviation design, though production numbers remain modest compared to established turboprop competitors.

SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.