FlyEpic Reports 550 Flights and Access to 1,762 Airports Across 11 Western States in First Months of Service
Why It MattersTurboprop-based fractional programs are positioning regional airport access, rather than jet speed or cabin size, as the differentiator that separates them from larger jet fractional operators.
What happened
FlyEpic, a fractional ownership aircraft company based in San Carlos, California, announced on September 9, 2026 that it has completed 550 flights and established access to 1,762 airports across 11 Western U.S. states since beginning service in January 2026. The company was founded in 2025 and operates exclusively with Epic E1000 turboprop aircraft, carbon-fiber single-engine turboprops built in Bend, Oregon, capable of traveling up to 1,200 nautical miles. Onboard features include adjustable polarized windows, Starlink Wi-Fi and generous legroom.
Among the most frequently flown routes during FlyEpic's first six months were flights from the San Francisco Bay Area to Casper, Wyoming; Spokane, Washington; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Prescott, Arizona; and Costa Mesa, California. The fractional ownership program starts at 25 flight hours, with a 1/16 ownership share providing 50 annual flight hours; one-eighth and one-quarter shares are also available. FlyEpic manages pilots, maintenance, insurance, scheduling and aircraft operations on behalf of owners.
CEO Scott Shatzer said, "Our owners and passengers are using FlyEpic to make being there possible. When you can leave on your schedule, land closer to where you're going and get home the same day, you're not just changing how you travel." Founder Tanya Eves described the company's philosophy as "Smart is the New Luxury," emphasizing practical regional connectivity over premium amenities alone.
Industry impact & what to watch
FlyEpic's model sits in a specific niche within fractional ownership: single-engine turboprops that trade jet speed and range for the ability to land at smaller regional airports a jet fleet cannot reach. The route list — Bay Area to Casper, Spokane, Colorado Springs, Prescott and Costa Mesa — reflects that trade-off, connecting metro areas to smaller Western cities rather than competing on trunk routes between major hubs.
Fractional programs built around a single aircraft type keep pilot training, maintenance and parts inventory simpler than multi-type fleets, and the tiered ownership structure, from 1/16 shares upward, lets owners scale hours without buying a whole aircraft. The 1,762 airports across 11 Western states figure describes reach rather than frequency, and how that reach translates into repeat bookings beyond the first eight months is not yet established.
What happens as FlyEpic's fleet and owner base grow beyond this initial period, and whether the concentration of routes around the Bay Area holds or broadens to other bases, will indicate whether the regional-turboprop niche can scale the way jet-based fractional programs have.
