Aircraft

First production ICON A5 amphibian plane unveiled

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The first production version of the ICON A5 on display at EAA AirVenture this week (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The ICON A5 is aimed at the beginner pilot
The ICON A5 interior
The ICON A5 has an optional complete plane parachute
The ICON A5 is towable
The ICON A5 front view
The ICON A5 overhead panel
The ICON A5 being towed
The ICON A5 oblique view
The ICON A5 Angle of Attack indicator
The ICON A5 on holiday
The ICON A5 instrument panel
The ICON A5 has a step module
The ICON A5 navigation display
The ICON A5 seating
The ICON A5 is a two-seater
The ICON A5 showing landing gear
The ICON A5 has foldable wings
The ICON A5 side view
The ICON A5 cockpit
The ICON A5
ICON A5 with wings folded
The ICON A5's Rotax egine
The ICON A5 showing wing folded
The ICON A5 in stowed position
The ICON A5 front view with wings folded
The ICON A5 has special anti-stall design
The ICON A5 with construction diagram pinted on
The ICON A5 took its first flight in July
The ICON A5 in flight
The ICON A5 has a flapless wing
The ICON A5 can be ordered as pure seaplane
The ICON A5 at debut (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
ICON A5 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
First production ICON A5 on display (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
ICON A5 wing diagram (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The 100 bhp Rotax 912 iS petrol engine gives the aircraft a top speed of 105 kts (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The ICON A5 with wings folded (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The first production version of the ICON A5 on display at EAA AirVenture this week (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
ICON A5 nose (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
ICON A5 wing folding-wing mechanism (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
ICON A5 showing seating arrangements (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
ICON A5 cockpit mock up (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
ICON A5 detail (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The ICON A5 showing wing rotation mechanism (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The ICON A5 showing forward wheel and lights (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
ICON A5 folding-wing mechanism detail (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
ICON A5 mechanism detail (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
The ICON A5 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
ICON A5 instrument panel (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)
View gallery - 49 images

Small amphibians are sort of the hot hatchbacks of the aviation world and one aimed at the beginner pilot is always worth a look see. At EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) manufacturer ICON Aircraft debuted its first production A5 amphibious, folding-wing plane for the general public. Built in Tehachapi, California, a second is now under construction for structural testing later this year.

The ICON A5 is designed to be simple to fly with a special flapless wing, spin-resistant airframe, and Angle of Attack (AoA) instrument to prevent stalling. Inside the A5 is an cockpit with an intuitive, distinctly automotive layout marked by a mixture of analog and digital instruments.

Weighing in at 1510 lb (686.4 kg), the two-seater amphibian is equipped with both a carbon composite waterproof hull and optional retractable landing gear. Its 100 bhp Rotax 912 iS petrol engine gives the aircraft a top speed of 105 kts (120 mph, 194 km/h) and a range of 300 nautical miles (345 mi, 555.6 km). The 34 ft (10.36 m) wings are foldable for easy towing, and there’s even an optional complete airplane parachute for the safety conscious.

The aircraft unveiled at Oshkosh carries Engineering Serial Number 1 (ESN-1), rolled off assembly in June and made its first flight in July. According to the company, it’s one of the three aircraft needed to verify performance and complete FAA approval. The first customer delivery is scheduled for May of next year, and ICON says that when its new facilities are complete, it will be able to build 500 planes per year.

In addition to the unveiling, ICON announced that one of its first 100 production A5s will be auctioned off with part of the proceeds going to the Veterans Airlift Command, which uses a network of volunteer aircraft to provide free transportation to post 9/11 combat wounded and their families.

The ICON A5 with wings folded (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/Gizmag.com)

“This is one of the most significant milestones to date for ICON. It represents the culmination of years of research, design, engineering, and manufacturing dedication by an outstanding team,” says ICON Aircraft Founder and CEO Kirk Hawkins. “The A5 is no longer a prototype or concept aircraft; it’s a sophisticated, production-ready, consumer-focused aircraft. The entire ICON team is pouring its heart and soul into bringing the A5 to our customers, and it shows in the truly exceptional execution of the product. I couldn’t be prouder.”

The estimated price of the ICON A5 is US$189,000.

The video below details the first production ICON A5.

Source: ICON Aircraft

View gallery - 49 images
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14 comments
Mel Tisdale
If it flies half as well as it looks, it will be a joy to take to the air (and the water).
One thing is certain, this is not dream just off the drawingboard with only the basic concept realised; this is very definitely a production aircraft with all the bells and whistles in place and functioning. It deserves to succeed.
Master DeBlaster
Very nice plane. Looks great and should be built very solid. Problem is the price. I don't think you will sell 500 a year at $189k. Lite, slow and expensive 2 seaters are not selling like they thought they would. I would want a glass panel for that money too. Steam gauges are car like, but to pilots, that is so yesterday technology.
dugnology
Even at $139K, the original price, it is too expensive for a two-seater. What would the production run be if they were, say, 60-80K. Cessna sold 17k aircraft in 1978. At 10K units per year, what could be a viable price point?
hdm
always dreamed of float plane runs to the cottage...but the pricepoint is outside my non-frugal lifestyle :) gorgeous plane that would work well for my needs...
ezeflyer
Very nice. Good job guys!
Paulinator
The product looks amazing. They appear to have invested large sums into sophisticated production tooling, but at 500 copies per year, I wonder if that expense has driven the price down or up?
Jay Finke
the only problem I see with this plane is the looks, cuz it it looks like I want one ! waterproof hull is a nice touch on a sea plane, nice build guys well done.
EH
It looks like around $1 a mile (assuming 250hr/yr. and all sorts of other things - low estimate including maintenance and finance), which is not too crazy, but about 70% or more of that is the depreciation and financing of the $190k+ airplane price (the mfg. site says price rises with CPI.)
Gas at 345mi/20gal.($80) tank is less than 25% of the cost per mile.
The plane's trailerability is a big savings compared to other aircraft, giving lower or non-existent hanger fees and the ability to ferry the plane on the ground at less than half the cost per mile of flying. Avoided airport fees from operating on the water is also a big savings.
Mark A
500/year ? Hope you make it. I suggest a partner ownership program for us commonfolk. AOPA is trying to make flying less expensive so maybe all the 1% ers will buy.
The Skud
Ideal for flying (rich) hunters or other clients to smaller lake lodges and camping sites! Would take a while to get back the purchase cost though ... Live in one of those "fly-in" housing estates and it would simpllify travel to and fro runways as well.