What a Concept!

The need for better, more efficient technologies drives competition at a breakneck pace in the aerospace industry. Companies must research and design the latest and greatest to fill everyday needs as well as niche markets. Each issue, AMD will feature a new concept vehicle, part or technology, and what it may mean to the aerospace world.

Overview ICON Aircraft is an early stage Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) manufacturer that started with the vision that planes should be designed for the total consumer experience in mind - like great sport cars are - and not as mere transportation devices.

In 2004, the FAA made a ground-breaking regulatory change known as "the biggest change in aviation in 50 years." This "change" created the light sport aircraft category and sport pilot license, making it much easier for people with a passion for the sky to live out their dreams of flight.

Inspired by this regulation change, CEO Kirk Hawkins founded ICON after graduating from Stanford Business School in 2005. The result was ICON Aircraft and its first product, the ICON A5.

The A5 is a sexy and innovate two-seat, amphibious sport plane. The A5 is now poised to be the vehicle that leads a revolution in aviation - where flying moves from simply a mode of transportation for the masses, or privately for the elite few - to becoming a main-stream consumer activity.

The A5 is truly a first in aviation. It has a myriad of unique features including folding wings, intuitive cockpit, and the ability to be trailered behind a standard SUV.

The A5 has completed rigorous water and land flight testing and, to date, the performance of the A5 has met or exceeded the exceptionally - high design standards and expectations that are central to ICON's product philosophy.

Specifications:

• Seats: 2
• Maximum Takeoff Weight: 1,430 lb
• Useful Load: 430 lb to 530 lb (option dependent)
• Baggage: 60 lb (maximum)
• Fuel (Auto Gas or Av Gas): 20gal
• Maximum Speed (Vh): 105kts (120mph)
• Range: 300nm
• Takeoff & Landing Distance: 750ft
• Engine (Rotax 912 ULS): 100hp

• Folding wings (manual or automatic)
• Retractable landing gear (gear can be deleted entirely to make a pure seaplane)
• Seawing platforms for easy access and docking
• High-strength, lightweight carbon fiber airframe
• Amphibious design (flies off land and water)
• High-performance wing and airfoil
• 100hp Rotax 912 ULS engine
• Intuitive, sports car-like cockpit
• GPS moving map
• High-visibility, wrap-around canopy
• Flight with removable side windows
• Multiple storage compartments
• Glass (LCD) multifunction display
• Low stall speed
• ICON Complete Airplane Parachute (optional)
• Wing Angle of Attack Indicator (AoA)

• Wingspan: 34ft
• Aircraft Length: 22ft
• Aircraft Height: 7.1ft
• Trailered Width: 8.5ft
• Trailered Length: 28ft
• Trailered Height: 8.3ft