ICON A5
| ICON A5 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Prototype in 2010 | |
| Role | amphibious light-sport aircraft |
| Manufacturer | ICON Aircraft |
| First flight | 15 July 2008 (concept aircraft)[1] |
| Number built | One |
| Unit cost | estimated US$139,000[2] |
The ICON A5 is an American amphibious light-sport aircraft being developed by ICON Aircraft.[3] A concept aircraft was flown in 2008 but production has not started.
Contents |
[edit] Design
The A5 is a high-wing flying boat-type amphibious monoplane with a carbon fiber airframe and retractable undercarriage. It seats two people in an enclosed cockpit and is powered by a single 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912 ULS engine driving a three-bladed pusher propeller. Sponsons provide hydrodynamic stability and act as a step for crew and passenger. The wings can be folded aft for ground transport and storage.[4] Equipment includes an angle of attack indicator, an unusual feature in general aviation aircraft. An airframe ballistic parachute is optional.[citation needed]
[edit] Development
A prototype was constructed in 2007-2008 and made its first flight in July 2008. In January 2009 the company announced completion of the first phase (27 flights) of a three-phase testing program, including water-handling. In February 2009, the prototype entered the second-phase testing to refine aerodynamic and handling qualities.[5]
In June 2011 the company announced that it had procured an additional $25 million investment, which was "needed to allow the company to complete engineering development work and enter production - possibly as early as next year [2012]."[6]
An updated "spin-resistant" wing was tested in July 2011, and production was forecast to start in late 2012.[7]
In August 2011, the company stated that it had sold positions for 694 A5s, of which 143 were received at the 2011 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh show. A promotion in conjunction with EAA Young Eagles raised over US$28,000 for Young Eagles.[8][9]
[edit] Awards
In the 2009 IDEA/BusinessWeek Design Awards, ICON was awarded Gold in the Transportation Design category. The competition included all cars, motorcycles, watercraft, and every other motor vehicle designed in 2008.[10] ICON was also awarded a 2009 Gold Spark Design Award[11] and a Design Distinction in ID Magazine’s Annual Design Review.[12] [13]
- 2008 Popular Science 100 Best Innovations of the Year[14]
- 2008 I.D. Magazine Annual Design Review[12][13]
- 2009 IDSA International Design Excellence Award Gold - Transportation[15]
- 2009 IDSA International Design Excellence Award People's Choice Award[16]
- 2009 Gold Spark Design Award[11]
- 2010 Wallpaper* Magazine "Life-enhancer of the Year" Judges Award[17]
- 2010 Red Dot Product Design Winner[17]
[edit] Specifications (estimated)
Data from Icon Aircraft [2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 22 ft (6.7 m)
- Wingspan: 34.0 ft (10.4 m)
- Height: 7.1 ft (2.16 m)
- Useful load: 430 - 530 lb (option dependent) (195.0-240.4 kg)
- Max. takeoff weight: 1,430 lb (648.6 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912 ULS flat-four engine, 100 hp (74.6 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 105 knots (120 mph/193 km/h)
- Range: 300 nautical miles (555.6 km)
[edit] See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
[edit] References
- ^ "ICON Aircraft News". ICON Aircraft. http://www.iconaircraft.com/news.html. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ a b "ICON Aircraft A5 Model". ICON Aircraft. http://www.iconaircraft.com/a5-model.html. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ Wired (retrieved 18 October 2011)
- ^ Mark Twombly (September 2008). "Making a Splash". Water Flying: p. 17. https://www.seaplanes.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=456&Itemid=81volume=169. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ Graham Warwick (16 February 2009). "ICON Flies A5 Light-Sport Amphibian". Aviation Week & Space Technology: p. 12. http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=busav&id=news/ICON07218.xml&headline=Icon%20Flies%20%20A5%20Light-Sport%20Amphibian. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ Stephen Pope, Icon Lands Investor Financing, Flying, September 2011, p. 18
- ^ General Aviation News. 8 July 2011.
- ^ "ICON Aircraft Receives Record 143 Orders At Oshkosh". Aero News Network. http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=d720b3b4-a585-4544-b7fd-368a21c9fca5. Retrieved 2011-11-15.
- ^ "Icon Sees Success at AirVenture". Flying Magazine. http://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/lsasport/icon-sees-success-airventure. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
- ^ Helen Walters (29 July 2009). "IDEA 2009: Designing a Better World". BusinessWeek. http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/07/0729_IDEA_awards_gold/32.htm. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ a b "Spark Award Winners". Spark Awards. http://www.sparkawards.com/Galleries/09_Winners.htm. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
- ^ a b "Accessorizing Your Aerial, Urban Future". This is a456. http://www.aggregat456.com/2009/07/accessorizing-for-your-aerial-urban.html. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
- ^ a b "ICON Receives Prestigious Design Awards". ICON Aircraft. http://iconaircraft.com/news.html#icon-receives-prestigious-design-awards. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
- ^ "100 Best Innovations of 2008". Popular Science Magazine. http://www.popsci.com/gear-amp-gadgets/gallery/2008-12/top-100-innovations-2008?image=41. Retrieved 2011-11-15.
- ^ "5 Great Transportation Awards". Bloomberg Businessweek. http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/07/0729_IDEA_awards_transportation/index.htm. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
- ^ "A Year of IDEAs: 2009". IDSA. http://www.idsa.org/content/content1/year-ideas-2009. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
- ^ a b "Wallpaper* Judges Awards". Wallpaper* Magazine. http://www.wallpaper.com/designawards/2010/icon-a5. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
