Icon Aircraft unwrapped its A5 amphibious LSA at the show yesterday morning.
The two-seater A5 uses wingfolding technology which allows for both easy stowage, and more importantly means the airplane can be towed by an SUV automobile in a specially manufactured trailer.
“When was the last time you saw an airplane on the highway like this…” says chief executive Kirk Hawkins.
The A5 uses a 100hp Rotax 912 ULS engine that can run on Mogas. It will seat two in fully waterproof seats and the if the pilot has a need for that open-air feeling can remove the side windows.
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It has a maximum take off weight of 1,430lbs giving a useful load between 430lbs and 530lbs depending on the aircraft’s configuation.
The first production delivery is set for 2010 and the company has already taken 211 orders since opening its order books just six-weeks ago.
“Since we opened our sales book it’s been overwhelming,” says Hawkins.
The prototype had its maiden flight on July 9 this year and Hawkins says the design took around a year and a half, while the building phase took around six months.
Even with the economic troubles Hawkins says he has funding in place for the production program. “There is a such a latent demand, I don’t expect the economy to be a problem,” he says. “There are 20 countries already that have adopted LSA rules, it’s going global,” he adds.
The A5 is an all-composite airplane and will sell for around $140,000. “If you order today you are looking at 2012 delivery for position 212,” explains Hawkins.
Source: Flight International
