OSHCast 2008 Aero-TV Feature: ICON A5 Unveiled!

Sporty Plane Makes Public Debut

Startup light-sport aircraft manufacturer ICON unveiled its original prototype aircraft at Oshkosh during a media-only reception Sunday, ahead of yesterday's scheduled public unveiling Monday morning at 10:30 AM on AeroShell Square.

As ANN has reported, the A5 is an amphibious two seat aircraft which touts a wing design that folds back at a flip of the switch. This takes about 20 seconds to accomplish and allows for ease of transportation on the road as well as in the air.

The company previously hosted a lavish private unveiling back in June in Los Angeles, CA. ICON's marketing department also pulled out all the stops for Sunday's event.

Going for that ever-popular 'shock and awe' value, the company attempted to evoke the inspiration and spirit of sport aviation (and even succeeded somewhat, tough to do before a crowd of jaded aviation journalists.) As CEO Kirk Hawkins said, "ICON is here to bring the sport and adventure back in flying."

With a base purchase price of $139,000, the A5 is meant to attract those customers that may not have been able to afford the freedom of flying.

FMI: www.iconaircraft.com

Copyright 2008, Aero-News Network, Inc., ALL Rights Reserved.

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News & Politics

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[iceskull11]

@jpersing2007 wrong $130,000. but close

[MagicTimeVideos]

@HunterPilot24 - they have that plane already - it called a Cessna 182, duh

[sanjaCAP]

aaamaaaizing

[HunterPilot24]

First off, it is Cessna. I already fly those and other high performance airplanes. Right now I own a Piper Malibu Mirage. Look it up. It is a high performance complex aircraft that cruises at 180kts, range is around 1200nm, holds 6 people in a pressurized cabin, and cruises at 25,000ft. It is amazing... The only thing it is missing is being amphibious. That was why I made that comment. It is about impossible to have the best of both worlds, so I chose the best of high performance simgles.

[bradbbs]

Theres planes out there for you, they're called Cesnas

[HunterPilot24]

I would get one if there was a bigger version that had a 500+ mile range, a much higher cruise speed and could hold 4 people with equal baggage capacity!!!

[thebestpostever]

I'm wondering if I can pre-order this...

I MUST HAVE!!!

[jpersing2007]

$150,000

[SiXFiGA350Z]

An apparent flimsy plane when tossed into a gust of wind, a parachute system that's yet been tested by a human, and 432 usable lbs for storage excluding passenger(s) (312 with a full tank of fuel)?

My only question is..

How much and where do I sign up!

[proud2b4family]

Imagine how many car accidents would be caused by people seeing that on a trailer on its way to an airport or lake. Good reason to buy an airplane and avoid all those "narrow clearance" vehicles on the road.