Public Flying Debut For ICON A5 At Oshkosh
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Frances Fiorino fiorino@aviationweek.com
ICON Aircraft, buoyed by a new round of financing, is flying the A5 amphibian light sport aircraft to EAA Air Venture 2009 for its first public flight demonstration.
The ICON A5 prototype is scheduled to arrive Wittman Regional Airport at Oshkosh, Wisc., on July 27, the opening day of the show, and flying demos to follow on July 31 at a seaplane base near the field.
The Los-Angeles-based aircraft manufacturer announced July 9 that it secured additional investment capital, of an undisclosed amount, that would carry Phase 2 of the A5 flight test program through 2009.
On Jan. 26, ICON completed Phase 1. In 27 flights, the aircraft was tested across the full performance envelope, from minimum weight to gross weight in various sea states, across all flap settings and up to a density altitude of 5,000 ft. All flights terminated on water, in part to help verify handling qualities. The aircraft can also fly off land.
On May 26, the A5 prototype completed a series of hydrostatic and hydrodynamic tests, which verified basic hull performance for seaplane operators. Tests also expanded the flight envelope into higher winds, rougher sea states and advanced maneuvering, according to ICON.
Phase 2 testing aims to refine aerodynamic and handling qualities, according to ICON.
The two-seat A5 has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,430 lb. and a 430-530-lb. useful load. It will fly at a maximum of 105 kt., and with a 20-gal. fuel tank capacity, it has a 300-mi. range. (Performance figures are estimates.)
ICON says the prototype, powered by a single 100-hp. Rotax 912 ULS engine, has been operating on 91-octane automobile fuel and has averaged five gal./hr. fuel consumption. It can also use aviation fuel.
Standard equipment on the carbon fiber airframe will include retractable landing gear, folding wings (manual), GPS moving map and analog flight instrumentation. Optional equipment includes glass multifunction display and airplane parachute.
ICON CEO Kirk Hawkins, a former fighter pilot, says there has been strong demand for the aircraft, with a $40-million plus backlog and a position list of over 400. A standard equipped aircraft is priced at $139,000, and requires a $5,000 deposit that is refundable and fully transferrable.
ICON says the current economic crisis has pushed production start by nine months, with deliveries scheduled to start in the third quarter, 2011.
Photo credit: ICON
