ICON A5 folding amphibious plane revealed at AirVenture 2008

ICON Aircraft revealed the ICON A5 amphibious personal sport plane at the AirVenture 2008 event at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The full-scale test prototype of the ICON A5 was displayed at the event.

Photo Gallery: Icon A5 amphibious plane

Unique features of the amphibious ICON A5 include retractable landing gear that helps takeoffs and landings on both sea and land. The ICON A5 has a light-weight carbon fibre body frame and a reliable, 100-hp Rotax 912 ULS engine. The ICON A5 has a high-performance airfoil, runs on both auto and aviation gasoline and provides an fuel efficiency of 20 mpg.

Icon A5 official picture

The ICON A5 can carry 20 gallons of fuel, maximum baggage of 60 lbs, and a range of 300 nm.

In terms of design, the ICON A5 has an elongated cockpit that looks like a sportscar, in keeping with its sporty adventurous look. The ICON A5 has folding wings that can be tucked away below a rear tail that allow the light-weight plane to be easily stored at home or towed like a speedboat as desired. The ICON A5 is small with a 34 feet wingspan, interior cockpit width of 46 inches, and aircraft length of 22 feet.

Official interior photo of the Icon A5 amphibious aircraft

The cockpit has an MP3 music port and a Seawings platform that allows easy access and ability to dock on water. The ICON A5’s cockpit has a comfortable side-by-side waterproof seats, integral headlights, GPS moving map that provides real-time details of terrain and weather, high-visibility bubble canopy, multiple storage compartments, glass cockpit for night VFR which is optional, and flight with removable side windows.

The top speed of the ICON A5 engine is 120 mph.

Icon A5 interior - another view - photo by Jurveston

Safety features of the ICON A5 include a propeller guard, Complete Airplane Parachute (ICAP), and Wing angle of attack indicator.

The ICON A5 will cost $139,000 and will be available in end-2010.

Image from the Icon A5 test flight

AirVenture organiser, Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), which is showcasing the ICON A5 has said that they wanted to attract people into aviation with contemporary fun products.

The ICON A5 has been built by the engineering and fabrication team of Scaled Composites who have manufactured the Voyager, GlobalFlyer, and X-PRIZE winning SpaceShipOne.