Company Filed Petition For Weight Exemption For Spin Resistant Airframe Last Year

In May 2012, ICON aircraft petitioned the FAA for an exemption that would  permit ICON Aircraft to incorporate a Spin-Resistant Airframe (SRA) in the ICON A5 at a weight above the  current Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) definition.

Now, a year later, the FAA has sent a letter to the company saying it needs additional information.

In the letter, sent by Small Airplane Directorate Manager Earl Lawrence, the FAA asks for a description of the design data that ICON Aircraft claims meets the requirements of the relevant FARs, such as a Model A5 master drawing list or top drawings that includes revision level and date.

The agency also asks for a list of flight test conditions in which the company confirmed that A5 met the requirements needed for the exemption, and no fewer than 10 data points for each of the flight test conditions. The FAA also asks for additional narratives, and a legally binding statement that the ICON A5 meets the Part 23 requirements, does not incorporate a stick pusher or other automatic flight controls, and has demonstrated a lengthy list of flight characteristics.

But wait, there's more.

The FAA is also asking for information about inflatable restraints, special maintenance procedures, and "an explanation of the factors leading to ICON Aircraft's request that a grant of its petition include a requirement for persons operating the aircraft while exercising the privileges of a sport pilot certificate to have received ICON authorized training on the aircraft."

Lawrence said in the letter that while the agency "strives" to process such requests in 120 days, "the complexity, extent, and precedent-setting aspects of your petition require additional time for us to make our determination.

(Image provided by ICON Aircraft)

FMI: Read the Letter