Thu, Jul 29, 2010
Icon Strategy Is To Outsource Composite Structure
Manufacturing
Following a rigorous and comprehensive global supply chain
analysis, ICON Aircraft has selected Liberty Aerospace of
Melbourne, FL, and Flytech Kft. of Szombathely, Hungary, as their
suppliers of structural composite assemblies for the ICON A5 Light
Sport Aircraft. The selection is a significant step in ICON's
ongoing development efforts of its ICON A5, marking an important
milestone toward production of the highly anticipated aircraft.
The selection of the two companies illustrates ICON's strategy
to outsource the composite structure manufacturing to take
advantage of exceptional capabilities already existing in the
certified aircraft sector, rather than recreating them. This
strategy allows ICON to focus solely on the remaining development
of the production aircraft design, while controlling all final
assembly, system integration, and testing to ensure product
quality.
"The proven track records of both companies in high-quality
composite production drove this decision," said Kirk Hawkins, CEO
and Founder of ICON Aircraft. "At ICON, we do our homework to
ensure we get to great solutions - and this is just another
example. Partnering with established suppliers will allow ICON to
not only reach production sooner, but also accelerate the
production ramp to meet the impressive demand we're seeing for the
A5." ICON will receive major composite structural assemblies from
these suppliers and will control all system installation, final
assembly, finishing, and testing prior to delivery. A5 production
will be at ICON's facilities in Southern California.
Liberty Aerospace currently manufactures a certified composite
aircraft under an FAA-approved quality system, which will directly
benefit the production of the ICON A5. Additionally, Liberty brings
extensive design-for-manufacturing capabilities that will be
leveraged in the production design of the A5.
Flytech has been manufacturing composite aircraft tooling since
1983 and composite parts since 1996. Their use of the latest
generation resin-impregnating technology and their top-of-the-line
ERP and production control systems ensure the highest quality light
aircraft structures.
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