Amphibious SportPlane Tries New Tactics To Recapture Lost Momentum

Overpriced, offering meager performance, and burdened with a history of disappointment, have made it hard for those who inherited the Icon program to get ahead... 

So, now the company has turned to a certification program that has been all but abandoned by nearly everyone else in the SportPlane community. 

The Federal Aviation Administration has granted Type Certification for the ICON A5 in the primary category, marking a significant milestone for ICON Aircraft after years of sales as a Light Sport.

ICON was quick to crow about their achievement, highlighting their A5 as "one of only a few Light Sport Aircraft manufacturers in the world to meet the certification standards of the FAA". They can now unlock further markets around the world, thanks to the reciprocity between Type Certificates around the world. With an FAA Primary Type in hand, the A5 folks believe that they can now break into markets across Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. Of course, the Primary Category is anything but a popular program... so the potential benefits are questionable. 

Jerry Meyer, CEO of ICON Aircraft, sees the change as a tidal shift for the A5, bringing it fresh enthusiasm abroad and at home. “The ICON A5 offers an unparalleled blend of performance, safety, and versatility, and we are confident that it will captivate the imaginations of new customers and enthusiasts as we expand our sales and marketing presence outside of the U.S. We are grateful for the collaborative partnership with the FAA throughout this process, and we extend our sincere thanks for their commitment to safety and efficiency.”

Hmmmm... we shall see. 

FMI: www.iconaircraft.com