What is the current status of A5 flight testing?
Following the A5’s first flight in July of 2008, ICON immediately embarked on a rigorous Engineering Flight Test Program. Since then, ICON has completed the Phase 1 Airworthiness Testing and is now in the middle of Phase 2 Technical Refinement. Phase 3 User-Interface Refinement will follow on after Phase 2 is completed. Upon completion of Development Flight Test, the production design will be completed. After that, flight testing will begin on multiple production prototypes to verify that all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements and ASTM standards are complied with or exceeded. Series productions will immediately follow the production prototypes.
When do you expect FAA certification?
ICON expects the first airplane to be approved for delivery by the FAA in late 2011.
Will the A5 be offered as a kit?
No. The A5 will only be offered as an FAA-approved, ready-to-fly LSA.
Will ICON offer an IFR-certified version of the A5?
Currently ICON has no plans to offer an IFR-certified version of the A5. ICON will continue to monitor the various rulemaking bodies to determine if offering an IFR version at some point in the future is feasible.
Do you expect any design changes before delivery?
Yes. As with most new aircraft, slight modifications will be necessary to improve the performance and ergonomics of the aircraft based on qualitative and quantitative data from flight tests and availability of optional components.
What is the current progress of flight testing?
Phase 1 flight testing (Airworthiness), designed to characterize aircraft performance, has been completed. Phase 2 (Technical Refinement), designed to refine the technical aspects of the aircraft, is currently underway. The A5 is currently completing hard surface and water operations with the retractable landing gear installed. Phase 3 (User-Interface Refinement) will commence upon the completion of Phase 2 flight testing.