In order to become facilitate international sales and meet the needs of deposit holders and sales partners outside the U.S., ICON decided to initiate the FAA Type Certification process for the A5. While it is true that some countries recognize the Light Sport category, others do not. In addition, the A5’s weight is slightly more than the limit for amphibious LSA aircraft. In the U.S., ICON pursued and obtained a waiver from the FAA for the weight of the A5. Given that each country would require this same waiver process, we felt that it would be more efficient to pursue FAA Type Certification as a smoother path to validation in these countries since the Type Certified A5 does not require a weight exemption.

It means that our Type Certified ICON A5’s are manufactured under our Production Type Certificate in line with the FAA’s stringent compliance requirements. In other words, the Type Certified A5 is certified to different and more rigorous standards than the LSA model. Primary Category aircraft are intended to be simpler and recreational in nature, have up to 4 seats, and have a higher weight limit than LSA. However, the Primary Category does not allow for high-performance engines, carrying more than 4 people, or flying for commercial use.

Both aircraft have the same performance specifications. The main difference is that the Type Certified A5 is produced under a Production Type Certification under a higher level of scrutiny and documentation by the FAA. Both aircraft offer the same safety features and are built to the highest standards, however the Certified Edition has gone through a few additional certification steps as required by the FAA.

The Type Certified A5 has higher costs in several areas: initial development costs for FAA Type Certification; continued costs to maintain and support the Production Type Certificate relating to additional required documentation; and given that Type Certified A5 is especially intended for the international market, there are additional costs for ICON develop and maintain the infrastructure to support sales, service, and flight training partners outside the U.S.

Before the emergence of LSA’s, General Aviation (GA) aircraft were generally either Type Certified or Experimental. ASTM is an industry standard that has been adopted by a number of countries (including the U.S.) and that has allowed the development of LSA, which has become an important part of GA. In contrast, Type Certified aircraft are Type Certified by the FAA under a Production Type Certification, rather than an industry standard.

The main benefit would be for international travel, for example flying your ICON A5 to islands in the Caribbean, or to fly your A5 if you keep your plane on a yacht when you are in another country. LSA’s don’t have a Type Certificate, and so typically a special permission is required before you can fly in another country, just like if you are flying an Experimental aircraft (there are exceptions, notably the Bahamas, which does allow U.S. LSA’s).

In terms of flight training outside the U.S., A5 owners can get local flight training in their own Type Certified ICON A5 with a local ICON-trained instructor. ICON designated maintenance facilities will provide warranty support, and for non-warranty work, ICON owners can use any appropriately qualified aircraft maintenance facility. In the U.S., owners of the Type Certified A5 can use our already comprehensive network of ICON Authorized Flight Instructors to get a seaplane rating in their own Type Certified ICON A5, and they can also use our network of ICON Service Partners for maintenance.

The agreements for the Type Certified A5 are based on the LSA agreements.

The FAA defines an LSA as any aircraft that can meet the following performance criteria:

• Two occupants maximum
• 1320 lbs max gross weight (1430 lbs for seaplanes) *ICON has been granted a weight exemption by the FAA allowing a gross weight of up to 1680 lbs. See ICON FAA Exemption section for more information
• Single engine (non-turbine)
• 120 kts (138mph) max level flight speed
• 45 kts max stall speed
• Fixed landing gear (retractable allowed for seaplanes)

Yes. Anyone holding a Sport Pilot License or higher can fly an LSA.

S-LSA stands for Special Light Sport Aircraft. S-LSA are factory built and delivered in a ready-to-fly condition with no assembly required by the owner. The ICON A5 is an S-LSA and will be delivered in ready-to-fly condition. It is not available as a kit.

Yes, if the pilot holds at least a Private Pilot License and the aircraft is properly equipped for night flight in accordance with FAR Part 91.205 (c).

Four criteria apply:

1. Must be at least 17 years of age to take the FAA Practical Test (can begin training at age 16).
2. Must have a valid state driver’s license OR 3^rd Class Medical.
3. Must be proficient in the English language.
4. Requires either a third-class FAA Medical Certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license as evidence of medical eligibility (provided the individual’s most recent application for an FAA Medical Certificate was not denied, revoked, suspended, or withdrawn).

Three things must be completed:

1. Must pass the FAA Sport Pilot written exam.
2. Must complete all required Sport Pilot flight training from an FAA-Certified Flight Instructor.
3. Must pass an FAA Oral and Practical Examination with an FAA Examiner (i.e., “Check-ride”).

No. As per FAA regulations, Sport Pilots are required to have EITHER:

• a minimum of an FAA 3rd Medical Certificate, or
• a valid Driver’s License as evidence of medical fitness. Any limitation on a driver’s license must also be complied with while acting as a Sport Pilot.

Additionally, it is important to note that the SPL is not intended as a workaround to a known medical condition. The FAA prohibits anyone who knows of, or has a reason to know of, a medical condition that would make them unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner from operating under an SPL. For further information please visit the FAA’s additional Sport Pilot Medical FAQs. (http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification/sportpilots/)

The following are requirements for an SPL:

• At least 20 hours of flight time, including at least 15 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor, of which at least two hours are cross-country flight training.
• Ten takeoffs and ten landings to a full stop (with a traffic pattern) at an airport.
• Three hours of flight training in preparation for the practical flight test (completed within 60 days of the practical flight test).
• At least five hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane, including at least one solo cross-country flight of at least 75 nautical miles, with landings at a minimum of two points, and one leg of at least 25 nautical miles.
• A valid U.S. driver’s license (not under suspension or revocation) or a third-class Medical Certificate issued by an approved Medical Examiner.

A Sport Pilot may not operate in Class A airspace (airspace above 18,000 MSL). A Sport Pilot must have an endorsement to operate in Class B, C, or D airspace. The majority of the low altitude U.S. airspace below a few thousand is “uncontrolled,” virtually unutilized, and completely open to Sport Pilots.

No. A Sport Pilot may not act as Pilot in Command (PIC) in IFR conditions.

No. A Sport Pilot may not act as PIC at night. “Night” is defined as end of civil evening twilight to beginning of morning civil twilight (approximately 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise).

No. Flying an amphibian LSA does not require an additional seaplane rating; however, you would need to complete a Proficiency Check for operating the aircraft in a water environment. Then, a certified flight instructor (CFI) will add an endorsement to your logbook verifying that you have received the appropriate training and are qualified to operate an A5 in a water environment. This Proficiency Check will be included in the baseline ICON Flight Training curriculum for both beginner and existing landplane transition pilots.

If you are already a Private Pilot holding a seaplane rating (SES), you will simply need to complete a brief ICON transition training course for the A5. If you are a Private Pilot or higher and do not hold a seaplane rating, you will need to complete transition training and a Proficiency Check to receive a logbook endorsement to operate the A5 in a water environment.

ICON Aircraft’s headquarters are in Vacaville, CA, 50 miles North of San Francisco.

The A5 is completed and certified for flight at ICON’s Aircraft Completion Center in Vacaville, CA. ICON manufactures the composite components and assembles the A5 at its Mexico facility in Baja California.

Yes. Contact a Product Specialist to schedule a tour if you are in the area.

The airframe is lightweight, high-strength composite material comprised of carbon fiber that is corrosion-resistant, which is preferred for amphibious planes and seaplanes.

Yes. The A5 is amphibious, so it can land and takeoff from either water or land due to the boat hull design and retractable landing gear.

According to FAA rules, an LSA is limited to the pilot and one passenger.

The A5 Limited Edition has a useful load (people + luggage + fuel) of approximately 430 pounds.

An angle of attack indicator provides the pilot with a direct indication of the wing’s performance, as measured by the angle between the aircraft’s longitudinal axis relative wind. Since a wing stalls at the same angle of attack regardless of airspeed or weight, the pilot is able to rapidly assess wing performance during any phase of flight simply by referencing the AoA indicator. This capability is particularly useful during landing and maneuvering.

No. Per FAA accepted ASTM consensus standard F2245-13b, S-LSAs are limited to VFR flight.

FAA regulations do allow for a Private Pilot to fly an LSA at night, if properly equipped. With the night lighting package, the A5 is legal for night VFR flight operations.

Yes, the side windows are removable. The windows should not be removed while airborne for safety reasons.

The demonstrated limit of the A5 is 12 knots.

The rudder pedals adjust fore and aft to accommodate various pilot height dimensions. The A5 was designed to accommodate pilots from the 50th percentile female to the 95th percentile male. This translates into a 42.6-inch head clearance (distance from the compressed seat cushion to the headliner). People as tall as 6′5″ (196cm) can fit comfortably in the A5, but it will depend on the build and torso length of the individual.

Yes. There is a baggage stowage area directly behind the pilot and passenger seats of the A5. The space is rated to carry up to 60lbs of baggage not to interfere with the pilot’s visibility or flight controls.

The ICON A5 has a range of 427nm. The ICON A5 has a 20 gallon fuel tank and burns roughly 4 gallons/hour.