I think the primary reason the ICON is as limited as you see (and it is), Jason is because it is an LSA. The approval process for "certification" is much more simple for an LSA...read, less expensive. That is why there are so many LSAs out there. By definition, the LSA has a limited speed and (because of weight limitations) range.

To the guy who said that they won't sell any $200K LSAs...the folks at CubCrafters are selling just as many as they can make (3-4 month waits) for >$200K.

All that said...I'm just gonna put floats on my Carbon Cub...

Jim

That's the reason it's exciting. They're bringing non-pilots to the pool that are excited about the 'flying experience'. That's what we need.

Frankly I'm interested more in pure flying experience now than point to point flying. Tom Gresham's Champ has got me thinking I need, not would like, a taildragger. It will help my point to point flying skills of course

I have a friend put a deposit on one. Although right now I don't think he will reap the traditional benifits of an LSA in Canada (though not a factor). It looks like a fun thing to have for the cottage.

"got me thinking I need, not would like, a taildragger......."

I got my license in 152's and 172's, but I learned to fly (after I was licensed) in a SuperCub. Eight years ago, I was flying a T210 and a Caravan but I missed flying taildraggers. I bought a 1949 Piper PA-14-Family Cruiser-basically a 4 place SuperCub. It was great therapy, and it reminded me why airplanes have rudder pedals. After flying the -14 all over Texas, plus a trips to Alaska and Maine, I just traded the -14 for a half interest in light sport Super Legend Cub with my father. Dad is about to let his medical go after 50 years, so light sport is the way to go for him.

The purpose of the Icon and the Super Legend is to have fun and get back to basic stick and rudder flying skills. If you like to take off and climb to a cruising altitude higher than 500 feet, these airplanes are not for you.

I am lucky to have a part of B36 and a Caravan for when I need to go faster or haul more. I can't pull the Caravan out and fly for 20 minutes just for the hell of it. The Cub excels at that role.

I too am a position holder and the price has gone up exponentially since my deposit in 2011 however like Theodore I have met the Principals and feel like this could be a solid company to bring the excitement of aviation back to the public at large, low, slow and safe flight as well as give those who have no medical the ability to continue to enjoy the thrill of flying! To the nay Sayers shhhhhhhh an LSA may very well be the aircraft you end up with in your later years of aviation!

I want one.

It would make a perfect commuter a/c for me; we live on one of the Chesapeake Bay's tributaries and I could park the thing in my back yard.

R-

You could even use it to 'drive' the wife to work!

Agreed.

That said, I will buy one from one of the first owners.

Me no likely depreciation hit.

Add me to the second owner list.

Ditto...when i can get a nice used one for 100k, the Searey is going on barnstormers.

FAA cleared them for production. I may have to think about this one a little. Damn nice toy for around these parts.

The news articles say they got weight exemption to 1680 pounds, while the web site says it has 430 UL at 1510 gross. It also says that the basic plane does not have CAP but that the CAP option is mandatory in the US, so does that mean that you get 430 UL until you add the CAP option and any other option that you choose, that further reduces UL.

A plane with a UL of 430 or less is a single seater that can be flown illegally with a passenger but without insurance (because of illegal weight).

The Icon isn't going to make sense to someone with a Pilatus. If you think of it as an airplane that can land on water, but flies very slowly with little load carrying, it's a dumb design.

But I contend it's not meant to be anything more than a small boat that can also fly. It's not built for real travel, but for mostly local adventure and recreational fun. I love the design, the concept, the automotive style simple panel...everything. I hope they prosper and sell a whole bunch of them.

Tony, don't have a Pilatus yet but I do have a Baron and a Mooney that I will use on trade

Icon may bring fun back to flying. Fuel burn for that engine is about 3 gph I believe. That means for their 300nm range they need maybe 12-15 gallons. Not a huge weight penalty.

Lands on water, land and has a chute and looks way cool. I like it!

If I follow your numbers, the 170 lb increase to the gross weight would seemingly increase the useful load to 600. While 600 is not a great number, it is much better than 430. I don't know what fuel capacity is, but if it's 25 gallons, that's 150 pounds from the 600. If the required (optional) CAP's is another 30 pounds, that leaves 420 for an average of 210 pounds per passenger, which can work for many folks. Oh, a nav/com & transponder are also options...so deduct a bit more.

I live on a fresh water lake and am interested in learning more about the A5's actual performance capabilities. The company's website does not seem to have all that many facts. I'm staying tuned.

I do wish the company well and believe the outward design looks very attractive.