ICON A5
Posted by Jess Dayuno on June 15th, 2008
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Slowly but surely aviation is gearing towards the future. Imagine an aircraft that does not need a hangar but can be safely tucked into your driveway. Yes, it still does not fold into the size of a suitcase as in the Jetson’s, but this is the closest one can get to a sleek and compact aircraft.
It is called the ICON A5.
Photo Credit: jurvetson
The newest line developed and designed by ICON Aircraft introduced on May 11, 2008. It has a space-age look of a T-hail airplane design, sporting a folded wing mechanism that is activated at a push of a button. It is amphibious to boot.
The company’s top brass boasts of its IMAX theater-like view from the cockpit, a deliberate design that “invokes a visceral response.” It is powered by a 100-HP Rotax 912S. The two large sea wings project outward from the lower aft part of the fuselage on both sides. These aids in powered water handling and can serve as platforms for swimming or diving. They are also helpful when docking the aircraft.
Photo Credit: jurvetson
The BMW Design Works group had an input in the design of the cockpit and instrument panel to provide an innate sports-car-like feel. Each airplane will be equipped with modern glass panel avionics and angle-of-attack indicators. Presently orders are being taken in and deliveries are expected to come by 2010 or 2011.