After a fitful production start for the A5 light-sport aircraft, Icon Aircraft has regrouped. The company has built a composite factory in Mexico to “improve and control the manufacturing process while simultaneously reducing cost,” says Icon’s founder and CEO, Kirk Hawkins. While the new Tijuana-based composite shop is getting up and running, Icon has opened two training facilities for its A5 amphibian — one at its headquarters in Vacaville, California, and one in downtown Tampa, Florida. A third facility is expected to open soon at an undisclosed location in Texas.
Learning to Fly the Icon A5
Key Takeaways:
- Icon Aircraft has strategically moved composite production of its A5 light-sport aircraft to a new factory in Tijuana, Mexico, aiming to improve manufacturing control, reduce costs, and address early design and quality issues.
- To prepare its large base of non-pilot customers, Icon is aggressively expanding its flight training program with new centers in California, Florida, and Texas, offering military-inspired curricula focused on angle of attack and unique water operations for the amphibious A5.
- Despite initial production delays and customer concerns, Icon's strategy uses early production aircraft for training and product refinement, ensuring all buyers eventually receive an improved, "squawk-free" A5 after completing specialized and engaging flight instruction.
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