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Icon A5 Light-Sport Aircraft Review

Icon A5 Flying Magazine
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Icon A5 is a two-seat amphibious light-sport aircraft meticulously designed as an "ultimate flying toy" for the outdoor recreation market, prioritizing safety, ease of use for non-pilots, and an appealing aesthetic over traditional performance metrics.
  • Despite initial skepticism, the author found the A5 exceptionally stable, easy, and fun to fly, highlighting its intuitive cockpit design (including a unique Angle of Attack indicator) and a remarkable spin-resistant wing design that maintains control even in stalled conditions.
  • Aimed at a broad customer base, including many non-pilots, the A5 features practical elements like folding wings for transport and is supported by comprehensive training programs, though its final price point has significantly increased from initial projections.
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I’m generally biased in favor of anything that flies, but truth be told there have been a few light-sport aircraft that I haven’t enjoyed flying. I felt that those airplanes were so light on the controls that it was rather unsettling. While the Icon A5 looks cool, I was prepared for the worst when I went to fly the two-seat amphibian. Boy, was I in for a surprise.

Pia Bergqvist

Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.

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