Every ounce of weight counts on an airplane—and that goes double for aircraft accepted in the light sport category. ICON Aircraft has managed to shave off roughly 8 pounds with the installation of a lightweight, four-blade prop on its A5 amphib. The savings gains the LSA a 10 to 12 percent reduction in takeoff distance, as well as producing a lower noise signature. The prop can be ordered on new models as well as be retrofitted on earlier A5s.
The prop is also being offered as part of a show special package at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh this week, along with a signature paint scheme—one of which features the new Astra Red livery design—an autopilot, and one-year subscription to SiriusXM weather. The package represents about $30,000 in savings from the regular value of the composed options.
