Flying the Icon A5 Amphibious Light Sport Aircraft - AINtv

AIN’s Matt Thurber had the chance to fly Icon’s A5 Amphibious Light Sport Aircraft at Oshkosh AirVenture 2015. The Icon A5 has a base price of $197,000 and is meant to appeal to first-time pilots, as well as professional pilots who yearn for a return to flying’s simple pleasures.

[@drunkandcory3028]

Who the heck would give this guy a thumbs down this plane is so cool they are explaining everything this is so amazing I would love one of these or even love to get a ride in one

[@joeg5414]

Everyone wants to blame the plane instead of looking at the facts. Every A5 that has crashed has been due to pilot error. Why is that so hard to understand? I think the problem here is the way they're marketing it. It's like they're telling people you can be an inexperienced pilot, push this plane to it's limits and have nothing to worry about. That's asking for trouble.

[@erictalkington5674]

I'd buy one if I had icon a5 money.

[@jshepard152]

When the manufacturer"s chief test pilot dies in an aircraft, what chance do I have?!

[@jeffreyjohnson6982]

@@jshepard152 Just because he was the chief test pilot, doesn't mean he can't make mistakes. "The fatal accident that claimed the life of renowned aircraft designer Jon Karkow and a passenger took place after Karkow mistakenly turned into a steep-sided canyon at low altitude, the NTSB concluded."

[@HeliPadUSA]

Everyone claims Robinson helicopters are deadly as well even though they have a lot of accidents they also are the best selling helicopter of all time. They're not dangerous if you fly them right.

[@jshepard152]

@@HeliPadUSA I suspect the Robinson is about as safe as a donut compared to this thing.

[@st.denysthemartyr791]

I'd love to see Icon evolve this into a 4-seat design...maybe in the 180-200hp range.

[@uninsulatedshrimp5518]

St. Denys the Martyr and some wheels so that you're not limited to water

[@RaymondCore]

it has always had a retractable landing gear and can land on a dirt strip if necessary.

[@THEfromkentucky]

It would no longer be an LSA, requiring much more expensive certification.

[@st.denysthemartyr791]

I hadn't considered the certification issues. I still think it's a güd move, though...us PPL-and-above types could really go for something like this. Not that I'd ever be able to afford it...

[@kojack635]

At 200hp it will become a high performance aircraft, so maybe not 200

[@highpointdad2006]

Seems like Halladay was so thrilled by the fun of flying that sporty thing, he finally pushed himself into a deadly mistake. Karkow’s crash was with mistake of turning into a boxed canyon, a narrow high walled canyon..tight spot if that nimble little plane couldn’t turn out of there.

[@hugomoreno1361]

THANKS YOU THIS VIDEO WELCOME TO BOGOTA DC COLOMBIA VERY.NICE. THATS RIGHT...

[@SixStringflyboy]

His favorite maneuver is the "box canyon scenario." How ironic that the previous crash was caused by exactly this scenario.

[@johnbrittingham4471]

It's like the amphibious plane in James Bond's Man With The Golden Gun, flying in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand.

[@spanky9067]

Coming up in the other planes blind spot at 2:10 sure looked dangerous!

[@erictalkington5674]

When I see something like this, even though I can't yet afford I'd, and all the other videos of people coming up with flying machines, it is about the only thing that makes me happy to be around in this era. We may be flying around one day. The jet pack guy Jetman Dubai, the dude with the Green Goblin hover board thing, this, wingsuits. People are finally getting to do what we have tried for fucking all of history to do, fly! Not just a commercial airliner, but personal flight, jet pack flight, cruising around t odo errands, flight. Un fucking real. Can't wait, I'm in.

[@nai7273]

I want one of these so much! They look great! And the price is very affordable!

[@finbarmathews9059]

nai727 it almost 400000 dollars

[@exposingthedarknesswiththe9190]

*WOW, THAT IS VERY COOL AND SHOULD BE EXCEEDINGLY POPULAR WITH MANY BEGINNERS AND EXPERIENCED PILOTS...WELL DONE AND CONGRATS!!*

[@cinegraphics]

Absolutely amazing design, beautiful airplane and I like people who pay attention to details. I wish they get tons of orders. I'd like to order one for myself, if my business becomes successful one day. Definitely a cooler toy than an equally priced car.

[@davidbazar8851]

My heart goes out to Roy Halladay's family and friends. It seems to me that it is way too early to blame the plane. The test pilot was determined to have been flying way too low so you can hardly blame the plane for that one. Its difficult to imagine that one of these planes would crash into the water unless it was intentional or there was a catastrophic failure like a broken wing. After all, it is an amphibious STOL, has a ridiculously low stall speed and can glide without engine power. Its got to be way safer than riding a moped or a Harley in traffic.

[@SixStringflyboy]

Halladay was a trained pilot, with over 700 hours of flight time. He was a certificated Private Pilot, so he knew that flying below 500 feet around people, or within 1,000 feet laterally of people and structures was illegal, yet he did it anyway.

[@southsideman4891]

KILLED ROY HALLADAY

[@WiFiTubeTV]

I live on an island. I also have more than enough land to build my own landing/take off strip. Plus the wings are foldable, instead of taking the boat, this would be perfect to go for picnics to the neighbouring archipelagos. I wish it was more affordable :(

[@mikesmith4053]

A flying jet ski… cool

[@Cowclops]

Hi, I'm here from the future year of 2022. Don't let the date of my post fool you, I wanted to share with people saying the plane is $400k with no foldable wings, no trailer, no coms radios. They've updated the package: Now its $800,000, it doesn't include ailerons or flaps, it doesn't include the coveted angle of attack gauge, the avionics are actually just an iphone 4 ziptied to the dash, the engine has been derated to 60HP, empty weight has increased by 100 pounds so now you have to take EITHER a passenger OR fuel but not both. Icon hopes to sell at least 10 of these by the year 2040 (At which point the asking price will be $3.2 million dollars and not include an engine at all).

[@patrickeh696]

What a great design. Functional and safe. amazing.

[@brookethewizarday9143]

Patrick EH I don’t know about the safe part.

[@saveukraine7994]

Just ordered one

[@albernard180]

Wow add a another guy who died flying this. RIP halladay. One of the best.

[@pianniello]

three. three people have died in this plane. two in one accident which was pilot error according to the FAA, plus roy halladay who's accident cause is as of yet unknown. civilian owned aircraft do crash from time to time, that doesn't make it an inherently unsafe plane, in fact, this entire video the aviation journalist talks about how stable and stall resistant the plane is.

[@coryraymer6068]

Before you buy your next car, I suggest you try to find one that no one has had a fatal accident in. Good luck.

[@albernard180]

Cory Raymer if somebody sold 100,000 cars and 15,000(15%) people died driving them. Their would be a halt to production asap. And countless lawsuits

[@MaxximumRage]

Roy was flying like an idiot and it's proven by video. So there goes your unreliable theory.

[@southsideman4891]

+pianniello KILLED ROY HALLADAY

[@kek207]

It's crazy that they have so many orders . But they are not delivering as many aircraft as expected...

[@johnc6919]

That is one beautiful aircraft and it appears to be genuinely 'easy' to fly.

[@michaelhille261]

Awesome video can’t beat water operations ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@p00pie]

Beautiful plane.

[@robertchristophersmith5450]

The best plane to have in the PHILIPPINES.

[@xevious2501]

Indeed, beginner recreational pilots who eventually overcome the fear of flight, along with an aircraft thats very easy to fly could easily become a recipe for disaster, not because of the plane itself but rather the mind of the pilot who will take greater and greater risks, not respecting the dangers that comes with flying. Misjudging speed, height, range, stalling, so many factors. Heck if people make fatal mistakes piloting Hot Air Balloons god knows what kinda bad decisions theyl make on the fly with an A5. I myself was saddened to hear about Roy Halladay's passing, having once worked with the man and his fellow then Toronto Blue Jays team mates. But even so.. i like the Icon A5, as an old C.A.P pilot, i think its the best thing for young beginner pilots. They can travel most locations safely keeping below Bravo airspace, and unlike a little cessna, actually have the option to land on both land and water, if conditions permit.

[@kingnolan1514]

Here for Roy Halladay

[@dougg805]

Brad goostree

[@ridhallahdaffa1820]

Make this A5 as big as the Grand Caravan and it'll be fvcking awesome!!

[@_aidid]

Cool aircraft.

[@sergeantsilly5239]

this little thing costs 389k. Just wanted to let you guys know. You can get a nice little cessna for less than 1/4.

[@teksight9714]

They keep talking about how great this plane is in a stall, but I read today Roy Halladay, the baseball star, died in one of these after his plane stalled in a steep climb. He was high on various drugs and flying under the influence of them according to the article, but still they make this plane sound like it has some kind of immunity to a stall.

[@1besieged]

add a steel cage in cockpit, scuba gear, life vest and parachute then i would fly one. looks like a jet ski with wings ...

[@Mroswaldo16]

That looks like fun!!!

[@joesmith389]

It seems all the incidents with this aircraft were pilot error (hard landing, low flying, wrong turn in a canyon). I can’t find any accidents regarding aircraft instability or malfunction, but I’m new to this aircraft.

[@HeliPadUSA]

That was a superb video!

[@crimdell]

What about less than mirror smooth water? The hull/fuselage design looks like a decent size wave would flood the cockpit, or worse.

[@leestauf8895]

Now going for nearly a quarter million dollars?! Outrageous! Nice toy, but I can pretty much do everything this can, a little slower, in my pontoon equipped ultra light for $8,000.00. And I'm right out in the open enjoying it much more!

[@aerofiare9985]

I want one but I don't have 380 G's

[@lozblessed8609]

Why aren’t there side windows if I want to open and close. They seem to be removed and cannot be used on flight until reinstalled on ground.

[@fredericespie7015]

Extraordinaire avion ... Génial 👍

[@shobhasingh3167]

Very nice toy lovely

[@MrBorceivanovski]

Definitely I have to buy one #!#

[@Hondeer]

That's super cool.

[@andyfox1979]

RIP Roy Halladay

[@MrSemperfit]

Andy Fox He was under the influence of multiple substances. He would have killed himself if he was on a scooter

[@tpj1959]

Looks so dangerous as you casually flying just feet from the deck. Astonished people fly this.

[@feuquegougueul1592]

Ahum! My birthday is 11/14, but I'd like to get one this spring...

[@MrFelixify]

Until they are fully autonomous this will never "take off". In the future, we need to have personal driving/flying completely autonomous machines. You input where you want to go, and it takes you there.

[@SMlFFY85]

Life is wasted on you, eh?

[@themikeymikechannel2947]

TESLA BE A PART OF THIS?? auto piloting GPS self flying to your destination Airport or area of interest location????

[@carmenchicas186]

Bien aerodinámicos se ven

[@alamatnyamaspulung790]

How pretty cool..

[@ArmednSafe]

Damn, I want one.

[@drj9705]

nice plane

[@user-qz2vt3tp6f]

Wow..fantastic..

[@SpaseGoast]

Everyone in the comments is so harsh. I believe the saying is "Never fly the A model of anything" There will always be setbacks on the road to innovation and improvement.

[@alvindueck8227]

I have to say, I'm impressed with where aviation has enhanced to. I'm curious to know what the military can do with this setup

[@MikeKobb]

I hope they're able to recover from the massive PR boondoggle of their buyer's contract. It really does seem to be a sweet airplane.

[@SteffanoDucati]

Reminds me of the old Sea Bee

[@franciscomolano5202]

hello there, Want to see where you get those plane before i purchase?

[@mxdocumentarytvmxdocumenta2221]

What sort of conditions can this plane fly in can it land in rough water conditions?

[@Danny-fs1hk]

Awesome!

[@peppeddu]

Can you sit on the wings without damaging them?

[@seanstrickland4970]

I thought my dream was to buy a house, this is officially more important. My gf is gonna hate me lol

[@spindash64]

sean strickland A house isn't a dream as much as it is a goal. This, this is a dream.

[@lukebluske]

sean strickland I second this. Who cares about a lame ass house. Everybody has one of those! Ima get me an icon a5 instead! Good call!

[@marioguti9887]

Better leave a will...and don't have kids!

[@lukebluske]

Mario Gutierrez this is one of the safest airplanes i've ever seen. It's virtually unstallable and can fly very slow! There's a bigger chance a shark will eat the plane after it safely lands than of me and my son dying in a crash in this plane.

[@haney3773]

She won’t mind. As long as you make her the beneficiary of a $5M life insurance policy on the date you take possession of your new toy. Good luck.

[@dudeman7562]

They should have a jet powered model!!!

[@carstenhansen5757]

Is there any unbiased flight review anywhere?

[@drew65sep]

So what is to become of Icon with it's recent misfortune? I heard rumors that sales were horrible and the company just months away from folding?

[@marciofernandesdarosa4405]

Eu amo avião yes my Love

[@mindlab780ab6]

What kind of flight training or license required?

[@morgancaptain5842]

Amazing, congratulations!!!

[@youtubehanmono5347]

특이점이 온다...

[@taurus66]

great toy to have

[@Foxx607]

what level of FAA clearance is needed to own an operate such a plane.

[@brianmcgee115]

LSA Lic and a float plane cert

[@SixStringflyboy]

To get the Sport Pilot license you basically just need a valid drivers license and minimum of 20 hours of flight time (15 with instructor, 5 solo, all of which must include: 2 hours of cross-country flight, 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop, 3 hours flight time in prep for the practical test, solo cross-country of at least 75 nm total to airports at least 25 nm from each other, and ground school instruction. Plus you must pass the FAA written knowledge test for sport pilot before you can take the practical exam).

[@southsideman4891]

MONEY

[@carmenchicas186]

Estan nice 😍

[@costmostchannel578]

Water surfaces must be very calm than smooth the landing

[@Darrell1019]

Since I'm going to become quite wealthy, I think that this will be on my early acquisition shopping list(s)!

[@marioguti9887]

You have some sort of death wish?

[@southsideman4891]

MAKE THAT THE LAST THING ON YOUR LIST

[@danejohns5042]

Mario Gutierrez The overwhelming cause of GA fatalities is due to pilot error. If you're basing your comment on Roy Halliday's crash, then you're kind of an idiot in this pilot's opinion. I would never do the maneuvers he was doing when he crashed because- wait for it: THEY ARE DANGEROUS.

[@HAugusto54]

Love it...

[@orenges1674]

@backswing 72 If you were a witness, I'd like to ask a question. What was he doing with this plane and for how long was he doing it? And, do you think it was pilot error? Thanks!

[@Oban2006]

Orenges less than a month

[@SixStringflyboy]

www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/accidents/NTSB-report-details-steep-turns-and-dives-preceding-Roy-Halladay-s-fatal-crash_162845562

[@ejr5480]

Is this company still in business?

[@TexasGTO]

$200k+? You mean almost $400k LOL You wish 200k... Their basic model won't come out until 2019...

[@erictalkington5674]

It's 2019 and you were right. 398,000 fully loaded with a base price of 300,000 or so.

[@Justwantahover]

I wonder if the skiff has anything to do with it's anti stall characteristics, and acts a bit like a canard (in that respect)?

[@AdamsBrew78]

I’ve never been one to desire wealth...that is, until I discovered the Icon A5 ... Now I want to get busy making a small fortune!

[@thearmadilliestone]

It's a nice plane but I think the price tag may be prohibitive.

[@Mekratrig]

Off topic question, many year ago I seem to recall hearing that amphibious aircraft would get "on the step" when performing a watar take off. What means this? Is this a real thing or just a failed memory?

[@tomdavie7063]

Pretty sure that's a sailing term (or probably just motorboats, I doubt most yachts could go fast enough) for when you reach a certain speed and the hull starts to hydroplane and lifts out of the water much more than it does when stationary.

[@bmzaron713]

Does Walmart carry these?

[@casinosnoopy9900]

They would if only they were made in China.

[@Mr.MastaNastyNiggyNate]

Want!

[@Apollo9733us]

ICON #5 crashed and killed both on-board, the canopy literally separated from the aircraft. RIP...so much for their safety features on this flying jet ski. 10 years, well over 100 million spent to develop and they can't even deliver a product, but who would want it? This has been a decade long commercial...this pretty much nailed the coffin closed on Icon.

[@evanfinch4987]

Looks like about 1,800 people (with the money) want it, according to the backlog.

[@shannon1664]

The NTSB investigation into the crash showed the pilot entered a canyon too small for the aircraft. He had entered a similar looking area not too far from the crash before and some believe he mistook the canyon for the one he was familiar with.

[@mitchmasterfix5292]

Check out 4:07 in this vid. Maybe the engineer/pilot thought he could do the maneuver in a real situationan and miscalculated.

[@marioguti9887]

Evan Finch That 1,800 backlog list just got a lot shorter after Halladay's crash...

[@harryrushton5270]

This would be really fun in GTA v

[@andrecerqueira2161]

We already have the dodo

[@Papanza295]

@W M who got on your nerves?

[@jaysantos5941]

SPLASH!!!!!!

[@blackielawless2791]

How much is it?

[@sarcasmo57]

Well I know what I'm getting the kids for Christmas.

[@uhitsethan]

can you adopt me

[@gulfstream-tvstudios9546]

R.I.P.

[@azcharlie2009]

Are you required to have life jackets when flying off water?

[@kingcoreyair]

Narrator sounds like the same guy from Unsolved Mysteries.

[@mustafahamza689]

Nice

[@gregbartley4089]

I WANT ONE!!!!!! Too bad I'm poor..........

[@m_amirulhadi]

i am afraid that phone thrown out the window from the pocket

[@dudeman7562]

No 5 point seat belt system??? Weird

[@bustdetector1738]

This thing should be renamed the “I gone A bye” with all the crashes lately.

[@eddiecongdon8017]

Sick

[@bunakkaptan]

I am so sorry that 3 people ( Designer.Test Pilot and a Turk Engineer died during a test flight on 05.08.2017 ) R.I.P guys..

[@osanshouo1684]

you mean two

[@vanhelsing3225]

bunakkaptan keep it up

[@pellajoe]

Add MLB pitcher Roy Halladay to the list as he died today in one of these 11/07/17

[@Rmadden727]

that's why i am here, these things do not seems safe at all. It seems like a strong gust of downwind could possibly send it into a nose dive or becoming unable to recover.

[@otron805]

Im interested. do i need a license to fly this ?

[@spikeafrica]

Yes.

[@PleaseDontFeedTheAnimals]

It's a shame the lead engineer passed away

[@berniemccann8935]

The designer/lead engineer was a reckless pilot too.

[@southsideman4891]

AND KILLED ROY HALLADAY