ICON A5 - Cost to Own

[@TheQuantumPotato]

I will absolutely never have the money to own one of these, but after watching this video, I'm happy to say that I've made an informed decision not to buy one due to the high overheads.

[@Bringbackcicispizza]

Buy amc stock.

[@lucasbrien5008]

@@Bringbackcicispizza no... Don't

[@RyanSymancek]

Just watched every video you’ve made so far in one sitting! Absolutely brilliant, and I can’t wait to watch more plane cost breakdowns!! Great presentation and graphics. I think you hit a gold mine of a topic here. Could watch breakdowns of my favorite planes all day!

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Wow, Thanks

[@drewc5576]

How long did that take you?

[@bcd5024]

Damn! I knew they were pricey, but I didn't realize the cost of ownership was also so high

[@beesmongeese2978]

Right. Just get a hang glider, inflatable arm floaters and fart for propulsion.

[@Shepardofman]

About as much as a Lambo.

[@beesmongeese2978]

@@Shepardofman For many flying enthusiasts part of the fun of small planes is having everything barebones, light and and a bit rough around the edges. The Icon is so far from that.

[@Ibrahimarm]

@@beesmongeese2978 It's not polished, they just made things look like a car. The interior is basically a 2-seat car cabin in an airplane. Extremely unappealing, in my opinion.

[@grafhilgenhurst9717]

I got to fly one of these a couple years ago. An absolute blast to fly! It has an angle of attack indicator, just keep it out of the red zone and it won't stall. Rotax engine spins faster than a Lycoming, I always had the feeling I was redlining the engine, but I wasn't. Not very practical, but what fun!

[@kenaragon7040]

Super Petrel LS, great alternative for almost half the price. Better useful load, range, and handling characteristics. Supportive company/manufacturer as well

[@madhukarjonathanminj2772]

Looks prettier as well

[@PrerogativeDefiner]

I just found this guy today and have been watching all the videos. At first I thought he pronounced "Cessna" oddly but didn't think much more of it. I just heard him 1:09 say "a garaaj ore a barnh" and finally understood the accent. Great videos 10/10 keep them up. I will watch all of them.

[@CompleteWalkaround]

I laughed out loud. Haha. Thanks for watching

[@blindsight_music_]

graaj or bahn

[@ahmedxh]

Best aviation Chanel on KZbin

[@gmcjetpilot]

Really? It's good but best? I'll say it's the best "what does it cost to own" channel.

[@daveh7720]

At less than two minutes I assumed this was going to be a pitch for the _real_ video. (grin) But you packed a lot of info in here. Nice job, and thank you!

[@gmcjetpilot]

For the same price you can buy either a C180, C182, C185, C206 on Amphibious floats for less, that can haul a bunch of hunters to back country or dear or elk out.

[@anthonycyr9657]

My point exactley..

[@smasheduptoaster9186]

The icon has a parachute, looks super sleek, and requires much less training time due to being a light sport.

[@anthonycyr9657]

@@smasheduptoaster9186 the parachute hasnt saved any lives yet tho, and for the price of the icon , training price shouldnt be an issue when you buy a real airplane..

[@gmcjetpilot]

@@smasheduptoaster9186 The Cirrus SR22 has a BRS chute and looks slick, take 4 people across country at twice the speed 220 knots. Icon max speed 105 knots. Ha ha. Slow is not sexy. You don't buy planes on emotion. ICON has no payload. It is a toy, a very expensive toy. A used Cirrus SR20 or SR22 can be had under $200, nice condition fully loaded IFR.

[@smasheduptoaster9186]

@@gmcjetpilot The SR22 STARTS at around $800,000

[@SogenOkami]

I've flown this a lot in FS2020, did some full planned VFR flights. I'd totally buy one but I could get an IFR certed plane for the cost.

[@danielbrowniel]

when I flew it the first time, it's handling is so intuitive it's like a car. I'm surprised it's so expensive, it's very simple.

[@failtolawl]

@@danielbrowniel it's expensive because its so simple

[@33jayy]

Bruh you're a legend. No bs, straight to point 👌👌👌

[@ImpactWench]

"investigate things like the Super Betrayal..." Thank you, captioning engine. I'll definitely consider flying around in something as staunchly reliable as that sounds.

[@dmitrybabanin8990]

What was meant though?

[@ImpactWench]

@@dmitrybabanin8990 super petrel

[@dmitrybabanin8990]

@@ImpactWench thanks!

[@draufganger620]

I feel like the icon a5 attracts the kind of buyer that, without any prior interest or experience in off-road 2-wheeled motorsports, suddenly buys an overpriced electric off-road bike from a Silicon Valley start-up to get into adventure riding after watching a hipster documentary on the Dakar rally or something. There are cheaper aircraft options out there that actually can cruise at a much better pace and boast better range. Aircrafts that won’t require you to skip a meal and drop a large deuce off in the toilet first if you plan on flying with anything other than the clothes on your back

[@extremeultralightaviation]

You said the airframe has a TBO, it was my understanding the airworthiness certificate EXPIRES after 20 years and can't be renewed. Plane must be scrapped. Plus, you MUST not disengage the proprietary gopro, and you sign a legal agreement to not say ANYTHING negative about the company.

[@suzukirider9030]

The LSA weight limit kills this thing. If they didn't have to cram everything into a 600kg MTOW this would be much better. There are "experimental" amphibian planes with x2 the useful load, x2 the range, x1.5 the speed, for half the price. Yes, they need a PPL, but if you can't be be bothered to get a PPL you prob. shouldn't be flying anyway. Well, okay, the latter is just my opinion. I got an SPL first but then realized that it limits me to, well - toy airplanes. And no night flying. And no IFR. So... upgraded to the PPL. And fly larger airplanes for less cost than with the SPL.

[@JETZcorp]

Yeah, the whole Light Sport category seems to be a bit of an issue. You can spend 12k for a PPL and get to fly 30k airplanes, or get the cheap license and only fly $300k airplanes on July afternoons. PPL just makes more sense. If the Cessna 150 and Piper Tomahawk were legally LSAs, THEN we might have something going on.

[@carsonhinterlong9949]

the only reason the ICON A5 should be considered is if you are medically unable to acquire a PPL

[@excellenceinanimation960]

Love your videos! Simple and right to the point!

[@IconicFlight]

Here is the latest info since you made this - ICON production is up (I think they are up to 220) and will be expanding with new international certification to Asia and Europe. Great plane for the mission it was built for. Like a Piper Cub-low, slow, and fun. No 200kts 1000nm cruiser. Yes cost is high compared to used market of 30yr old planes, but premium light sports are in the same price range. Kit modeled planes are cheaper, but you have to be honest, they are not as finished (and I am not saying there is anything wrong with them). That's fine because market selection at various price points is a good thing. Don’t forget, a new Cirrus is 1.3mil. The Vickers looks awesome and I have been waiting years to see one. Vickers is learning it is harder to go from design to production, just like ICON. Hopefully Vickers can take advantage of the ICON lessons learned. Looking forward to them in the market. And note, Vickers will have the same issue with insurance liability. All amphibious planes carry a premium due to land/water ops (as Paul from AVWEB says, "A percentage of amphibious pilots will become U-Boat Commanders"). Vickers and all the other amphibious light sports are not be immune to that in US Markets. My guess is TBO of airframe will probably increase as data comes in on the older aircraft. Most aren't anywhere near 2000hrs, so they can't do analysis just yet. Just like with the 787, carbon based planes gather more useful data as airframes age to predict maintenance direction of fleet. ICON will be the same. As for useful load and performance. That has been improved since this video was made. With the new 4-blade prop, you gain 10lbs of useful load, and marked improved performance (though I didn't have an issue flying the 3 blade, but 4 is definitely better). With the newly release mod of additional VGs, you add ANOTHER 60lbs of useful load taking it to at least 490lbs for a max weight of 1570, but that may be higher due to airframe. My airframe weight will take 503lbs to get to max. Read more here www.planeandpilotmag.com/icon-bumps-useful-load-of-a5-lsa-seaplane/

[@DeezNutz-wy8tp]

Heyy, I absolutely love your very informative videos!!! I am an aerobatic competition pilot and would love to see some breakdowns on aerobatic aircraft. Specifically the new Game Bird Gb 1 and the Extra 300L. Both of which I have had the absolute pleasure to fly.

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Very cool. I have some stuff on Extra 330 LT

[@joseconcepcion3796]

Do a video of those other sea planes you mention since I can't afford an icon A5!

[@oceanairbrush]

Id love to see a cost of ownership video of the searey

[@stoops417]

Would love to see videos on Carbon Cub or X-Cub

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Good call. Thanks

[@Videolinquency]

Exactly. Get an old C210 like I did and do some worthwhile stuff way cheaper! Even counting that you will need two taxi cabs and an interpreter when you arrive at your destination!

[@spider0804]

Meanwhile in the midwest. "Yea we got that 30 year old ultralight in the barn there, go take er for a spin!"

[@martinanderson4302]

Love your videos! Keep them coming! Can you do a Lake Renegade and Buccaneer?

[@lukephillips2467]

Love the channel. Your information and style is on point, defiantly got me as a subscriber. Would like to see videos on the on the Searey and the 6 seat Seabear, if you could

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Thanks! Both in the queue, thanks for watching

[@ThalassTKynn]

I would definitely like to see a review of the searey. I'd also like to see reviews of the fisher flying products aircraft. I've been looking at their planes for a while. Maybe one day haha

[@gmcjetpilot]

Also LAKE amphibian airplanes Renegade, Buccaneer, LA-4) certified 4/5 place you can buy for much less. ($100k-$280k). iCON A5 has a terrible accident record because it's underpowered, a Toy. YOUR suggestions of low cost amphibious alternatives with similar pusher configuration are sport on. They are 1/4th the price. All these little lightweight land/water EAB kit planes or LSA's are recreational vehicles not serious aircraft in regards to payload, range, speed. The A5 is in business kind of I think, but is on life support. My cousin lives in Sacramento near where the city where ICON started manufacturing. The city gave them all kinds of tax and permit approvals. They regret it. They layed everyone off.

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Very true

[@darrenicon5172]

They are living on Chinese money a sad fact for many companies in aero and more it’s happening in my country Australia 😩

[@sectokia1909]

I don't really see any terrible record for Icon. I only see 3 crashes - where all 3 pilots were flying like absolute idiots with a death wish. They would have killed themselves in anything.

[@gmcjetpilot]

@@sectokia1909 Less than 100 have been built in 7 years and there has been 6 accidents* and two of those were fatal. One of the fatal accidents was with Icon A5 factory demo test pilot. 6 accidents and 100 airplanes is really bad. This does not include incidents not in NTSB database. kzbin.infoqHvyjqSS1nU?feature=share * Accident means fatal, serious injury and/or significant aircraft damage. There can be non reported incidents of which there are a few.

[@darrenicon5172]

Yes I agree all crashes have been pilot error 100% i don’t think people know this as usual they blame the aircraft before researching the facts. Well done.👍

[@yavoz.]

One day I hope to see a video like this on the BD4-C

[@dahveed284]

Great video. Concise and to the point.

[@peter__p_a_n2563]

@Complete Walkaround love the videos, would certainly be interested in the Carbon Cub SS and Searey if you get around to making them. Thanks

[@abdallanassar5692]

Seamax m22 please

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

The ICON A5 - for those with more money than sense!

[@coplepk04]

As someone who lives near a lake that has not one but two A5s docked on it, I would love to see a CTO video on a Carbon Cub SS to see if I could just get that to flex on my neighbors ;)

[@CompleteWalkaround]

You would certainly be the more savvy shopper. I bet that is a very nice lake 😎

[@oulupulu]

If I was seriously considering an Icon A5, then I'm super rich and Imma buy it to impress my friends.

[@brianhaygood183]

You'd also probably have a real airplane for trips, too, so this would just be a toy. Exactly like a jetski. Everyone I know who has one also has a real boat or few.

[@Maulinator69]

I own a Pipistrel Panthera. I'm 52 in excellent health. I've been flying for ten years and have logged 1600 hours in the air. My insurance is less than $2000 a year.

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Hi, I would be interested to hear more about your plane. Please send me a message on instagram or Facebook if you would like to chat. Thanks

[@logi7671]

I am interested in what is the cheapest float plane that isn't unobtainium or 100 years old

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Searey is probably close. More anphib videos to come

[@nicholaseng]

Would love to seee a carbon cub SS video

[@excellenceinanimation960]

Can you do a Sea Ray? I love that plane!

[@lthoang101]

Are there links to the alternative sea planes he listed?

[@BDESAI777]

What is the cheapest helicopter to buy and maintain

[@1Celebrindor]

What's the first plane you listed at 1:38? I can't understand what you are saying and closed captions think you said "super betrayal"

[@CompleteWalkaround]

LoL Super Patrel.

[@efox2001]

The A5 feels like a broken promise.

[@JuanPablo-lx8wo]

Love ur videos man

[@rogerbivins9144]

Who the heck would even want the thing!??? What a joke.

[@kazansky22]

Do the Risen Superveloce!

[@kurthoman242]

For anyone who knows these airplanes, if you were filthy rich would you own the Icon A5, or is there a similar plane you would choose instead?

[@Ciscoql]

Seamax and Searay please!

[@Alpha_fitz]

Actual cost is much more than an arm and a leg if one consults this planes safety record.

[@phlemdog]

Wasn't this the starter plane in Microsoft Flight Sim? The free one that was just mouse control. I remember laughing at the silliness of the specs at the time.

[@anthonycyr9657]

For the price of one of these overhyped toys, i can buy a pretty decent 182 amphib with the 550 conversion, and the money saved can go into running costs..

[@lesliefarr4758]

What is the cost to own a Lake Amphibian aircraft

[@ephraimwilliams870]

can you do edge 540

[@GaryJamesKnight]

Been flying the A5 for more than 3 years now and have time in all of the aircraft you mentioned. I’m sure it wasn’t intentional, but you missed some pretty big factors in this video related to cost and why someone would buy an A5 to begin with. I’d love to do another video with you on this.

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Hi, thanks, send me a msg on Instagram if you want to chat more

[@darrenicon5172]

I agree Gary but it won’t change performance figures like can’t have full gas and 2 people. A5 needs the 915 41% more power small increase in weight would like to get your thoughts on this with 3years of flying the A5. Thanks

[@GaryJamesKnight]

@@darrenicon5172 this is why I’d like to have a conversation with someone over video. I’ve never met anyone who has wanted to fly this airplane with a full tank of gas even alone. I’m getting ready for a solo flight by myself right now and only have 10 gallons in it.

[@darrenicon5172]

Thanks for reply Gary but I would like to take off with 2 onboard and full gas as when I fly it’s a full day of flying. Would also like the 915is installed for better all round performance would like your opinion on that if possible. I have been following ICON for many years and placed a deposit in 2012 now 10 years later I hear nothing from ICON I am in Australia a perfect environment for the A5 however I just don’t think it’s going to happen.

[@suzukirider9030]

Holy crap didn't know they also jammed a full-body chute in there! How much weight would it free up to throw it out alongside with the "ballistic rocket" which launches it? I mean most airplanes don't have either, and cannot even land on water! This thing is clearly geared towards coastal flying so even if the engine craps out you can just water-land it. And even over land, even if the gear also doesn't come out (i.e. complete electrical failure) - you can belly-land the thing at 40-45 kts... Why t.f. does it even have a chute? :-\

[@darrenicon5172]

The chute is to market it to people who only know cars with airbags it’s a physco sales technique to make people feel safe. I agree lose the chute but it will only save 15lbs 🤷‍♂️

[@Hydroculator]

1:10 - A grage or a bern?

[@gs6044]

MORE VIDEO PLEASE!!!

[@CompleteWalkaround]

I had the same idea!

[@TheDonkeyBONE]

Areostar 700, please.

[@hoffmn12]

Time for a video on the Lake Buccaneer! It’s ripe for parody.

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Parody?

[@accidentalfire1727]

A parachute on a daredevil ac that skims the surface?

[@CompleteWalkaround]

And can easily land on water. Marketing team was in charge of that I think.

[@2l8tiwin]

Yes yes yes. Carbon CUB Please

[@jaseg6673]

As someone who works on these planes regularly, they are not worth the price! And the maintenance is crazy

[@IsegrimSTP]

Nice ... now the LISA Akoya

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Sure, if they ever sell one

[@IsegrimSTP]

@@CompleteWalkaround Yeah i checked after my comment. I was somehow so sure they already did. XD

[@thenonpareilgroup.]

Well, that's your opinion. I like the fact that i ..you know waht, never mind

[@M0N0K0I]

Don't know how I got here, but this was oddly interesting.

[@thattransproto4510]

Perks of having my dad be the training pilot for one of the company’s locations: I get to fly in these beauties for essentially free.

[@bmjake]

Yeah if I had one of these, I would just keep it in the garaaage.

[@billhamilton2366]

For that kind of money you could have an airworthy former Soviet bloc jet trainer with spares and still have lots of pocket money left over for the $100 hamburger but in this case it would be $1000.

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Indeed. Soviet bloc jet video coming very soon

[@strongme80]

This video is exaggerating, price of ownership only cost $120. Microsoft Flight Simulator :-). Crash it as much as you want and the insurance premium will remain zero.

[@2Phast4Rocket]

The insurance cost is so high because many people died while flying this airplane. The chief designer of this airplane also died while testing flying it.

[@georgealdredge2806]

Three fatalities in two accidents = many people?

[@goldenfloof5469]

Dang, the cost per mile ain't much less than some of the turboprops.

[@toldt]

Pretty ridiculous for a jet ski with wings

[@andrewchr]

If you have money to buy an Icon, then you have money to maintain it.

[@jlb8696]

When the rules is a nightmare we deal with nightmare good fly hey don't forget to pay people get really big problem

[@brucejohnson1264]

Spot on!. Expensive and overweight. If you want an amphibious aircraft, get a real pilot license and a larger plane.

[@darrenicon5172]

Over priced-over weight-under powered

[@thatguyalex2835]

Someone needs to like land it on a landfill without a landing gear, (safely of course) cos that's where this plane belongs. :) Lol...

[@RARenfield]

With each new executive Kirk brought on board at Icon Aircraft, the price jumped. The Icon A5 was suppose to sell for $150K. Now it's a half-million dollar death trap for the guilded class. One of the saddest stories in modern aviation, and an epic fail.

[@f270]

I've seen this same "expensive death trap" comment elsewhere. Of course unexperienced pilots are going to have accidents. You try building and marketing a carbon fiber seaplane for under $400k. You're probably the same guy complaining about the cost of a carbon cub

[@RARenfield]

@@f270 Thanks for plane-splaining that for me. Why, it never even occurred to me that experience might be the culprit. That makes perfect sense. WAIT. Except their TEST PILOT killed himself AND a new hire at their HOME field. So much for lack of experience! BOOM! That was the sound of your argument hitting a canyon wall. And for the record, I never said it could be done for the original asking price. Kirk did!!! Also I never put a deposit on a Carbon Cub so, you are wrong yet again. I don't care what they cost. That's three strikes. Got any other fake news?

[@f270]

@@RARenfield Did you have a deposit on an Icon? Also the Icon test pilot tried flying up the wrong canyon, but you probably already knew that.

[@RARenfield]

@@f270 I know that dead pilot Jon Karkow was part of the design team, and the lead test pilot. Supposedly responsible for many of the safety features. But the ballistic parachute can only overcome so much pilot error. How did he confuse a canyon on his own home turf? Hubris? New hire had epic boobs?!? Regardless, no one can argue his experience in the Icon A5. I remember one of the prototype videos where Jon would dip a wingtip in flight. A man's got to know his limitations. Very sad tale. And yes. I put a down payment on one. Then I retired Icon owner position #1640 after too many price hikes and failed deadlines. Lots of more worthy toys in that price range.

[@danielsnook5029]

Does the purchase price include all funeral costs?🤣

[@jantschierschky3461]

Never even known about those, so therefore never wanted one

[@UncleFester84]

Never liked the A5, i'd much rather have a searey

[@andresmonagas7662]

The video basically says: "It's not for you pal"

[@thatguy7085]

I should have bought when they first came out. Now they are over priced Mexican fiberglass toys.

[@leftcoaster67]

Jet Ski can carry more. LOL

[@therighthonourabletimothy5448]

For me, it's the ICON A5 or nothing!

[@metacob]

If you're someone who watches a "cost of ownership" video before buying an Icon A5, you can't afford an Icon A5.

[@jamesbaker7112]

We monied, landed and airplaned aristocrats don't concern ourselves with such crass penny pinchery.

[@stianberg5645]

Now I don't want one.