AIRCRAFT : Icon A5

I am seriously considering getting back into flying, which I haven't touched, per se, for over 30 years. I've flown with friends, relatives who own, periodically in-between, but never wanted to own or take it up constantly again, until about a year ago.

Wife bought me some trips on flights, knowing I would love it, and yes, getting the 'hankering' to get back at it. We drive the Ferraris to our resort typically, but friends there are flying in or in most cases have their own Helicopters and that's what got me interested again.....we start to talk cars, then planes then boats etc.

Here's the thing. Haven't done my research yet, just preliminary 'starry eyed' stuff. This new plane is coming soon on the market and looks to be more in my line, for my class and casual use of < 200 miles one way. At about $140,000, it looks to be fun and easier to handle in the storage department once used.

http://www.iconaircraft.com/
http://www.iconaircraft.com/features.html


What I am trying to get from others more currently in the game of constant flying is what do you think of this new entry in the FAA's "light-sport Class"?

PS: look at the features, although, it starts with the glitzy watercraft it is more of a typical land model I care about.

 

So, these are typically too light-weight for anything other than touch-n-gos, or the 'once around the block'? That doesn't sound at all interesting to me if I can't go the approximate 400mi/RT jaunt.

I was hoping [like I said, haven't done ANY research yet in the LSA--which sounds like NO cross country is basically allowed] NOT to get into the typical FAA yearly or maintenance arena.....I understand this Icon A5 has inspections, but highly scaled a bit for more casual use [water portion would have me wonding]

Oh, well...perhaps too much of a pipe dream....will do some more LSA exploration....

 

Those look neat.

 

LOL. no, NEVER want less than a good engine when I'm a few feet off the ground. I put 1gal = 8#s. It uses unleaded lol.

that speed isn't my cup of tea AT ALL. wouldn't trust that except in ultralights. Although, our resort is over central CA valley, lighter/heat, there are strong central winds, very strong, over Davis.

your right, this isn't a craft for anyware except the bling at a lake resort for the once around the block....will still look over the LSA program, though and see what that's about.
thanks.
rik

 

LSAs are a wonderful group of planes containing the latest technologies as well as some true classics.To me, LSAs cover the beginning and end of aviation - a great entry level enjoyment of flying, and also a means of flying for those that just love the experience of flying needing not to seriously travel (like me).
My first airplane was an LSA --- back in 1986. Although I had my license, I learned more about what flying really is from a 1946 Aeronca, which today can be bought and flown as an LSA. There is no more smiles per dollar available in car or plane than in a plane like that for those that like to fly. Although a bit extreme in my opinion, an hour in an Aeronca Champ is worth more than any time in a Bugatti Veryon.

The new LSA'a are really designed to bring more folks into and keep folks in GA.

Last year, though, I lost a friend in an LSA crash. Density altitude is density altitude and may require a bit more power than some of these planes produce. In the end the laws of physics are not overcome by the latest technology. So flying is still flying - but these planes offer a great way into the most wonderful of all of man's achievements.

 

Another plane you might think about though clearly MUCH cheaper than you are thinking are the Piper Comanche's... They have the 180, 250, 260, and 400... They range anywhere from about $35kish (for a decent looking VFR regular flier) to $150k for a Concours 400! The 180's will do 150 mph on 8.5 gal/hour and fly you and three (not so big, or not on full tanks) friends wherever you want to go! I have a neighbor (live in fly in fly out 'hood) with a 250 that will cruise at 183 mph! Climbs like a bat outta hell too!! He out climbs the V35's and A36's here in the hood! Then you have the 400's that will do 220 mph but burn 25 gal/hour and cost a fortune to buy and to maintain...

Lots of great choices out there if you don't mind stepping back a little ways in time...

Good luck! Oh, I do think that LSA is a cool looking little plane! I wish that the Russian Sigma had been brought into the country...being in a wheelchair it is one of the ONLY aircraft that I can go straight from the wheelchair into the pilots seat!

Best,
James

 

learned on a 150, then up the ladder. Great AC, as that's what I obtained my license. FILaw had a Mooney and lovely Beech Bonanza: he was an instructor during WWII and one of the first to retire as a UAL pilot. Had friends with other crafts. I was liking the ease of this Icon's interior, but, like I said, haven't done my due diligence yet....steps one at a time. It would be quite a change and charging into it isn't my style nor desire to waste money on finding out. Probably will do the re-familiarization of getting to fly again, and decide from there. Heck, might just go back to the rental game for the occ. weekender.

For instance, I was not aware the old timers were in that range, as that would have been just my 1/2 share a few years [decades?] ago.

PS: I have a friend, will be seeing at tom/sat's car show, who makes custom rods that are to die for. He has custom hand controls in that he's para-p. Do you require any special controls for your flying? Brakes/rudder etc.
s/
rik

 

rik,

Cool about the rods! Yea, real PITA on the handcontrols. That is why I put my training on hold... Plane was always down. I had to stack to pallets and put a ramp up to them just to get up on the wing of the airplane and then had to put my damn handcontrols in! It just got to the point of insanity... Then there is the whole FAA taking a YEAR to approve my medical...by then I was pissed and tired of messing with it. I have a hanger right across the street from my house and will eventually put a Comanche in it... That way I can put my handcontrols in the bird and LEAVE THEM! Finish (really will have to restart from the beginning) my training in my own A/C.

They are AMAZINGLY affordable. I passed on a Comanche 180 last year maybe 1.5 years back now that ended up going for $35k or a touch less... Yellow and white w/ a thin red strip. Pretty little bird I tell you! I would have LOVED to have had that car, but I just had to many other bills and such at the time...so I passed... I'll get back to that again. I'd like to get a Ferrari first though.

Best,
James

 

$35k for 180 !! Is that the ball park now? or needing an annual re-do?

I would expect that doing your own controlls would be near a necessity. You would have total control over the mechanics and know they are up to speed. As for ramp, well sure there are some neat things out there to even include a sort of cherry picker elevator or such, but you would know better than I, never even thought of that problem before...but, duh.

With right trim, that 180 is a cake to fly....remember doing some fun things with just trim and throttle.

 

$35k should be current or even on the high side for an active ready to fly EARLY (ie 59-61) 180... That would not be a concours plane in any way, but it would be fully functional and ready to go. Minimum instruments, VFR only, old style panel, minimal radio, no AP, and only decent paint and interior with a mid time engine/prop...

My neighbor with a SUPER NICE 250 (freaking gorgeous plane) with all kinds of speed mods and good for 185 mph true but a timed out engine (good time on the prop I think though) knows his plane as nice as it is would not even pull $45k...that is why he keeps hanging on to it...I told him he could give it to me...I'd take good care of it for him! LOL! He does still have the old panel w/ passable radios and no A/P... As I have seen on the 928 forum when said about the early 928's, "That car is $10k away from being a $5k car!" That is probably true about this aircraft. Figure $20k+ on a major, another $10k on the panel, buy the plane for $45k and now you have a $60k airplane that you just spent $75k on!

Where is that winning lottery ticket?! Dang it!

James