Talk about airplanes! At last count, there are 39 (and growing) FAA certificated S-LSA (special light sport aircraft). These are factory-built ready to fly airplanes. If you can't afford a factory-built LSA, consider buying an E-LSA kit (experimental LSA - up to 99% complete).
Targetbuster wrote:I presumed that there was a written and checkride associated with it as the Practical Test Standards all seem to address the seaplane as a seperate rating.
My understanding is that those PTS items apply if you get your initial rating in the Light Sport category, seaplane class. However, to add another class to an existing LSA category rating, no additional knowledge test or practical test is required. (I'm not saying that's a good idea...)
They DO look COOL!!
I'll say!
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, 1C9 [email protected]
AvSport.org
facebook.com/SportFlying
SportPilotExaminer.US
Targetbuster wrote:I presumed that there was a written and checkride associated with it as the Practical Test Standards all seem to address the seaplane as a seperate rating.
My understanding is that those PTS items apply if you get your initial rating in the Light Sport category, seaplane class. However, to add another class to an existing LSA category rating, no additional knowledge test or practical test is required. (I'm not saying that's a good idea...)
That sounds correct to me. But I agree, a BAD idea.
ming1000 wrote:correct me if I'm wrong, SP can only fly fix landing gear planes.
True for LSA category, Airplane class. LSA category Glider and Seaplane classes are an exception.
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, 1C9 [email protected]
AvSport.org
facebook.com/SportFlying
SportPilotExaminer.US
From the 13 specifications an LSA must conform to:
(11) Fixed landing gear, except for an aircraft intended for operation on water or a glider.
(12) Fixed or repositionable landing gear, or a hull, for an aircraft intended for operation on water.
The Icon is just a different type of airplane for a unique market. It is made for fun and rec not to go cross country. Yes I would imagine they will have a challenge to trim the weight but they have quite the engineering team.
If they can pull it off, I feel they will be a huge benefit to us all in the LSA industry.
any ASEL pilot can add a seaplane rating (at the sport pilot level) per 61.321 one qualified CFI to train, another qualified CFI to do a proficiency check
Very cool looking plane... but, SO FAR, it's been almost nothing but marketing hype. This thing was announced 4 or 5 years ago, and they have yet to deliver one aircraft. The guys behind Icon have managed to get more press/media than all other LSAs combined. I'm skeptical. Their "jet ski of the sky" concept gets a lot of attention, but we all know flying is much more complicated (and expensive) than that.
Tim
The video does make it look like fun (and flying is indeed fun), however I do have to wonder how many people are going to be reckless with the aircraft based off of what they've seen in videos like this.
This plane is what the Light Sport segment needs more of. I personally only got interested in flight when reading a feature on the A5 on one of my favorite blogs.
The A5 and meeting a fantastic instructor are the two reasons I'm a pilot today.
ct4me wrote:Very cool looking plane... but, SO FAR, it's been almost nothing but marketing hype. This thing was announced 4 or 5 years ago, and they have yet to deliver one aircraft. The guys behind Icon have managed to get more press/media than all other LSAs combined. I'm skeptical. Their "jet ski of the sky" concept gets a lot of attention, but we all know flying is much more complicated (and expensive) than that.
Tim
I'd second this thought. Modern tech can make all kind of wonders for aircraft, but the question remains what can become a viable business.
Looking at realities of LSA market - A5 project looks to me more like a marketing pyramid based on engineering eye-candy pipe-dream that generates a steady stream of deposits to finance a development of a single prototype that most likely end up in bancruptcy and long chain of lawsuits by people trying to recover their deposits - with disappeared A5 engineering team gainfully employed somewhere in Arab Emirates to provide princely fun flying over ski resorts in the deserts.
I hope I'm wrong here. The plane also inspired me to look at LSAs....
Icon is trying to set up a shop in Georgia (State of Georgia, not Republic of Georgia). Looks like another Eclipse-like operation unfolding. If the past is any guide, airplanes are going to be produced, then investors are going to take a bath in bankrupcy, then we get a supply of pretty decent used airplanes with some good characteristics, which are still far too expensive and with murky perspectives of factory support.
Thanks for that link, Pete. Here's the most impressive part of the article:
The company has two locations in Los Angeles but is looking to expand manufacturing as it hopes to produce tens of thousands of new aircraft per year in the next 10 years, according to the website.
Tens of thousands of aircraft per year! This from one company, in an industry that sells about 2,000 total aircraft per year, worldwide -- I'm impressed!
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, 1C9 [email protected]
AvSport.org
facebook.com/SportFlying
SportPilotExaminer.US
Two current locations and looking to expand already, and all this with how many planes currently out in the field? I gotta grab my checkbook so I can get in on this investment action. Who's with me?
