The Icon A5

ICON has been creating a series of special aircraft designs since 2005 and, led by a former U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot, has just released the ICON A5. This elegant plane was designed in compliance with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)'s demands, which regulates America's air traffic for this type of flight - recreational flight.

Even though it isn't the smallest plane ever created, the A5 is extremely compact and, with its folding wings, can easily be towed by a car. Another of A5's singularities is its cockpit, more simple and easier to understand and operate than many of the ones found in luxurious sports cars. Furthermore, this little airplane is able to take off from both the water and the ground, so it's able to take its passengers to places only reachable by car and/ or boat.

Another peculiarity, that proves how simple this plane is to fly, is the fact that you only need 20 hours of in-flight training to obtain a 'Sport Pilot License'. In order to fit in this category, however, the A5 must reach a maximum speed of 140 miles an hour, fly at 10.000 or less feet of altitude and fly only during the day.

Are you already interested in purchasing an A5? Its estimated price is 139.000 dollars, including a 5.000 dollar deposit, for the standard equipment. Still, if it's fear that's holding you back from buying the A5, you should know that, aside from having been created and built by one of the most experienced and renowned teams of engineers and aside from being considered safer than a personal helicopter, the A5 contains an inlayed parachute.

Source : http://obviousmag.org