Debating on an Icon A5

[Jamie Kirk]

Any PIREPS? I would use it at our lake house which is a vacation home. Currently fly a Saratoga TCII and would keep it, this would basically be a toy to use at the lake.

 

[Salty]

Awful expensive toy. Seems kinda boring to me unless you do stuff that’ll get you killed. I’d rather have a lake. Twice the plane for a third of the money. https://www.trade-a-plane.com/searc...l=LA+4/200&listing_id=2417898&s-type=aircraft

 

[Dana]

If I was in the market for a LSA amphibian I'd be looking at the Searey. I don't think Searey offers folding wings like the Icon but you could probably build a hangar for the price difference.

 

[Racerx]

Awful expensive toy. Seems kinda boring to me unless you do stuff that’ll get you killed. I’d rather have a lake. Twice the plane for a third of the money. https://www.trade-a-plane.com/search?category_level1=Single+Engine+Piston&make=LAKE&model=LA+4/200&listing_id=2417898&s-type=aircraft

Cough Roy Halladay.... Don't forget the amphetamines in case you might chicken out

 

[Hang 4]

I have zero experience, but my impression is that it's like a jet-ski. Fun for 20 minutes, then boring and doesn't get used. I'd suggest think through what you imagine doing with it and imagine if it would be fun after doing it regularly after a month or so. As others have pointed out, there are a lot of other options with floats that might have more utility.

 

[Palmpilot]

Does Icon still have the ridiculous purchase contract terms?

[Edit] Turns out they ditched most of it:

Icon Throws Out Controversial Purchase Agreement - FLYING Magazine

Reacting to a public backlash that erupted after Icon Aircraft began circulating a 40-page purchase agreement that the company asked buyers of the A5 light sport amphibian to sign before they took delivery of their new airplanes, the California manufacturer has replaced the contract with a far...

www.flyingmag.com

 

[Jamie Kirk]

Awful expensive toy. Seems kinda boring to me unless you do stuff that’ll get you killed. I’d rather have a lake. Twice the plane for a third of the money. https://www.trade-a-plane.com/searc...l=LA+4/200&listing_id=2417898&s-type=aircraft

Icon is easier to store in hanger.

And while an expensive toy it’s no different than the boats, seadoos, seabreacher that cost money to maintain every year.

 

[Jamie Kirk]

If I was in the market for a LSA amphibian I'd be looking at the Searey. I don't think Searey offers folding wings like the Icon but you could probably build a hangar for the price difference.

Finally purchased a hanger at airport at lake house, they never come up for sale.

 

[Jamie Kirk]

I have zero experience, but my impression is that it's like a jet-ski. Fun for 20 minutes, then boring and doesn't get used. I'd suggest think through what you imagine doing with it and imagine if it would be fun after doing it regularly after a month or so. As others have pointed out, there are a lot of other options with floats that might have more utility.

Purchased a seabreacher, epitome of fun for 20 minutes. But then we put it away till next time or the next day.

I don’t see us using the Icon every day while out there but the waterway is open to all seaplanes

 

[OneCharlieTango]

For less than the cost of an Icon, I’d prefer a 185 on amphibs.

 

[Llk]

For the ridiculous retail price of an Icon, you can do infinitely better. Scrolling through controller, trade a plane, etc- they’re around 250k used and comfortably into the 3’s.

For that, you can get a 172, 180, 185 on floats all day- with zero issues.

Go through the sales process and see what you think. Visit Vacaville. Think about how viable the company’s future is. Then drop your money if you feel comfortable with it ….