CEO of ICON Aircraft, Kirk Hawkins Provides an A5 Update After the FAA regulation change in 2004, the newly developed LSA category opened a thrilling new opportunity for aircraft primarily targeting recreational pilots. In the years following, the LSA category has led to the development of electrifyingly innovative design prototypes, including the ICON A5, the first amphibious personal sport plane from ICON Aircraft. On July 27th, 2009, a year after its first public unveiling at EAA AirVenture 2008, the ICON A5 made another thrilling debut for AirVenture attendees, the first public flight from land. Just days later, Test Pilot and Lead Aero Engineer Jon Karkow dazzled visiting crowds with a demonstration of the ICON A5s remarkable water handling capabilities at the EAA Seaplane Base. After successfully completing a series of hydrostatic and hydrodynamic tests in May of 2009, the ICON A5 will continue its rigorous engineering and test program through the end of this year. To improve the aircrafts efficiency, several areas will be modified for optimized performance including the gear installation, aerodynamic enhancement, hull drag reduction, and water-rudder improvements. Currently, the first two years of production have already been presold with the aircraft position list surpassing number 400 this summer. Copyright 2009, Aero-News Network, Inc., All Rights Reserved. FMI: www.iconaircraft.com www.aero-tv.net, http twitter.com