Icon A5 Request For Weight Increase Exemption Status

[Buzz]

Approximately one-third of the total deposit holders(about 1000) are non-pilots

80% of people that start GA flight training never finish it according to AOPA research. Maybe some of those well-healed non-pilots will find out the "Let's buy a cool airplane first and then become a pilot" wasn't as straightforward as they thought. ["Gee Honey, this is a bit more than just buying a "boat with wings"."]

Then a bunch of A-5s will come on the used market at a big price discount for the rest of us!


-Buzz

[kmhd1]

Late Monday 4/15/13, on the Federal Register website, an update to Icon's weight exemption request was posted:

http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketD...=FAA-2012-0514

The odd thing is that it does not specifically answer the exemption request but instead goes in to detail about the new FAA SLSA Strategic Plan. It would seem to bode well for Icon given that the plan calls for increased innovation and safety but with no precise mention of Icon its hard to tell what this is saying.

Any thoughts?

[rwanttaja]

Late Monday 4/15/13, on the Federal Register website, an update to Icon's weight exemption request was posted:

http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketD...=FAA-2012-0514

The odd thing is that it does not specifically answer the exemption request but instead goes in to detail about the new FAA SLSA Strategic Plan. It would seem to bode well for Icon given that the plan calls for increased innovation and safety but with no precise mention of Icon its hard to tell what this is saying.

Any thoughts?

You'll also notice that the site contains one critical letter regarding the potential for Icon to be granted an exemption. It's obviously not a slam-dunk. GAMA, EAA, and AOPA have chimed in in favor, at least.

One amusing aspect: The FAA guy involved is Earl Lawrence, who used to be EAA's Goverment specialist.

Ron Wanttaja

[Floatsflyer]

kmhd1, as you've pointed out this FAA document has nothing to do with the decision on Icon's request. It's a blueprint from Aug. 2012 that sets out their overall certification strategy to operationally manage SLSA into the future and sets out objectives to support and move the strategy forward.

Some history--It's now been over one year since Icon submitted the request and still no decision. FAA promised a decision by end of August 2012 and then delayed it untill December, 2012 with still no decision. No further info whatsoever from FAA since. It remains in limbo and I suspect it's because with all this sequestration(man, I hate this word) stuff going on, it has not been a priority in terms of resources(people) dedicated to it.

Notwithstanding a lack of FAA decision making, Icon continues to move rapidly and confidently forward towards production as if they have had a positive decision. As I've said on this thread and others many times with reasons, I believe they'll get the exemption. But the FAA/Small Airplane Directorate is sure taking their sweet time about it.

[kmhd1]

kmhd1, as you've pointed out this FAA document has nothing to do with the decision on Icon's request. It's a blueprint from Aug. 2012 that sets out their overall certification strategy to operationally manage SLSA into the future and sets out objectives to support and move the strategy forward.

Some history--It's now been over one year since Icon submitted the request and still no decision. FAA promised a decision by end of August 2012 and then delayed it untill December, 2012 with still no decision. No further info whatsoever from FAA since. It remains in limbo and I suspect it's because with all this sequestration(man, I hate this word) stuff going on, it has not been a priority in terms of resources(people) dedicated to it.

Notwithstanding a lack of FAA decision making, Icon continues to move rapidly and confidently forward towards production as if they have had a positive decision. As I've said on this thread and others many times with reasons, I believe they'll get the exemption. But the FAA/Small Airplane Directorate is sure taking their sweet time about it.

Yeah, it does appear Icon is full steam ahead. I just find it odd that they (US DOT / FAA) would post this to the exemption request docket now (4/15/13) given that the last response from them on the docket was that they were delaying a response until the end of 2012. Which as you mentioned has long since past.
Maybe they are just warming everyone up to their eventual decision (which they will be posting any day now... lol)

I also noticed someone posted on Icon's Facebook page earlier this month that they were a position holder and they wanted to find out the current LSA certification status. Icon responded and told the poster that they would essentially have a sales rep contact him directly to answer his question. Now if we could just get the poster to tell us what Icon's response was maybe we would have more solid information.

[Floatsflyer]

Yeah, it does appear Icon is full steam ahead.

I also noticed someone posted on Icon's Facebook page earlier this month that they were a position holder and they wanted to find out the current LSA certification status. Icon responded and told the poster that they would essentially have a sales rep contact him directly to answer his question. Now if we could just get the poster to tell us what Icon's response was maybe we would have more solid information.

As a very interested observer, I've been checking daily on the exemption status for a few months now. I'm not on Facebook( I think I might be one of only 27 people worldwide who are not-don't need it, don't want it), but if you are, perhaps you could "friend" this person and get an answer.

[kmhd1]

As a very interested observer, I've been checking daily on the exemption status for a few months now. I'm not on Facebook( I think I might be one of only 27 people worldwide who are not-don't need it, don't want it), but if you are, perhaps you could "friend" this person and get an answer.

Or, we could pull our money together, buy an aircraft position, and get the answer straight from the source....

[Floatsflyer]

Or, we could pull our money together, buy an aircraft position, and get the answer straight from the source....

I'd love to be on the order book, but like new car introductions, I always prefer to wait to consider buying until the 2nd or 3rd year of production.....when they've got all the bugs out.

[kmhd1]

I'd love to be on the order book, but like new car introductions, I always prefer to wait to consider buying until the 2nd or 3rd year of production.....when they've got all the bugs out.

Smart move for sure!

I also sent a direct email to Icon to see what I can find out... Not holding my breath, but you never know. I'll post if I hear anything back from them.

[kmhd1]

Smart move for sure!

I also sent a direct email to Icon to see what I can find out... Not holding my breath, but you never know. I'll post if I hear anything back from them.

A few hours ago, Icon posted on their Facebook page a response to my question:

"Hello we’re getting preliminary indications that the FAA has made a decision and are expecting an announcement within the next month or so. We’ll be sending out an announcement of our own once the FAA informs us formally of the outcome."

Looks like things might be getting interesting here shortly!

There was also another poster that asked whether the aircraft would be on the market this year and they said:

"... we are currently awaiting the FAA response to our exemption request. This decision permits the finalization of the A5’s production design, and any corresponding refinement to production schedule will be announced in the coming months."