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When and where did the ICON A5 first fly?
ICON says ESN-1 made its first flight on July 7, 2014, in Tehachapi, California. The company announced the milestone on July 28, 2014, at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. ICON described ESN-1 as its first aircraft built from the production design using production tooling, methods, and components. In the announcement, ICON test pilot and lead aero engineer Jon Karkow said, “ESN-1 performed very well on its first flight.” ICON’s dated announcement
Was that the first customer ICON A5?
No. ESN-1 was part of a three-aircraft program intended to verify performance and complete FAA approval before customer deliveries. AOPA reported that the first customer aircraft, Aircraft Serial Number 1 (ASN-1), flew on April 24, 2015. The different serial-number prefixes matter: ESN-1 identifies the engineering test aircraft, while ASN-1 was the first customer-built aircraft. AOPA’s April 2015 report
How the flight fits the A5 timeline
- July 7, 2014: ESN-1’s first flight in Tehachapi, California.
- July 28, 2014: ICON publicly announced ESN-1 at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh.
- April 24, 2015: ASN-1, the first customer aircraft, flew, according to AOPA.
- December 26, 2023: ICON announced FAA primary-category type certification for the A5. This later certification milestone is distinct from the 2014 test flight. ICON’s certification announcement and the Federal Register design-criteria notice
What kind of aircraft is the ICON A5?
The A5 is a two-seat, single-engine amphibious light-sport aircraft. ICON’s Pilot’s Operating Handbook describes manually foldable wings, retractable tricycle landing gear, and a Rotax 912 iS Sport engine rated at 100 horsepower. The handbook notes that A5s exist in multiple configurations, including differences in navigation and avionics, so an individual aircraft’s serial number and handbook are important when identifying its equipment. ICON A5 Pilot’s Operating Handbook
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What performance figures does ICON publish?
ICON’s current specification page lists a maximum speed of 95 KTAS and a range of 427 nautical miles with a 45-minute reserve. It lists takeoff distances of 640 feet on a runway and 840 feet on water. ICON specifies that the takeoff and landing figures apply at 1,510 pounds maximum takeoff weight under standard conditions at sea level. These are manufacturer-published figures, not independent measurements of ESN-1’s first flight. ICON A5 specifications
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does the later certified edition relate to the 2014 aircraft?
The FAA primary-category type certification announced in 2023 was a later regulatory milestone; it should not be confused with the engineering aircraft’s 2014 first flight. ICON says the certified edition is especially intended for international markets, and its FAQ says the two aircraft have the same performance specifications. To assess a particular A5, check its serial number, certification category, and applicable handbook or configuration rather than assuming every aircraft has identical equipment. ICON A5 information and ICON A5 FAQ
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