Most airplanes require a hangar, a runway and a trip to the airport before you can even think about taking off.
The ICON A5 was designed to challenge that idea.
Built as a two-seat amphibious light-sport aircraft, the ICON A5 can take off from a runway, land on a lake, and then fold its wings for easier trailering and storage. Instead of being limited to traditional airports, it’s aimed at recreational pilots who want an aircraft that’s as much about adventure as transportation.
With its distinctive carbon-fiber body, panoramic cockpit and sports-car-inspired styling, the A5 has become one of the most recognizable recreational aircraft on the market.
Designed for adventure
Unlike many light aircraft that focus on cross-country travel or flight training, the ICON A5 was created around the idea of recreational flying.
Its amphibious design allows pilots to operate from both land and water, opening up destinations that conventional airplanes simply can’t reach.
Whether it’s a secluded lake, a coastal bay or a traditional runway, the aircraft is designed to transition between environments with minimal fuss.
The company describes the A5 as an aircraft built to make flying more approachable while encouraging pilots to enjoy the journey rather than simply getting from one place to another.
Folding wings make transport easier
One of the ICON A5’s standout features is its folding wing system.
Within minutes, both wings fold back alongside the fuselage, significantly reducing the aircraft’s width for ground transport and storage.
This allows owners to:
- Tow the aircraft on a trailer
- Store it in many residential garages
- Avoid the expense of permanent hangar storage
- Transport it to different lakes or airports by road
For many owners, this flexibility is one of the aircraft’s biggest selling points, making it practical to keep closer to home rather than at an airport.
Built for both land and water
The ICON A5 features retractable landing gear that allows it to operate from paved runways as well as lakes and other suitable bodies of water.
Its hull is shaped much like a small boat, while stabilizing sponsons on either side help keep the aircraft balanced during water operations.
Combined, these features allow pilots to taxi, take off and land safely in either environment, giving the aircraft capabilities that conventional light airplanes simply don’t offer.
A cockpit inspired by sports cars
Step inside the A5 and it feels noticeably different from many traditional training aircraft.
Large windows provide expansive visibility, while the bubble-style canopy creates an open, panoramic view of the surroundings.
On pleasant flying days, the side windows can even be removed, allowing occupants to enjoy an open-air flying experience.
The cockpit itself is designed with simplicity in mind, featuring an automotive-inspired layout intended to reduce pilot workload while keeping essential controls easy to reach.
Depending on configuration, buyers can also equip the aircraft with Garmin avionics and modern GPS navigation systems.
Carbon-fiber construction
The ICON A5 uses a lightweight carbon-fiber airframe that combines strength with reduced weight.
This construction helps improve performance while also contributing to corrosion resistance—particularly valuable for an aircraft that regularly operates around water.
Its sleek exterior isn’t just for appearance; the aerodynamic design also helps improve efficiency and handling.
Rotax power
Power comes from a fuel-injected Rotax 912 iS Sport engine producing approximately 100 horsepower.
The engine drives a rear-mounted pusher propeller, keeping the propeller safely behind the cockpit while giving the aircraft its distinctive appearance.
The engine is approved to operate on either premium automotive gasoline (minimum 91 octane where permitted) or 100LL aviation fuel, offering owners additional fueling flexibility.
Safety-focused engineering
ICON invested heavily in making the A5 approachable for recreational pilots, and safety played a major role in its development.
Key safety features include:
- Spin-Resistant Airframe (SRA): Designed to reduce the likelihood of entering an unrecoverable spin.
- Angle of Attack (AoA) indicator: Helps pilots better understand available lift, regardless of airspeed.
- ICON Parachute System (IPS): A whole-aircraft ballistic parachute designed to lower the aircraft safely in certain emergency situations.
- Low stall speed: Helps provide more forgiving low-speed handling.
- Excellent visibility: The large canopy improves situational awareness during both flight and water operations.
Together, these systems are intended to increase pilot confidence while supporting safer recreational flying.
Performance
According to ICON Aircraft, the A5 offers:
- Seats: 2
- Engine: Rotax 912 iS Sport
- Power: 100 hp
- Maximum cruise speed: Approximately 109 mph (175 km/h)
- Maximum gross weight: Up to 1,570 lb (712 kg) following the latest weight increase
- Fuel capacity: Approximately 20 gallons (76 liters)
- Range: Around 427 nautical miles (491 miles / 790 km) with reserve
- Construction: Carbon-fiber composite
- Operation: Land and water
- Wing system: Folding for easier trailering and storage
Actual performance varies depending on payload, weather conditions and operating environment.
Updates
ICON has continued refining the A5 over the years.
Among the most notable recent improvements are:
- An increase in the aircraft’s maximum gross weight, improving useful load.
- A new four-blade composite propeller designed to enhance overall performance and efficiency.
These updates provide owners with greater operational flexibility while maintaining the aircraft’s recreational focus.
Learning to fly the ICON A5
The A5 qualifies as a Special Light-Sport Aircraft (S-LSA) in the United States.
Many pilots fly it using a Sport Pilot Certificate, although requirements vary depending on the country and intended operations.
ICON also offers dedicated transition and flight training designed specifically around the aircraft’s unique handling characteristics and amphibious capabilities.
Pricing and availability
The ICON A5 has a starting price of US$394,000 for the Limited Edition configuration listed by the company.
Prospective buyers can reserve a production slot with a refundable US$20,000 deposit, after which ICON works with customers throughout the ordering, configuration and delivery process.
The company also offers guidance on pilot training, financing options and ownership support for new customers.
For the latest pricing, available configurations and delivery information, prospective buyers should contact ICON Aircraft directly, as specifications and availability may change over time.
Final thoughts
The ICON A5 isn’t trying to compete with conventional personal airplanes built primarily for transportation.
Instead, it offers something different—a recreational aircraft designed around the experience of flying itself.
With its amphibious capability, folding wings, carbon-fiber construction and safety-focused design, it allows pilots to explore lakes, coastlines and airports while offering the convenience of easier storage and transportation than many traditional aircraft.
For aviation enthusiasts looking for an airplane that blends the freedom of flight with the flexibility of a trailerable recreational vehicle, the ICON A5 remains one of the most distinctive aircraft available today.
Source: ICON Aircraft
