ICON Aircraft and Cirrus Aircraft have signed an agreement for Cirrus to build composite airframe components of the ICON A5 light sport aircraft (LSA).
The ICON A5 is a sleek Rotax-powered, high-wing, amphibious LSA capable of 105 knots with a max take-off weight of 648 kg.
All composite structures produced by Cirrus for ICON will be manufactured exclusively in the Cirrus Grand Forks, North Dakota, factory alongside the SR20 and SR22 component production lines. ICON will retain control of design, integration and final assembly at their plant in Tehachapi, California.
“Cirrus has a global reputation for producing truly outstanding composite aircraft structures,” said Kirk Hawkins, founder and CEO of ICON Aircraft. “Their extensive experience, specifically in composite sandwich-production techniques, makes them an ideal production partner for ICON. We are thrilled that Cirrus is demonstrating their commitment to growing aviation at the consumer entry point through this collaboration with ICON.”
Cirrus CEO Dale Klapmeier was equally glowing when he spoke about the new arrangement.
“The ICON A5 is certainly the most innovative LSA on the market, and we’re delighted to be able to play a meaningful role in bringing it to production,” he said. “We believe that Light Sport Aircraft and sport pilots are critically important to the growth and future of aviation. Cirrus and ICON share the common vision that exciting, innovative and safe new aircraft are a key to unlocking the enormous potential within our industry.
“ICON has hit the nail on the head with the A5, and we’re excited to combine Cirrus’ 15-plus years of world-class composite aircraft development and production experience with ICON’s truly exceptional consumer product design and engineering abilities.”
Component manufacture will begin in late 2012, with the first production aircraft due mid 2013. ICON has 850 deposits for the $US139,000 aircraft. For more details of the A5, go to www.iconaircraft.com.