Icon A5 weight, useful load increased

The weight increase is retrofittable to existing A5s and is part of an option package that includes a four-blade propeller.

“In response to feedback from our owners and prospective customers, we elected to undertake further research and development to test the airframe and fully understand what we needed to do to increase the useful load,” said Icon CEO Jerry Meyer, who explained preparations for the weight increase began two years ago. “The solution is a reinforcement of our commitment to innovation, and a 60-pound increase is significant, especially in the LSA category.”

LSA rules limit amphibious aircraft to a maximum 1,430 pounds, but Icon received an FAA waiver in 2013 that upped the A5’s maximum gross weight to 1,680 pounds, based in part on the airplane’s spin-resistant features. Icon was already producing airplanes with a maximum gross weight of 1,510 pounds, however, and didn’t use the full amount of the FAA’s allowed weight increase.

Separately, the FAA recently certified the A5 in the primary category, a move the company expects to help with overseas sales in countries that don’t recognize the LSA category.

The 2024 Icon A5 has a base price of $409,000. Options include a Garmin G3X primary flight display and autopilot.