Who is ICON’s target customer?

Basically anyone who currently flies or has ever dreamed of flying. ICON customers are either existing pilots who love flying for fun, or adventurous, recreational enthusiasts who have dreamed of flying but have never had the time or inspiration until now. The ICON A5 is designed to deliver a pure recreational flying experience that allows people to explore and interact with the planet in an exciting, visceral way like no other vehicle can.

What is the potential size of the LSA market?

While no one can say for certain, ICON believes the new Sport Pilot category created by the FAA now opens up flying to literally hundreds of thousands of people who have always dreamed of flying but previously found it too expensive, too intimidating, or too inaccessible. With these revolutionary regulatory changes in place, personal flying can now become a more mainstream activity, on par with other powersports activities. ICON’s in-depth market research conducted at Stanford University in 2005 discovered a large, latent (pent-up) demand for low-cost, consumer-friendly, sport aircraft. Given the significant size of the existing powersports markets and enormous latent interest in aviation, ICON believes the sport aircraft market, inspired by the right companies and products (like the ICON A5), has the potential to grow to tens of thousands of new aircraft per year in the next 10 years. ICON is designed from the ground up to become one of the premier producers of this new class of consumer-focused, sport planes.

Why does ICON think it can be successful where others have failed?

First and foremost, the new rules written by the FAA represent a “disruptive change”, one that dramatically alters the aviation landscape and opens up large new markets that have been previously inaccessible. This is a key differentiator for ICON’s business model as opposed to traditional, transportation aviation companies attempting to compete in static, saturated, and already competitive markets.

Second, since the LSA rules do not require the expensive, time-consuming FAR 23 certification process, and LSAs are simple, lightweight aircraft, they can be developed for a fraction of the capital required for traditional, transportation-focused aircraft companies.

Lastly, ICON realizes its ambitions are nontrivial, and that success will require an outstanding team. Thanks to the large new market opportunity and fewer regulatory constraints to access it, ICON has been able to recruit some of the world’s most talented individuals in every critical area.

Where is ICON headquartered?

ICON’s headquarters is in Los Angeles, California, near Marina Del Rey. ICON also has an engineering and fabrication facility in Tehachapi, California.

Where will ICON manufacture the A5?

Assembly of the A5 will begin at the existing facility in Tehachapi, California, with an eventual transition to a larger purpose-built facility elsewhere in the U.S. While several sites are currently under consideration, no final decision has been announced.

Do you entertain customer visits to your facility?

We welcome customer visits to our headquarters anytime; contact us to arrange a visit. Our A5 show model is usually on display there. Due to our ongoing flight test program, we do not schedule customer visits to our engineering development facility.

How is ICON “putting the fun back in flying”?

Every element of ICON centers around one thing: creating an aircraft that delivers the ultimate experience in recreational flying. There is no detail left to chance in this process. From creating a cockpit that is intuitive and easy to use, to lowering the dash and making the canopy large for a spectacular view out the front window, to making the aircraft amphibious to permit operations from airports, remote airfields, lakes and waterways, to even making it easily trailerable so it can go with on vacations. The ICON A5 is designed with one mission – to change the way people experience the world.

Is there currently an opportunity to invest in ICON?

ICON is not currently accepting investments. Potentially there will be investing opportunities in the future. ICON only works with accredited investors. Further information may be obtained by contacting ICON at investor@iconaircraft.com.

Does ICON plan to release more models in the future?

As the launch product, the A5 is ICON’s sole focus at this time. ICON is committed to bringing this innovative Light Sport Aircraft to market and providing owners with an exceptional and unique sport aviation experience. ICON’s goal is to be a prominent manufacturer in the Light Sport Aircraft category; that may lead to further models down the road, but nothing has been announced at this point.

How has ICON been funded to date?

ICON is privately funded through staged equity financing in the typical Silicon Valley startup model. ICON investors are comprised of experienced Silicon Valley venture capital investors, seasoned entrepreneurs, and aviation investors. For confidentiality reasons, ICON, like most non-public companies, does not disclose the details of its financials.