Icon Aircraft has announced it intends to produce a fully-certified version of the A5 amphibian to attract more international customers.
The aircraft was originally introduced as a Light Sport Aircraft, which can be flown on a sport pilot certificate in the USA, but is a category not recognised by many other countries, which meant the aircraft couldn't operate in those countries without special permission.
"The Certified Edition [CE] matches the capabilities of the Limited Edition S-LSA, but has the benefit of being type-certified in the Primary Category by the FAA, which allows for more seamless adoption and certification by international aviation authorities," an Icon announcement states.
"The Certified Edition offers the same performance specifications as the S-LSA model and it comes equipped with the Garmin 796 avionics suite."
Icon has said the CE version will cost more than the LSA even though it is essentially the same aircraft because of the ongoing costs of maintaining an FAA production certificate. As an added benefit, Icon says the LSA version will now be built to higher standard than the ASTM requires of LSAs.
"Achieving Type Certification for the A5 means that Icon's design, testing, and manufacturing systems have been reviewed by the FAA to be fully compliant with all applicable requirements for Primary Category aircraft, just like any other GA aircraft.
"The S-LSA model of the A5 is certified to ASTM standards, which is a different governing body than the FAA.
"What is unique about Icon’s approach to type certification is that many of the same ASTM compliance documents and processes were able to be utilised in the certification process with the FAA, meaning that the S-LSA model of the A5 is manufactured to exceptionally high standards for a Light Sport Aircraft."
The CE version will require a Private Pilot Licence with a seaplane rating to fly, rather than the sport pilot certificate and seaplane endorsement needed for the LSA.