Introduction: Icon A5 designed by Icon Aircraft is a new "light sport aircraft". This aircraft is a masterpiece jointly designed by an F-16 fighter pilot and a skateboard designer, and its shape gives a quick and sensitive sea monster visual sense. Recently, the plane took a test flight at the bank of Isabella Lake, north of Los Angeles. Let's take a look at the experience of Carl Hoffman, the author of the connection 。 (Source: Hangqu Aircraft Network)
The aircraft has previously completed aviation calculation, computer simulation and wind tunnel test. However, the first flight is usually very risky. At 6:30 in the morning, the wind speed was gentle, and test pilot Jon Karkow carried his parachute bag onto the cockpit. As it was the A5 maiden flight, Karkow was somewhat worried. The A5 knife shaped bottom plate wing makes the fuselage extremely stable on the water. The head of the technical team took photos of the A5 carbon fiber fuselage and wished him a successful test flight. Then Karkow started the propeller and rowed into the lake.
Icon Aircraft Kirk Hawkins, founder and CEO of Icon Aircraft, has developed A5 for five years. He wants to add the sense of motion of the water motor boat to the A5 design. The A5 wing can be folded for storage, and the cockpit window can be opened outward for ventilation. The driving operation is relatively simple. Hawkins aims to enable anyone who can afford to pay $139000 to fly the A5. In a few weeks, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, will hold the annual exhibition of the National Experimental Aircraft Association, and the A5 prototype will appear in the exhibition. If A5 can fly successfully, it will open up new markets for aircraft trading.
A5 has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. As early as 2004, the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States announced a new category of "light sport aircraft", which is between small private aircraft and ultra light "experimental" aircraft. A5 is cheaper than the former, while its endurance is better than the latter. For Ferrari and yacht enthusiasts, A5 is a perfect combination of the two. Hawkins said: "Those who assemble aircraft are like early personal computers, which are novel and cool but slow to use. The A5 will bring a different experience."
Hawkins is standing next to an A5 The Federal Aviation Administration of the United States has very strict certification rules for aircraft and pilots. Any team that wants to sell a new aircraft must spend tens of millions of dollars on aircraft testing and deal with various complex processes of the federal government. To become a qualified private aircraft pilot, you need enough courage and money: because a single engine piston private aircraft pilot needs to pass the physical fitness test certified by the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States, and not less than 40 hours of training time (cost nearly 10000 dollars). So what is the attraction of A5? Take off and land at any time and anywhere, and experience the freedom and pleasure of extreme flying. However, if the aircraft flies in the "controlled airspace", that is, above 18000 feet (about 5486.4 meters), the aircraft needs to fly under air control.
In the past decades, these strict rules and high capital expenditure have curbed the innovative development of many small aircraft. As early as 1978, the United States produced more than 14000 single engine piston powered aircraft. By 2007, the output had dropped to 2000. For example, Cessna Skyhawk small aircraft is a classic work of Cessna, but there has been little progress in the appearance and performance of the fuselage since it was launched in 1955.
A5 wing foldable Fortunately, the US Federal Aviation Administration has approved the test aircraft project, opening up the way for innovation of small aircraft, such as carbon fiber assembled fuselage, two seat design, aviation dynamics framework and self-designed appearance. At present, one seventh of single engine piston aircraft are still in the test stage. Of course, it is not easy to assemble a small aircraft, and it is not easy to take the flight license test.
The new light sport aircraft has brought flight enthusiasts a big step closer to the dream of free flight. This type of aircraft can only be a single engine design, with a maximum flight speed of 138 mph (about 222 km/h). The flight height is limited to 10000 feet, and the time is limited to daytime. The ideal flight environment is clear sky, and it is required to stay away from busy airports. Although there are various restrictions, the space for free flight is still very large. Students who are determined to get a pilot's license can pass the test as soon as 20 hours after training.
Giant aircraft companies such as Cirrus and Cessna are also stepping up the development of light sport aircraft. Cessna has received more than 1000 orders for new SkyCatcher aircraft, which are expected to be delivered by the end of the year. The cost is about 112000 dollars. Unfortunately, SkyCatcher still looks like an immature Cessna aircraft, and most of them will be used as entry-level aircraft in flight schools. At the same time, light sport aircraft are widely welcomed by many enterprises. In five years, a large number of start-ups purchased about 90 aircraft.
Hawkins' A5 aircraft assembly materials include glass fiber, polyester, Kevlar fiber and other polymer synthetic fibers. Hawkins said that when he was young, he aspired to be an astronaut, participated in the motocross, water motor boat race, and worked as a jungle pilot in Alaska. After the first Gulf War, he flew F-16 fighter planes over northern Iraq, and then returned home to obtain a master's degree in engineering and business from Stanford University.
A5 Technical Specifications The A5 cockpit is designed with two seats. It only takes a few seconds from start to take off and leave the water. It is very maneuverable. Hawkins flew the A5 in the air and made various graceful flight movements, such as diving, climbing, tactical turns, etc. He said that A5 can give people a thrilling sense of flight, and can become an easy to operate and fast entry aircraft.
Hawkins obtained his master's degree in engineering from Stanford University, which enabled him to have extraordinary design ability, aiming at designing an aircraft targeting high-end users. He said that driving the A5 felt like driving a sports car, especially the low altitude flight when the window was opened. There was a super fast shuttle feeling. The knowledge of finance enables Hawkins to have a keen market insight. He personally conducts market research. He believes that the future light aircraft market has great potential. Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Association Manufacturers Association, said, "Cessna has been working hard in the old market, while Icon wants to explore a new market."
Another partner is former banker Steen Strand, who is responsible for designing the A5 skateboard device. He said: "Every switch button on the aircraft has become a product design innovation, and the beauty and pleasure brought by the flight itself are obviously more important. But the concept of Cessna aircraft is not the same."
Interior On the day of A5's maiden voyage, the Icon team watched A5 rowing into the lake with a calm expression. Matthew Gionta, the deputy chief engineer of Icon, said it was not easy to design this kind of aircraft. He had worked for 13 years in Scaled Composites, participated in the design of "SpaceShipTwo", and later joined Icon. In fact, folding wings increase the weight and design complexity of the aircraft. The A5 flew very smoothly during its first flight, and Gionta also praised the A5 for flying as fast as the Porsche 911.
After the first flight, A5 will also carry out a long-term test project. Now Hawkins is looking forward to winning some orders with the A5 prototype and flight video. In the context of the current global economic downturn, it is unknown whether A5 will sell well. However, Hawkins and the team members are very optimistic. They are a group of flying people who work hard for their dreams and passions, and will surely make Icon A5 fly out of a new world.
