This morning, July 20, 2015, at 10 AM CDT at ICON Aircraft’s exhibit at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin, CEO and Founder Kirk Hawkins handed the keys of the first customer A5 to EAA Young Eagles Chairman and aerobatic pilot Sean Tucker, who accepted the aircraft on behalf of the organization, alongside EAA Chairman Jack Pelton. The aircraft, Aircraft Serial Number 001 (ASN-001), will participate in Young Eagles flights that allow children to experience aviation, often for the first time, to give them exposure to and inspire their interest in flying.
“Delivering the first product to a customer is a transformational milestone for any company,” said ICON CEO Kirk Hawkins. “ICON’s team has worked passionately over the years to create a truly amazing aircraft, and it delivers. Our mission is to make flying more accessible to the thousands who dream about it but consider it out of reach, including our youth. EAA’s Young Eagles shares that same vision and we couldn’t think of a more worthy recipient for the first ICON A5. Old, young, and in between, the A5 was specifically designed to change the way you experience personal flying–and it will. I can’t wait to see all the smiling faces of those youth who get to fly in it for the first time.”
“ICON has done a truly outstanding job bringing the A5 to market. We are excited that ICON has chosen AirVenture to deliver its first customer A5 to Young Eagles,” said Jack Pelton, EAA Chairman of the Board and former CEO of Cessna Aircraft. “EAA’s mission is to help support and grow General Aviation at every level. ICON’s mission couldn’t be more aligned with ours, and seeing them succeed benefits all of General Aviation. Many have tried and failed when it comes to bringing truly revolutionary aircraft to market in recent decades, so there is often understandable skepticism in our industry. But after flying the A5 myself and seeing it perform firsthand, I can say unequivocally that aircraft delivers on its promise. It’s incredibly easy to fly, safe, forgiving, and ridiculously fun. Not only is it the perfect aircraft to introduce young aviators to the thrill of flying, but I’m getting one myself.”
Both Pelton and Tucker spoke at Monday morning’s delivery event at AirVenture. “I am very humbled and ecstatic to be taking delivery of this magnificent flying machine on behalf of Young Eagles,” said Tucker. “It’s exactly the perfect aircraft for our mission of showing the kids across America, many of whom would not otherwise be able to experience the magic of flying, that aviation is a fun and exhilarating adventure which empowers you to become the best you can be. The A5 captures the essence of what drew me and so many others to aviation as children, and it shows how well aligned ICON’s and Young Eagles’ missions are. Yeah baby! ICON, you rock!”
Prior to being handed over to Young Eagles, ASN-001 participated in ICON’s FAA audit in June and was the first A5 to receive an S-LSA airworthiness certificate. ICON is currently ramping up A5 production at their new facility in Vacaville, California.
ICON is celebrating the first customer delivery with a sales promotion that reduces the deposit for an aircraft from $5,000 to $2,000 until 26 July. The promotion is available for deposits placed online or in person at the show and more information is available here: http://www.iconaircraft.com/a5/buy.
At the event, the company also debuted a new video, which is available online here: http://www.iconaircraft.com/theiconexperience.
