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Icon A5 is the ultimate aircraft for the sea and skies
An unusual union with remarkable results, the design talents of six companies combine to produce this unique amphibious sport plane.
IDEO, Art Center, Troy Lee Designs, Nissan Design America, Scaled Composites, and L.A-based Icon Aircraft have collaborated on the project that has been called the “jet ski for the sky” by its parent company Icon.
Measuring 6.7 metres in length, the Icon A5 uses carbon-fibre-reinforced epoxy composites to create a frame that is both strong and lightweight.
The wings of the aircraft are designed to fold inwards in a clever move that reduces the 10 metre wing-span to a much more convenient 2.5 metres; making it easily storable on the back of a trailer.
There is seating for two passengers and a maximum baggage weight of 27 kilograms.
Set to go into production already, the Icon A5 isn’t due to hit the market until early 2010 but has already won an IDEA Award.
With pre-orders for the craft already pushing past 400, the revolutionary product will carry a price tag of US$139,000.
"The wings are designed to fold inwards in a clever move that reduces the wing-span to 2.5 metres; making it easily storable on the back of a trailer."