OSH: Icon A5 presentation

Jay Maynard schrieb:
On 2008-08-02, Martin Hotze wrote:
and boy, this is a cockpit from this century, not like most of the other
crap on the market.

Too bad it's aggressively VFR-only and,

.... and it is a LSA, so I'd have no problem with this.

as far as I could tell, completely
non-upgradeable - with a nonstandard instrument layout, *tiny* engine
gauges, one com radio, no nav radios, and a mode C transponder, and that's
it.

it is a LSA; weight matters. Out of the video: you can upgrade:
automatic wingfold, retrectable gear, parachute.

It suffers from a 2008 version of the 1940s tendency to try to make airplane
panels look like automobile dashboards. It didn't work then, and it doesn't
work now. Airplanes are not cars, and shouldn't try to act like them.

I don't care about the car-design, but I like the modern and european look.

#m

On 2008-08-02, Martin Hotze wrote:
Jay Maynard schrieb:
On 2008-08-02, Martin Hotze wrote:
and boy, this is a cockpit from this century, not like most of the other
crap on the market.
Too bad it's aggressively VFR-only and,
... and it is a LSA, so I'd have no problem with this.

Who says an LSA has to be VFR-only? Mine's not.

as far as I could tell, completely non-upgradeable - with a nonstandard
instrument layout, *tiny* engine gauges, one com radio, no nav radios,
and a mode C transponder, and that's it.
it is a LSA; weight matters. Out of the video: you can upgrade:
automatic wingfold, retrectable gear, parachute.

And still a fixed, non-upgradeable panel. What happens when ADS-B is
required? (This will happen one day, hopefully in a better form than the FAA
tried the first time.)

It suffers from a 2008 version of the 1940s tendency to try to make airplane
panels look like automobile dashboards. It didn't work then, and it doesn't
work now. Airplanes are not cars, and shouldn't try to act like them.
I don't care about the car-design, but I like the modern and european look.

The "modern, European look" is intended to look like a Porsche or BMW. Car.
--
Jay Maynard, K5ZC http://www.conmicro.com
http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net
Fairmont, MN (FRM) (Yes, that's me!)
AMD Zodiac CH601XLi N55ZC (got it!)

Jay Maynard schrieb:
I don't care about the car-design, but I like the modern and european look.

The "modern, European look" is intended to look like a Porsche or BMW. Car.

this is OK for me; I don't like the Cessna et-al desgins.

#m

On 2008-08-02, Martin Hotze wrote:
Jay Maynard schrieb:
I don't care about the car-design, but I like the modern and european look.
The "modern, European look" is intended to look like a Porsche or BMW. Car.
this is OK for me; I don't like the Cessna et-al desgins.

Form follows function. ICON got it backwards.
--
Jay Maynard, K5ZC http://www.conmicro.com
http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net
Fairmont, MN (FRM) (Yes, that's me!)
AMD Zodiac CH601XLi N55ZC (got it!)

Jay Maynard schrieb:
this is OK for me; I don't like the Cessna et-al desgins.

Form follows function. ICON got it backwards.

what's not OK for you out of the ICOM functions? IMHO it is a pure
recreational "tool", comparable to a quad, or a jetski(?), etc.; the
main "use" is for having fun, flying for a $100 burger, ...

it flies and floats (well, then you should rather rent than buy *gggg*).

#m

On 2008-08-02, Martin Hotze wrote:
Jay Maynard schrieb:
this is OK for me; I don't like the Cessna et-al desgins.
Form follows function. ICON got it backwards.
what's not OK for you out of the ICOM functions? IMHO it is a pure
recreational "tool", comparable to a quad, or a jetski(?), etc.; the
main "use" is for having fun, flying for a $100 burger, ...

If I'm going to spend $150K on an airplane, it's going to be used, and
useful, for more than just flying around for fun. It's a transportation
tool.

The A5 is aimed at the guy who'd buy a Cigarette boat, not at the pilot who
wants to go places.
--
Jay Maynard, K5ZC http://www.conmicro.com
http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net
Fairmont, MN (FRM) (Yes, that's me!)
AMD Zodiac CH601XLi N55ZC (got it!)

Jay Maynard schrieb:
If I'm going to spend $150K on an airplane,

well, $150K is now not that much any more than it was earlier, the
exchange rate is in our favour.

it's going to be used, and
useful, for more than just flying around for fun. It's a transportation
tool.

hmm, if I'd buy a flying transportation tool it would be something like
a D-Jet or a DA-42, but nothing like a C172 or similar.

The A5 is aimed at the guy who'd buy a Cigarette boat, not at the pilot who
wants to go places.

Or at the recreational pilot, flying with +1 for fun (still going
places, but VFR, though).

#m

"Jay Maynard" wrote in message
...
On 2008-08-02, Martin Hotze wrote:
Jay Maynard schrieb:
this is OK for me; I don't like the Cessna et-al desgins.
Form follows function. ICON got it backwards.
what's not OK for you out of the ICOM functions? IMHO it is a pure
recreational "tool", comparable to a quad, or a jetski(?), etc.; the
main "use" is for having fun, flying for a $100 burger, ...

If I'm going to spend $150K on an airplane, it's going to be used, and
useful, for more than just flying around for fun. It's a transportation
tool.

The A5 is aimed at the guy who'd buy a Cigarette boat, not at the pilot
who
wants to go places.
--
Jay Maynard, K5ZC http://www.conmicro.com
http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net
Fairmont, MN (FRM) (Yes, that's me!)
AMD Zodiac CH601XLi N55ZC (got it!)

Jay, I'm solidly in your camp with my preferences for what an airplane
should be and do, and for its need to be easily ugardable in the future; but
your "Cigarette boat" comment suggests to me that the ICON A5, complete with
its "all sizzle, no steak" marketing hype, might be a financial success--if
they can keep the project on schedule.

Just my $0.02 :-(
Peter

"Jay Maynard" wrote in message ...
On 2008-08-02, Martin Hotze wrote:
Jay Maynard schrieb:
I don't care about the car-design, but I like the modern and european look.
The "modern, European look" is intended to look like a Porsche or BMW. Car.
this is OK for me; I don't like the Cessna et-al desgins.

Form follows function. ICON got it backwards.
--
Jay Maynard, K5ZC http://www.conmicro.com
http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net
Fairmont, MN (FRM) (Yes, that's me!)
AMD Zodiac CH601XLi N55ZC (got it!)

It has an AOA indicator front and center, great tool for landing (alighting?) on glass smooth water...

"Jay Maynard" wrote

Who says an LSA has to be VFR-only? Mine's not.

That brings an interesting subject to mind.

If an aircraft is certified through the LSA process instead of the more
rigorous part 23 certification process, and the LSA is VFR only, can one of
these LSA certified planes fly in IMC or IFR?
--
Jim in NC