WSJ discovers Light Aircraft and LSA

[James331]

I seriously wonder who will take advantage of the folding wing idea. Sure, you can tow it to/from a lake or local airport, but is that any easier than keeping it at a local strip? You can take it with you on vacation and hope that nobody rear-ends it/messes with it. I agree that the idea of storing it at home and folding the wings sounds nice, I just don't know about the practicality. Many of the the UL guys seem to have the folding/removable-wing covered fairly well, so it's not like it's the first of its kind in that respect. The other side is that, unless you have a really deep/wide 3rd car garage slot, you have to build a storage solution for it or pay for storage somewhere else (unless you want to store it outside).

As for composite . . . I don't know why that matters as a selling point. If it was aluminum and the same weight, would it matter?

If you're waterfront you could "hangar" it in a covered boat lift due to the folding wings.

As far as towing it on the streets, I'd take a pass on that one, most folks are barely able to keep their cars between the lines as it is.

The composite is great for preventing water seeping into the hull, also helps with corrosion.

 

[SoonerAviator]

I think it may be as Henning pointed out a long time ago, it's so that the plane can be stowed on the back of a yacht. These are exactly some of the type of people that will buy this plane.

Which I have no problem with, but that's about where the argument ends in regards to any impact on GA "revitalization". Honestly, I think the only hope for ever increasing GA numbers is going to be when Quad-copters have been created with large enough capacity to be used for safe, personal transportation to substitute as commuter cars. It would basically be a motorcycle for the sky, but likely electrically powered and only needed for low-altitude and short range (less than 50 miles round trip). It might occur at some point in my lifetime, but it still won't be particularly cheap. FAA nightmare I'm sure, but no sense in worrying about it now.

 

[Dav8or]

I can see how the Icon would be great if you lived in the right place. I like the plane, but was kinda bummed they switched out the wing from the original design and significantly cut the cruise speed.

Yeah, but it was smart of them to do that. They have designed and marketed this plane as a "screw around at the lake" kind of "adventure" plane. There will be people with very little experience pushing the performance envelope of this plane. Very wise to make it impossible to spin.

 

[Dav8or]

If you're waterfront you could "hangar" it in a covered boat lift due to the folding wings.

I do wonder how easy it is to fold and unfold the wings on the water though...

As far as towing it on the streets, I'd take a pass on that one, most folks are barely able to keep their cars between the lines as it is.

I am really, really surprised that they appear to not have designed the trailer to be fully enclosed like a toy hauler trailer. It should basically be a hangar on wheels in my mind. I think being enclosed would really help with towing. As to people crashing into it, that's what insurance is for.

 

[dell30rb]

Yeah, but it was smart of them to do that. They have designed and marketed this plane as a "screw around at the lake" kind of "adventure" plane. There will be people with very little experience pushing the performance envelope of this plane. Very wise to make it impossible to spin.

It was impossible to spin with the first wing. I watched test videos of them trying to spin it.

 

[Phoenix]

If you're waterfront you could "hangar" it in a covered boat lift due to the folding wings.

As far as towing it on the streets, I'd take a pass on that one, most folks are barely able to keep their cars between the lines as it is.

People tow sailplanes across the country all the time without trouble. I think on a proper trailer a plane is safe enough. On the other hand parking your Terrafugia among suburban SUV goliaths piloted by latte sipping housewives that are unable to figure out the bluetooth phone connection and between coffee, phone, and children have nothing left mental or physical to steer with, is problematic. Towed to and from airport/lake I don't see a problem just don't stop at the mall on the way.

 

[Dav8or]

It was impossible to spin with the first wing. I watched test videos of them trying to spin it.

I guess not, otherwise why change it? Either that or they really wanted to lower the landing/take off speed and in that case, still a very wise choice.

 

[acluffpoa]

I live near a large lake and have to drive around the lake 45 min (if there is little traffic) to get to the airport. I'm going to buy one of these to fly from the lake shore on my side to the airport on the far side. Should be a 7 min flight.

 

[txflyer]

I think I can safely say the A5 will not go down in history as a pilot's airplane.

It is like a flying/cub/jet-ski/very cool expensive toy we can all see ourselves flying it and having a blast but not paying $200,000 clams for it.

I don't know, maybe I'm a dinosaur and nowadays $200K isn't that much for a brand new modern aircraft. But it still feels like it's 1970 when you have to come up with the money.

 

[SoonerAviator]

I live near a large lake and have to drive around the lake 45 min (if there is little traffic) to get to the airport. I'm going to buy one of these to fly from the lake shore on my side to the airport on the far side. Should be a 7 min flight.

Lol, I would imagine a boat would be just about as fast, and less maintenance/risk. Hell, you could beat the A5 to the other side with a decent cigarette boat and a couple of high-HP big blocks!

 

[Dr. O]

Flying is expensive and will remain expensive.
And the closer the plane is kept to a body of water the more expensive it will be.
Airplanes that bounce around in the water all week while you work and then are expected to reliably, safely, cheaply fly you off to your lake house - well, don't hold your breath.

This airplane is just another flash in the pan that ten years from now it will be one of the questions in a "Remember When" quiz.

 

[Phoenix]

Flying is expensive and will remain expensive.
And the closer the plane is kept to a body of water the more expensive it will be.
Airplanes that bounce around in the water all week while you work and then are expected to reliably, safely, cheaply fly you off to your lake house - well, don't hold your breath.

This airplane is just another flash in the pan that ten years from now it will be one of the questions in a "Remember When" quiz.

No reason to leave it moored it has wheels and folding wings. If you can afford an A5 and a waterfront house you probably already have a garage big enough. If not, short of zoning hassles, building one i$ trivial. Ten years from now they might still be cranking them out or working on the 4 seater. Look at sales of Carbon Cubs and the like, same price point, same lack of speed, selling plenty. At their start how did tin can pilots predict Cirruses future?

 

[Dav8or]

Lol, I would imagine a boat would be just about as fast, and less maintenance/risk. Hell, you could beat the A5 to the other side with a decent cigarette boat and a couple of high-HP big blocks!

If you consider the preflight time as well, very likely you could do as well as the A5 with a nice boat and save some money.

 

[docmirror]

I sold my lake house.

Now I can afford an Icon.

Wait -- whut?

I'm glad to see any good publicity concerning GA, and in a major publication too. So what if they got a few details wrong, and really no one cares if it's capable of doing what the guy says. It's a fluff piece, it's good for GA, and no one died or went to prison.

 

[txflyer]

I hope people realize you can probably find a very nice 185 on amphibs for what an A5 costs.

Let's see ... 185 or A5?

Kind of a no brainer.

 

[Phoenix]

I hope people realize you can probably find a very nice 185 on amphibs for what an A5 costs.

Let's see ... 185 or A5?

Kind of a no brainer.

185 is going to be old and a mini superfund site(all old planes are.) Yes we are used to old stuff with an aroma of oil, grease and gas. Some people want newer. For giving sunny day rides from your lakehouse the A5 will probably give a better experience.

 

[docmirror]

I hope people realize you can probably find a very nice 185 on amphibs for what an A5 costs.

Let's see ... 185 or A5?

Kind of a no brainer.

Take a room full of WSJ types, who know squadoosh about gen aviation. Put an old 185 on floats on display and an Icon next to it and 99% will pick the Icon.

 

[James331]

185 is going to be old and a mini superfund site(all old planes are.) Yes we are used to old stuff with an aroma of oil, grease and gas. Some people want newer. For giving sunny day rides from your lakehouse the A5 will probably give a better experience.

BS!

Tell me about your aviation background and what you know about amphibs and 185s


I'm all for the A5, and understand the car buying drooling masses lack of education when it comes to GA aircraft, but that was one poorly thought out statement for someone posting on a aviation forum, I doubt you have much knowledge about "old" airplanes.

 

[Dav8or]

Take a room full of WSJ types, who know squadoosh about gen aviation. Put an old 185 on floats on display and an Icon next to it and 99% will pick the Icon.

I would too. It's cooler. Sorry, old float planes might be really practical and have loads of utility, but they're not that cool at this point. It's like- "Here, do you want to go out on the highway with this new Mazda MX-5, or this 1979 Chevy Suburban?"

 

[txflyer]

185 is going to be old and a mini superfund site(all old planes are.) Yes we are used to old stuff with an aroma of oil, grease and gas. Some people want newer. For giving sunny day rides from your lakehouse the A5 will probably give a better experience.

I'll agree with you on the old part but the superfund site isn't necessarily accurate. But of coarse, I'm biased.

We're talking aircraft and maintenance and as certified aircraft go, the 18x series of Cessna aircraft have one of the lowest maintenance costs in the air.

Cost is relative to what you're flying. :wink2:

 

[Phoenix]

We don't notice it, and it isn't a big deal to us. Compared to modern cars our old airplanes are nasty petrochemical stinking grease pits. Ask a lady to smell your airplane, not a lady pilot, a proper lady not acclimated to airplanes or tractors.

 

[txflyer]

Most old airplanes do have oil and gas and fluids coming out of every orifice at some point I'll grant you that.

 

[Dav8or]

Most old airplanes do have oil and gas and fluids coming out of every orifice at some point I'll grant you that.

I do wonder about the Rotax power planes, if they might not have as many leaking issues as the air-cooled ones? On the other hand, old cars have a very similar smell to the old airplane smell in spite of liquid cooling. Are any of the Rotax powered machines old enough to be stinky yet?