Earlier this year, Icon Aircraft revealed that it had successfully completed spin-resistance testing of its A5 amphibious Light-Sport Aircraft to the standard specified by the FAA for Part 23 certified aircraft.
This achievement will make the A5 the first conventional production aircraft to be designed to and fully meet this standard once it enters production, officials with the Los Angeles-based company said.
Spin resistance represents a safety advancement for light aircraft that can significantly reduce accidents that occur as a result of stall/spins, officials said, noting stall/spins account for 41% of pilot-related fatalities and are the single greatest cause of pilot-related fatalities, according to the 2010 AOPA Nall Report.
To demonstrate the profound effect a Spin-Resistant Airframe (SRA) can have in preventing stall/spin loss-of-control situations, Icon flew the A5 alongside a conventional “spin recoverable” aircraft and applied the same control inputs to both in an effort to initiate spins. ICON has produced a short educational video that includes the results of this demonstration.
The company, which reports it has received more than 700 orders for the A5, is scheduled to start production of the LSA at the end of 2012.
For more information: IconAircraft.com
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