The ICON Aricraft, a consumer sport plane manufacturer founded by Kirk Hawkins, an engineer and former US Air Force F-16 fighter pilot, recently unveiled a sporty amphibious plane called the Icon A5.

The A5 features a high-strenght, lightweight carbon fiber airframe and is powered by a reliable, 100-hp Rotax 912 ULS engine that runs on both auto and aviation gasoline at an estimated top speed of 120 mph. There’s a 20-gallon tank, putting the range at 345 miles.

The two-seat sport plane features an amphibious design with retractable landing gear for flying off both land and water, plus several patent-pending technologies highlighted by folding wings that allow the plane to be easily stored and towed on the road with a trailer.

Icon A5 fits right into the FAA’s new Light Sport Aircraft category, restricted to flying in daylight under 10,000 feet with a top speed of 140mph. It must be easy to pilot the thing, because you can get the Sport Pilot License required to fly it with about 20 hours of flight training.

The ICON A5 standard model estimated price is $139,000. For a $5,000 deposit on www.iconaircraft.com. , you’re on the list.

The first A5s are schedule for delivery late in 2010. Source : cbseyemobile / gearlog / dvice