ICON Aircraft makes small, “light sport”, amphibious, aircraft that actually fold up small enough that it can be stored in your garage. The wings are on levers that allow them to fold up for easy storage.
The two seat, single engine planes weight 1,320 pounds and are capable of air speeds of up to 120 knots (138 mph). They don’t fly as high as most aircraft but are able to travel up to 300 miles.
All that’s needed to fly the aircraft is a sport pilot license which you can pick up with a few weeks of training. The new class of license restricts pilots to day time flying only so if you do take it to work better be home before dinner.
Or imagine dropping the kids off at school in this. They’d be the coolest kids around!
Oh yeah, price tag, $130,000 and there’s a 2-yr. waiting list.
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It’s an intereing idea, but I don’t see it really taking off (no pun intended). For one thing, the hours spent running the engine on the ground will still count towards the 100-hour and annual inspection requirements that all airplanes have, which means operating it, even on the road, will be very expensive. And being a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) means there are several limitations, such as carrying only a single passenger (so impossible to take the “kids” (plural) to school…), no flying at night, unless the pilot has the more expensive Private Pilot Certificate, and others.
I also think the notion that it takes a “few weeks of training” to pick up an LSA certificate is a bit misleading. Yes, it can ben done, but only with a very large flying budget and a full-time training schedule.
