PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Roy Halladay Sole Fatality in Icon A5 Incident
Old 9th Nov 2017, 11:07
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piperboy84
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Glens o' Angus by way of LA
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RBF hit the nail on the head. I've been reading the Icon marketing bumpf and their advertising is dressing this aircraft up as a hobby craft along the lines of a quad or jet ski that requires minimal training and although not immune from the laws of physics is idiot proof which implies turnkey operation. Of all outstanding orders over 30% are from non pilots. Probably guys who operate power boats and jetskis and assume jumping into an Icon is the next logical hobby choice that can for the most part be "learned on the job" due to relatively slow speeds, water capability, parachutes and sales videos showing carefree low level maneuvering. With all 3 of these accidents apparently pilot error they may want to have a think about how they position this equipment when selling to the public.

It reminds me of that anti virus guy Mcafee who set up an "aerotrekking" business, a sport he claims he invented that involved flying weightshift microlights round the arizona desert at extreme low level after some basic pointers from his nephew who was not a flight instructor resulting in a fatality. Icon need to express publicly that there is no shortcuts or substitute for training or there are going to be more accidents.
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