Just a short time back the question was—to the extent that there was a question about LSA—will LSA amount to anything? Can there be further doubt? Cessna—repeat, Cessna—is building the Skycatcher. That was one strong indication that LSA was, or would become, a considerable factor in aviation. Now Phil Condit has joined the board of advisors of Icon Aircraft, the company that builds the Icon LSA.
Yes, “that†Phil Condit. You might remember him as the CEO of a little company called Boeing.
The Icon, in case you don’t know, is the LSA amphib that flies and floats. As the company says, it looks like a sports car. The wings fold automatically (on the ground only, of course) and the Icon is absolutely beautiful. You have to be careful with the name Icon, BTW. Mention it among aviators and the often-hated name of Carl Icahn—formerly of TWA and corporate raider fame—comes to mind. As far as I know, there’s no connection. But, hey, if Condit can go from 747s to LSA, who knows?
You might remember that Condit didn’t part with Boeing in a particularly desirable fashion. There were allegations of misconduct. One pundit said he was a good example of a brilliant engineer who was promoted to a level beyond his capabilities.
Still, one tends to think that this is a step forward for Icon Aircraft. It will probably attract media attention and investment funds to Icon. Just mentioning Boeing and Icon in the same sentence must add to the company’s stature, just as Cessna added stature to the entire LSA industry.
I hope it works. My wife’s cousin has a deposit on an Icon, and I hope he’ll give me a ride in it someday. Also, I was briefly involved with a little company that planned to import an amphib LSA from Spain. It didn’t work out, but still left me with an interest—curiosity might be a better word—for amphib LSAs.
Besides, the Icon is a gorgeous piece of machinery.
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