The FAA has signed off on ICON Aircraft's petition to exempt its A5 aircraft from the 1430-pound maximum takeoff weight for LSA seaplanes in favor of 1,680 pounds. The decision was announced at an ICON press conference at AirVenture. ICON asked for the 250-pound increase on the basis of safety enhancements it has incorporated in the A5 including a spin-resistant wing design, angle of attack (AOA) indicator, and ballistic parachute system, among other features. "The combined design features and Spin Resistant Aircraft design concepts incorporated into the ICON A5 design to avoid excessive descent rates and altitude loss while maintaining controllability during stall, combined with demonstrated spin resistance meeting 14 CFR Part 23 standards, are recognized by the FAA as significant safety enhancements not contemplated in the regulations," the FAA said in its response to ICON's petition.
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