# Sports Car-Inspired Airplanes ICON A5 Seaplane By Bones | Published 2008-11-18 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sport-car-inspired-seaplane-desined-for-the-novice-pilot References: [iconaircraft](http://iconaircraft.com/Experience-ICON.html?id=album-1&num=1#id=album-1&num=1) In 2004, the [FAA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a5-evtol) created the new Light Sport Aircraft category and a new category of pilot license called Sports Pilot. That is when former fighter pilot Kirk Hawkins started his company ICON. The FAA’s new specifications for “sport planes” are 2 people and are single engine aircrafts with a maximum speed of 120 knots (138 mph). The ICON A5 is a [seaplane](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tidal-flight) built to meet these specifications. Clearly getting some inspiration from the Republic RC-3 Sea Bee made famous from James Bond’s movie “Man with the golden gun” it’s meant for pilots who will not be flying in bad weather and at night. It is a much simpler aircraft built for style and safety. The interior was inspired by [sports car design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/supersport) and the wings can fold back so it can easily be placed on a trailer, stored in a driveway and launched directly into the water. It's powered by a 100 horsepower engine that can be refueled at most marinas. At around $139,000, it is affordable as far as airplanes are concerned. With its first flight in July, this new plane is well on its way to being available for delivery in 2010. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 37% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Light Sport Aircraft:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in designing affordable and stylish aircrafts meeting the FAA's specifications. - **Sports Car-inspired Design:** Innovation potential in incorporating sports car aesthetics and interior design elements into aircrafts. - **Foldable Wings:** Potential for disruptive innovation in developing aircrafts with foldable wings for easy storage and transportation. ### Where This Applies - **Aerospace:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the aerospace industry by creating affordable and stylish aircrafts that meet FAA specifications. - **Automotive:** Innovation potential in the automotive industry by incorporating sports car design elements into aircraft interiors. - **Marine:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the marine industry by developing marinas equipped for refueling aircraft engines. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Air Travel-Certified Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/klein-vision-aircar.md) - [Functional Flying Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a5-evtol.md) - [Flying Car Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flying-car-concepts.md) - [Consumer-Driven Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/personal-evtol-aircraft.md) - [Compact Two-Seat Helicopters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/twoseat-helicopter.md) - [Self-Landing Hobbyist Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/epic-aircraft-e1000-ax.md) - [Reimagined Road-Legal Supercars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roadlegal-supercar.md) - [1930s-Inspired Hand-Built Automobiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iconic-auto-sports.md) - [Novel Aerial Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/star-walkers.md)