So, you want to know how much is the ICON A5 because you’ve seen those slick videos of a plane landing on a lake like a James Bond gadget. It looks like a sports car with wings. It’s cool. Everyone knows it’s cool. But the price tag has been a moving target for years. Honestly, if you were looking at this thing back in 2010, the "estimated" price was a fraction of what you’ll see on a window sticker today.
The short answer? You’re looking at a starting price of roughly $394,000 for a base model, but most people end up north of $430,000 once they start ticking boxes.
It's a big jump from the original $189,000 promise that the company launched with over a decade ago. But aviation is expensive. Carbon fiber is expensive. And staying in business after a Chapter 11 filing—which ICON did in 2024 before being bought by SG Investment America—is the most expensive thing of all.
The Reality of New ICON A5 Pricing
If you walk into a showroom (or hit up their website) right now, the menu isn't as simple as buying a Ford F-150. You basically have two main paths.
First, there’s the S-LSA (Special Light Sport Aircraft). This is the one most recreational pilots go for. It starts around $394,000. If you want the "Limited Edition" version with the fancy paint and the Garmin G3X Touch display, you’re looking at $409,000.
Then you have the Type Certified Edition. This is a newer development. ICON pushed for FAA Type Certification so they could sell the plane in international markets that don't recognize the US "Light Sport" category. Because it has to meet more rigorous FAA standards, it costs more. Expect to pay at least $434,000 for this version.
- Base S-LSA: $394,000
- Limited Edition: $409,000+
- Type Certified: $434,000+
Why the difference? It's mostly about the paperwork and the legal hurdles. The plane itself is fundamentally the same adventure machine, but the certified version carries a heavier administrative "tax" from the FAA.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Total Cost
Buying the plane is just the "cover charge" for the club. The actual cost of ownership is what bites.
I’ve talked to owners who were shocked by the insurance premiums. Because the A5 is amphibious—meaning it lands on water—the risk is higher. If you're a low-time pilot or you've never flown a seaplane, insurance companies are going to hammer you. You might see annual premiums between $10,000 and $16,000 just to keep it covered.
Then there’s the maintenance. The ICON A5 uses a Rotax 912 iS engine. It’s a great, fuel-efficient engine that runs on Mogas (auto gas) or Avgas, but it requires specialized technicians.
Don't forget the ICON Parachute System (IPS). This is a massive safety feature—a parachute for the whole plane—but it’s not a "set it and forget it" thing. You have to repack it every 8 years and replace the rocket every 15. That’s a multi-thousand-dollar bill that eventually comes due.
Used Market: Can You Save Money?
Sometimes. But not as much as you’d hope.
Because ICON has only produced about 200 to 250 of these total, they hold their value surprisingly well. You might find a 2017 or 2018 model with high hours for around $230,000 to $250,000.
However, be careful. The older models don't have the "Gross Weight Increase." In 2024, ICON bumped the useful load of the A5. Older models are "heavy" in terms of how much they can actually carry. If you buy a 2016 model, you might only be able to carry yourself and a half-tank of gas if you're a bigger person. The newer ones (2024+) have about 60 lbs of extra useful load, which sounds small but is huge in a light aircraft.
The Hidden Options That Drive Up the Bill
When you're configuring your A5, the "base price" is a bit of a myth. Most buyers want the bells and whistles.
- Avionics Upgrades: The Garmin G3X Touch is almost a requirement for resale value.
- Autopilot: Yes, you can get a GFC 500 autopilot in this tiny plane. It'll cost you.
- The Trailer: ICON sells a custom amphibious trailer that lets you tow the plane behind your SUV. This is a $50,000 add-on.
- Paint Schemes: If you want those "Signature Livery" colors that make it look like a supercar, expect to pay a premium.
Is It Worth the $400k?
That depends on what you're doing with it. If you want to fly from Point A to Point B quickly, no. A used Cessna 182 is faster, carries more, and costs half as much.
But the ICON A5 isn't a "travel" plane. It’s a "destination" toy. It’s for the person who wants to fly 20 miles to a remote cove, land on the water, fold the wings back while floating, and have a picnic on the beach. It’s basically a flying Jet Ski.
The company’s recent stability under new ownership (SG Investment America) means that parts and service support should be more reliable than they were during the 2024 bankruptcy scare. That’s a big deal for resale value. Nobody wants an "orphan" airplane that they can't get parts for.
Your Next Steps
If you’re serious about the A5, don't just look at the purchase price. Start by calling an aviation insurance broker to get a quote based on your specific pilot hours. Often, the insurance cost is the "veto" that stops a sale. After that, look for a local ICON Flight Training Partner to get a demo flight. You’ll want to see if the "spin-resistant" airframe and the unique Angle of Attack (AoA) gauge feel right to you before dropping nearly half a million dollars.
Check the official ICON inventory for "Certified Pre-Owned" options first, as these often come with a limited warranty and all the latest Service Bulletins (SBs) already completed.