ICON Wraps 2022 with Milestones, Year-End Deliveries
The OEM noted supply chain challenges but an upbeat outlook for type certification and 2023 orders.
ICON continues to scale up its production and delivery capacity in anticipation of Part 23 certification by the end of Q1 2023. [Courtesy: ICON Aircraft]
Like general aviation manufacturers across the spectrum, ICON Aircraft notched quite a few milestones in 2022—including appearances in both GA standbys like Sun n Fun and EAA AirVenture—where it debuted its enclosed trailer option—but also the Detroit Auto Show, where it hoped to entice new folks to general aviation. All in all, ICON figures it has given more than 400 flights to prospective owners over the course of 2022, more than one a day.
With a fleet totaling 165 in the field—and on the water and in the air—ICON reports that the A5 has notched more than 30,000 hours. Part 23 type certification lies just over the horizon, by its estimates, and that date looks to be hitting around the end of Q1 2023. With the TC in hand, the company can expand its international footprint, and it’s in the hunt for sales partners to make that happen.
Deliveries Almost There
ICON shares the trials felt around the industry as far as meeting its delivery expectations—but it is happy to say that even in spite of supply chain woes and increased components costs, it is tracking to send 35 aircraft out the door in 2022—a little short of its target. The company looks ahead to a better 2023, with a backlog that will take it through June, and 80 percent of those orders for the higher-end Garmin G3X-equipped A5. It hopes to build and send off between 55 and 60 amphibs next year, all told.
"We had initially targeted more than the 35 A5s that will be sold in 2022," said ICON CEO Jerry Meyer. "Like others in our industry and beyond, we faced supply chain challenges that caused us to lower our production goal. The good news is we pushed though and we’re in a better position because of it. We still are experiencing isolated shortages and longer lead times, but things are trending in a positive direction."
In order to make that higher rate, ICON has been at work on optimization. According to an additional statement shared with FLYING, it’s “a big focus in 2022—we worked tirelessly as a company to control costs, optimize our production process, and put the company on a path to success. We made significant progress thanks to our incredible team.” Workforce has reportedly not been an issue for the company’s production footprint in Tijuana, Mexico, and completion and delivery center in Vacaville, California.
ICON concluded: “Our investors are committed, and we are evaluating a global capital raise to help accelerate product development projects that will enhance marketability.”
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