SCAA members received a private preview in February of a unique new aircraft being developed in Los Angeles by a startup company called ICON Aircraft.

Officials of the Marina del Rey-based firm showed visitors a full-scale, non-flying mockup of their proposed new aircraft, designed for the light sports category. The two-seater amphibian, powered by a 100 h.p. piston engine driving a pusher propeller, is called the A5.

The company is flight testing a prototype, which has made more than 30 flights from a lake in central California. FAA certification is projected in 2010, the company said.

Among the features of the A5 are folding wings, which pivot to the rear so the aircraft can be towed on a trailer. A retractable tricycle landing gear accommodates operation from land.

More information is available from the company’s website at iconaircraft.com