www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 55
Photos by the author unless noted
A park-size
model that
retains the
excitement
and flexibility
of its full-scale
namesake
The ICON can be ready for flight in less time than it takes to charge
the battery. The tinted canopy and included pilot enhance this
attractive model.
The first time I laid eyes on the
ICON A5 was at the 2010
EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin. The full-scale aircraft
looked to revolutionize the Light
Sport Aircraft (LSA) industry with the
ability to fly from land or water, and it
had an appealing, sleek look.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who
felt that way because the $139,000 fullscale
aircraft had a lengthy backorder
list! If I had that kind of money, I would
definitely own one.
With the full-scale offering out of
reach, I was excited to learn the aircraft
is sold by ParkZone in an affordable,
park-size model that retains the
excitement and flexibility of its full-scale
namesake. It is even licensed by ICON
Aircraft!
Assembly
Two thoughts popped into my mind
as I unpacked the ParkZone ICON. The
first was how quickly it seemed the
assembly would be thanks to the low
parts count. The second was that there
was no instruction manual, but it was
downloadable from Horizon Hobby’s
website. (We received the review aircraft
before the manual was complete.)
The benefit of going to the Web to
find the manual was that I also found
the Spektrum DX7s Setups Download.
Inside this zip file, I found 17 aircraft,
including the ICON A5.
After the model setup was
downloaded to my Secure Digital
card, I transfered the information to
an empty slot in the model memory
of the Spektrum DX7s. This provided
the same setup used by the ParkZone
Development Team as listed in the
manual, including all dual rates,
exponential, and correct servo reversing.
I was amazed that not only did I have
an aircraft that needed little assembly,
but also the ability to have my radio set
up to meet the exact requirements of
the model!
It is important to keep in mind this
safety notice about the model setups
provided in the README file:
“The model setup files provided here
can greatly simplify setting up complex
programming in your DX7s for you
favorite aircraft. Because mechanical
parkzone icon a5 bnf
Jay Smith
[email protected]
REVIEW
56 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Above: The parts count is low and a foam stand
is included, which helps support the model—
especially if the landing gear is not used.
Left: The magnetic hatch does a nice job of
keeping water out, while providing easy access
to the battery, receiver, and ESC.
setups can vary on some types of models,
it is your responsibility to ensure that
all controls are operating in the proper
direction and within the manufacturer’s
recommended throws. You should also
take time to understand the anticipated
flight characteristics for each flight mode
that might be enabled.”
I received the Bind-N-Fly (BNF)
version of the ICON A5, which includes
everything you need except for a DSM2
or DSMX transmitter. The Plug-NPlay
(PNP) version requires a receiver,
battery, and charger.
The charger included with the BNF
version is a DC balancing charger with
a cigarette lighter plug. Although this
charger is adequate, I chose to use the
E-flite Celectra 80-watt AC/DC charger
so I could closely monitor the battery.
After binding the model to the DX7s,
it was time to install the wings. They
slid onto the carbon-fiber wing tube, the
servo leads plugged into their extensions,
and a 3 x 16mm screw held each wing
in place.
The horizontal tail installs with two
writing on the blades to confirm I that
am installing it in the proper direction.
The ICON’s propeller has no markings
and I determined the correct way by
looking at the propeller’s pitch.
Horizon Hobby shared with me that
all ParkZone ICON’s now being sold
have 9 x 8 marked on the front face of
one of the propeller blades.
Depending on whether the model
will be flown from a hard surface or the
water determines if you install wheels
or the mounting covers. If the option
for wheels is chosen, an extra linkage
is provided to make the nose wheel
steerable.
The model can easily be
switched between its land and
water configurations with a Phillips
screwdriver and a few minutes of time.
With the 3S 2200 mAh battery
pushed all the way forward in the
battery tray, the ICON balanced at
the recommended 30-35mm from the
wing’s LE.
As I mentioned, the setup for the
Spektrum DX7s was downloaded and
imported into the radio. Other than a
minor adjustment to the sub trim on
3 x 22mm screws, and then the elevator
control linkage can be added. All of the
linkages were attached to the holes in
the control horns as instructed in the
manual.
The motor only requires the propeller
shaft adapter, propeller, and spinner to
be mounted to be complete. Normally,
when installing a propeller, I look for
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 57
Specificat ions
Model type: Semiscale ARF
Skill level: Beginner builder; intermediate
pilot
Wingspan: 52.5 inches
Wing area: 357.5 square inches
Length: 34.5 inches
Weight: 43.4 ounces
Power system: 480-size 960 Kv brushless
outrunner (installed)
Radio: Four channels with four
servos
Construction: Foam and plastic
Price: $199.99 (PNP) $279.99 (BNF)
Test-Model Deta ils
Power: 480-size 960 Kv brushless
outrunner (installed); 30-amp
Pro SB brushless ESC
(installed)
Battery: ParkZone three-cell, 2200 mAh
LiPo
Propeller: 9 x 8 three-blade
Radio system: Spektrum DX7s transmitter;
Spektrum AR600 DSMX
receiver (installed);
Two DSV130 and two SV80
servos (installed)
Ready-to-fly 43.4 ounces
weight:
Flight duration: 10 minutes
PLUSES
• Officially licensed model of the ICON A5.
• Durable Z-foam construction with an exclusive
color scheme.
• Assembly is quick and simple.
• Flexibility to fly from land or water in minutes.
• Magnetic hatch provides easy access to the
battery compartment.
• DX8 and DX7s users can download the radio
setup.
• The included motor and battery provide a good
balance between power and flight duration.
• Wings can be removed with two screws,
making it easy to transport and store.
MINUSES
• Dutch Roll tendency under certain flight
conditions.
AT A GLANCE....
Left: The landing gear includes a steerable
nose wheel. It can easily be removed and gear
covers can be installed for flying from water.
Our 9 x 8 threeblade
propeller has
no markings; the
ICON now comes
with a propeller
that has 9 x 8
marked on the front
face of one of the
blades.
the elevator, everything worked properly
and moved in the right direction.
I hope in the future setups such as
this will be provided for bigger, more
advanced models.
Flying
As noted, the ICON can be set up to
fly from land or water. With the wheels
mounted, the ICON taxied onto the
runway and turned into the wind. The
combination of rudder and a steerable
tail wheel provided good control.
The takeoff roll requires a small
amount of right rudder. Using the
recommended throws and 15%
exponential, it is easy to overcontrol. If
you are uncomfortable using the rudder
on takeoff, you may want to increase the
exponential to roughly 30%.
Slowly advancing the throttle from
zero to full for a couple of seconds
provides a nice takeoff run. With slight
back pressure on the elevator, the model
is airborne within 25 to 30 feet.
The ICON A5 looks good in the air
and the red on the wings, fuselage, and
horizontal tail makes it easy to see.
The 960Kv outrunner motor provides
plenty of power, is capable of short,
vertical climbs, and easily ascends at a
45° angle. The ICON will loop from
level flight and seems to prefer tight
loops, but is capable of larger ones if less
up-elevator is input.
The model exhibits symptoms of a
Dutch Roll or “tail wag” at times when
exiting a loop or in a dive. The tail wag is
58 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
The ICON A5 presents
well in the air, and
the red on the wings,
fuselage, and tail
makes it easy to see.
The ICON A5
handles well on
the water as long
as the wind is low.
The rudder provides
plenty of control
and a water rudder
is unnecessary.
Photo by Jason Van
Nostrand.
Little rudder input is required for a picture-perfect takeoff,
but a small amount of up-elevator is recommended.
more apparent in windier conditions.
While this side-to-side tail rocking
certainly gets your attention, the ICON
is still completely controllable during
oscillation.
Inverted flight is not a problem with
a bit of down-elevator to hold it in level
flight.
Rolls are easily completed and look
nicer if a bump of down-elevator is
applied, while inverted.
Knife-edge flight cannot be
maintained for long, because the model
rapidly loses altitude in what looks like a
Death Slide.
The ICON is capable of slow flight at
approximately one-quarter throttle, but
for scalelike flights and turns without
the loss of altitude, or fear of a stall, 60%
throttle is the sweet spot.
As with any aircraft, if the ICON
slows too much it will stall. This
never happened during flight except
intentionally, for testing. When stalled
the model will have a “mushy” feeling
and then drop the left wing. The ICON
recovers easily from a stall, provided you
have the altitude.
Landings can be done at a quarterthrottle.
Once above the runway, a
minor reduction in power, combined
with a slight amount of up-elevator,
should produce a flare and an impressive
three-point landing.
Flying from Water
Water testing was limited in Indiana
because of the winter weather, so I
enlisted the help of Jason Van Nostrand
in Arkansas, who has made more than
100 departures and landings from
water with the ICON A5. I’ll share his
thoughts and experiences.
After getting comfortable with the
water handling and flight characteristics
of the aircraft, he moved the CG to the
back of the recommended range with
as much aileron and rudder throw as he
could get. Elevator throw is set exactly
as recommended in the manual with
30% exponential added.
The ICON A5 handles well on the
water as long as the wind is low. The
rudder provides plenty of control and a
water rudder is not
needed. It’s best to
maintain full upelevator
while at
taxi speeds to keep the nose from going
under water.
In higher wind conditions, the ICON
will bury the downwind wingtip in the
water and try to flip over on the nose.
This can be avoided by pointing the
aircraft into the wind until the airplane
is up on-step, and then coming back to
shore at high speed.
The ICON lifts off the water
gracefully and has plenty of power. The
key to a successful takeoff is heading
into the wind and keeping the wings
level.
In the air, Jason found it is best to
keep the power on since the Dutch Roll
seems the worst when pulling power off.
Greasing a landing on the water
is challenging, in a fun way. The
exponential on the elevator helped a lot
with getting it to flare just right. If you
don’t fly it perfectly onto the water, it
will bounce. Even if you experience a
little bounce, the ICON will settle in
nicely and does not seem as though it
will nose-over easily.
The waterproofing on the fuselage
works well. After dozens of touch-andgos,
there were only a few drops of
water inside the aircraft.
Jason recommends storing the
airplane with the canopy off because the
waterproofing will seal water in while
parked as well as it seals it out when it’s
on the lake.
This is an excellent intermediate
airplane that also happens to fly off
water. The stock configuration and
electronics don’t need any modification.
Conclusion
The ICON A5 combines the sleek
look and flexibility of its full-scale
namesake with the simplicity and
support for which ParkZone is known.
Add to that the ability to download
the proper transmitter settings for
the Spektrum DX8 or DX7s, and all
the guesswork is removed from the
equation.
If you are looking for a semiscale
model that has the flight qualities of a
trainer, flexibility of an amphibian, and
can be ready to fly faster then you can
charge the battery, the ParkZone ICON
A5 awaits you.
—Jay Smith
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/05
Page Numbers: 55,56,57,58,59
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/05
Page Numbers: 55,56,57,58,59
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 55
Photos by the author unless noted
A park-size
model that
retains the
excitement
and flexibility
of its full-scale
namesake
The ICON can be ready for flight in less time than it takes to charge
the battery. The tinted canopy and included pilot enhance this
attractive model.
The first time I laid eyes on the
ICON A5 was at the 2010
EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin. The full-scale aircraft
looked to revolutionize the Light
Sport Aircraft (LSA) industry with the
ability to fly from land or water, and it
had an appealing, sleek look.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who
felt that way because the $139,000 fullscale
aircraft had a lengthy backorder
list! If I had that kind of money, I would
definitely own one.
With the full-scale offering out of
reach, I was excited to learn the aircraft
is sold by ParkZone in an affordable,
park-size model that retains the
excitement and flexibility of its full-scale
namesake. It is even licensed by ICON
Aircraft!
Assembly
Two thoughts popped into my mind
as I unpacked the ParkZone ICON. The
first was how quickly it seemed the
assembly would be thanks to the low
parts count. The second was that there
was no instruction manual, but it was
downloadable from Horizon Hobby’s
website. (We received the review aircraft
before the manual was complete.)
The benefit of going to the Web to
find the manual was that I also found
the Spektrum DX7s Setups Download.
Inside this zip file, I found 17 aircraft,
including the ICON A5.
After the model setup was
downloaded to my Secure Digital
card, I transfered the information to
an empty slot in the model memory
of the Spektrum DX7s. This provided
the same setup used by the ParkZone
Development Team as listed in the
manual, including all dual rates,
exponential, and correct servo reversing.
I was amazed that not only did I have
an aircraft that needed little assembly,
but also the ability to have my radio set
up to meet the exact requirements of
the model!
It is important to keep in mind this
safety notice about the model setups
provided in the README file:
“The model setup files provided here
can greatly simplify setting up complex
programming in your DX7s for you
favorite aircraft. Because mechanical
parkzone icon a5 bnf
Jay Smith
[email protected]
REVIEW
56 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Above: The parts count is low and a foam stand
is included, which helps support the model—
especially if the landing gear is not used.
Left: The magnetic hatch does a nice job of
keeping water out, while providing easy access
to the battery, receiver, and ESC.
setups can vary on some types of models,
it is your responsibility to ensure that
all controls are operating in the proper
direction and within the manufacturer’s
recommended throws. You should also
take time to understand the anticipated
flight characteristics for each flight mode
that might be enabled.”
I received the Bind-N-Fly (BNF)
version of the ICON A5, which includes
everything you need except for a DSM2
or DSMX transmitter. The Plug-NPlay
(PNP) version requires a receiver,
battery, and charger.
The charger included with the BNF
version is a DC balancing charger with
a cigarette lighter plug. Although this
charger is adequate, I chose to use the
E-flite Celectra 80-watt AC/DC charger
so I could closely monitor the battery.
After binding the model to the DX7s,
it was time to install the wings. They
slid onto the carbon-fiber wing tube, the
servo leads plugged into their extensions,
and a 3 x 16mm screw held each wing
in place.
The horizontal tail installs with two
writing on the blades to confirm I that
am installing it in the proper direction.
The ICON’s propeller has no markings
and I determined the correct way by
looking at the propeller’s pitch.
Horizon Hobby shared with me that
all ParkZone ICON’s now being sold
have 9 x 8 marked on the front face of
one of the propeller blades.
Depending on whether the model
will be flown from a hard surface or the
water determines if you install wheels
or the mounting covers. If the option
for wheels is chosen, an extra linkage
is provided to make the nose wheel
steerable.
The model can easily be
switched between its land and
water configurations with a Phillips
screwdriver and a few minutes of time.
With the 3S 2200 mAh battery
pushed all the way forward in the
battery tray, the ICON balanced at
the recommended 30-35mm from the
wing’s LE.
As I mentioned, the setup for the
Spektrum DX7s was downloaded and
imported into the radio. Other than a
minor adjustment to the sub trim on
3 x 22mm screws, and then the elevator
control linkage can be added. All of the
linkages were attached to the holes in
the control horns as instructed in the
manual.
The motor only requires the propeller
shaft adapter, propeller, and spinner to
be mounted to be complete. Normally,
when installing a propeller, I look for
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 57
Specificat ions
Model type: Semiscale ARF
Skill level: Beginner builder; intermediate
pilot
Wingspan: 52.5 inches
Wing area: 357.5 square inches
Length: 34.5 inches
Weight: 43.4 ounces
Power system: 480-size 960 Kv brushless
outrunner (installed)
Radio: Four channels with four
servos
Construction: Foam and plastic
Price: $199.99 (PNP) $279.99 (BNF)
Test-Model Deta ils
Power: 480-size 960 Kv brushless
outrunner (installed); 30-amp
Pro SB brushless ESC
(installed)
Battery: ParkZone three-cell, 2200 mAh
LiPo
Propeller: 9 x 8 three-blade
Radio system: Spektrum DX7s transmitter;
Spektrum AR600 DSMX
receiver (installed);
Two DSV130 and two SV80
servos (installed)
Ready-to-fly 43.4 ounces
weight:
Flight duration: 10 minutes
PLUSES
• Officially licensed model of the ICON A5.
• Durable Z-foam construction with an exclusive
color scheme.
• Assembly is quick and simple.
• Flexibility to fly from land or water in minutes.
• Magnetic hatch provides easy access to the
battery compartment.
• DX8 and DX7s users can download the radio
setup.
• The included motor and battery provide a good
balance between power and flight duration.
• Wings can be removed with two screws,
making it easy to transport and store.
MINUSES
• Dutch Roll tendency under certain flight
conditions.
AT A GLANCE....
Left: The landing gear includes a steerable
nose wheel. It can easily be removed and gear
covers can be installed for flying from water.
Our 9 x 8 threeblade
propeller has
no markings; the
ICON now comes
with a propeller
that has 9 x 8
marked on the front
face of one of the
blades.
the elevator, everything worked properly
and moved in the right direction.
I hope in the future setups such as
this will be provided for bigger, more
advanced models.
Flying
As noted, the ICON can be set up to
fly from land or water. With the wheels
mounted, the ICON taxied onto the
runway and turned into the wind. The
combination of rudder and a steerable
tail wheel provided good control.
The takeoff roll requires a small
amount of right rudder. Using the
recommended throws and 15%
exponential, it is easy to overcontrol. If
you are uncomfortable using the rudder
on takeoff, you may want to increase the
exponential to roughly 30%.
Slowly advancing the throttle from
zero to full for a couple of seconds
provides a nice takeoff run. With slight
back pressure on the elevator, the model
is airborne within 25 to 30 feet.
The ICON A5 looks good in the air
and the red on the wings, fuselage, and
horizontal tail makes it easy to see.
The 960Kv outrunner motor provides
plenty of power, is capable of short,
vertical climbs, and easily ascends at a
45° angle. The ICON will loop from
level flight and seems to prefer tight
loops, but is capable of larger ones if less
up-elevator is input.
The model exhibits symptoms of a
Dutch Roll or “tail wag” at times when
exiting a loop or in a dive. The tail wag is
58 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
The ICON A5 presents
well in the air, and
the red on the wings,
fuselage, and tail
makes it easy to see.
The ICON A5
handles well on
the water as long
as the wind is low.
The rudder provides
plenty of control
and a water rudder
is unnecessary.
Photo by Jason Van
Nostrand.
Little rudder input is required for a picture-perfect takeoff,
but a small amount of up-elevator is recommended.
more apparent in windier conditions.
While this side-to-side tail rocking
certainly gets your attention, the ICON
is still completely controllable during
oscillation.
Inverted flight is not a problem with
a bit of down-elevator to hold it in level
flight.
Rolls are easily completed and look
nicer if a bump of down-elevator is
applied, while inverted.
Knife-edge flight cannot be
maintained for long, because the model
rapidly loses altitude in what looks like a
Death Slide.
The ICON is capable of slow flight at
approximately one-quarter throttle, but
for scalelike flights and turns without
the loss of altitude, or fear of a stall, 60%
throttle is the sweet spot.
As with any aircraft, if the ICON
slows too much it will stall. This
never happened during flight except
intentionally, for testing. When stalled
the model will have a “mushy” feeling
and then drop the left wing. The ICON
recovers easily from a stall, provided you
have the altitude.
Landings can be done at a quarterthrottle.
Once above the runway, a
minor reduction in power, combined
with a slight amount of up-elevator,
should produce a flare and an impressive
three-point landing.
Flying from Water
Water testing was limited in Indiana
because of the winter weather, so I
enlisted the help of Jason Van Nostrand
in Arkansas, who has made more than
100 departures and landings from
water with the ICON A5. I’ll share his
thoughts and experiences.
After getting comfortable with the
water handling and flight characteristics
of the aircraft, he moved the CG to the
back of the recommended range with
as much aileron and rudder throw as he
could get. Elevator throw is set exactly
as recommended in the manual with
30% exponential added.
The ICON A5 handles well on the
water as long as the wind is low. The
rudder provides plenty of control and a
water rudder is not
needed. It’s best to
maintain full upelevator
while at
taxi speeds to keep the nose from going
under water.
In higher wind conditions, the ICON
will bury the downwind wingtip in the
water and try to flip over on the nose.
This can be avoided by pointing the
aircraft into the wind until the airplane
is up on-step, and then coming back to
shore at high speed.
The ICON lifts off the water
gracefully and has plenty of power. The
key to a successful takeoff is heading
into the wind and keeping the wings
level.
In the air, Jason found it is best to
keep the power on since the Dutch Roll
seems the worst when pulling power off.
Greasing a landing on the water
is challenging, in a fun way. The
exponential on the elevator helped a lot
with getting it to flare just right. If you
don’t fly it perfectly onto the water, it
will bounce. Even if you experience a
little bounce, the ICON will settle in
nicely and does not seem as though it
will nose-over easily.
The waterproofing on the fuselage
works well. After dozens of touch-andgos,
there were only a few drops of
water inside the aircraft.
Jason recommends storing the
airplane with the canopy off because the
waterproofing will seal water in while
parked as well as it seals it out when it’s
on the lake.
This is an excellent intermediate
airplane that also happens to fly off
water. The stock configuration and
electronics don’t need any modification.
Conclusion
The ICON A5 combines the sleek
look and flexibility of its full-scale
namesake with the simplicity and
support for which ParkZone is known.
Add to that the ability to download
the proper transmitter settings for
the Spektrum DX8 or DX7s, and all
the guesswork is removed from the
equation.
If you are looking for a semiscale
model that has the flight qualities of a
trainer, flexibility of an amphibian, and
can be ready to fly faster then you can
charge the battery, the ParkZone ICON
A5 awaits you.
—Jay Smith
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/05
Page Numbers: 55,56,57,58,59
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 55
Photos by the author unless noted
A park-size
model that
retains the
excitement
and flexibility
of its full-scale
namesake
The ICON can be ready for flight in less time than it takes to charge
the battery. The tinted canopy and included pilot enhance this
attractive model.
The first time I laid eyes on the
ICON A5 was at the 2010
EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin. The full-scale aircraft
looked to revolutionize the Light
Sport Aircraft (LSA) industry with the
ability to fly from land or water, and it
had an appealing, sleek look.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who
felt that way because the $139,000 fullscale
aircraft had a lengthy backorder
list! If I had that kind of money, I would
definitely own one.
With the full-scale offering out of
reach, I was excited to learn the aircraft
is sold by ParkZone in an affordable,
park-size model that retains the
excitement and flexibility of its full-scale
namesake. It is even licensed by ICON
Aircraft!
Assembly
Two thoughts popped into my mind
as I unpacked the ParkZone ICON. The
first was how quickly it seemed the
assembly would be thanks to the low
parts count. The second was that there
was no instruction manual, but it was
downloadable from Horizon Hobby’s
website. (We received the review aircraft
before the manual was complete.)
The benefit of going to the Web to
find the manual was that I also found
the Spektrum DX7s Setups Download.
Inside this zip file, I found 17 aircraft,
including the ICON A5.
After the model setup was
downloaded to my Secure Digital
card, I transfered the information to
an empty slot in the model memory
of the Spektrum DX7s. This provided
the same setup used by the ParkZone
Development Team as listed in the
manual, including all dual rates,
exponential, and correct servo reversing.
I was amazed that not only did I have
an aircraft that needed little assembly,
but also the ability to have my radio set
up to meet the exact requirements of
the model!
It is important to keep in mind this
safety notice about the model setups
provided in the README file:
“The model setup files provided here
can greatly simplify setting up complex
programming in your DX7s for you
favorite aircraft. Because mechanical
parkzone icon a5 bnf
Jay Smith
[email protected]
REVIEW
56 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Above: The parts count is low and a foam stand
is included, which helps support the model—
especially if the landing gear is not used.
Left: The magnetic hatch does a nice job of
keeping water out, while providing easy access
to the battery, receiver, and ESC.
setups can vary on some types of models,
it is your responsibility to ensure that
all controls are operating in the proper
direction and within the manufacturer’s
recommended throws. You should also
take time to understand the anticipated
flight characteristics for each flight mode
that might be enabled.”
I received the Bind-N-Fly (BNF)
version of the ICON A5, which includes
everything you need except for a DSM2
or DSMX transmitter. The Plug-NPlay
(PNP) version requires a receiver,
battery, and charger.
The charger included with the BNF
version is a DC balancing charger with
a cigarette lighter plug. Although this
charger is adequate, I chose to use the
E-flite Celectra 80-watt AC/DC charger
so I could closely monitor the battery.
After binding the model to the DX7s,
it was time to install the wings. They
slid onto the carbon-fiber wing tube, the
servo leads plugged into their extensions,
and a 3 x 16mm screw held each wing
in place.
The horizontal tail installs with two
writing on the blades to confirm I that
am installing it in the proper direction.
The ICON’s propeller has no markings
and I determined the correct way by
looking at the propeller’s pitch.
Horizon Hobby shared with me that
all ParkZone ICON’s now being sold
have 9 x 8 marked on the front face of
one of the propeller blades.
Depending on whether the model
will be flown from a hard surface or the
water determines if you install wheels
or the mounting covers. If the option
for wheels is chosen, an extra linkage
is provided to make the nose wheel
steerable.
The model can easily be
switched between its land and
water configurations with a Phillips
screwdriver and a few minutes of time.
With the 3S 2200 mAh battery
pushed all the way forward in the
battery tray, the ICON balanced at
the recommended 30-35mm from the
wing’s LE.
As I mentioned, the setup for the
Spektrum DX7s was downloaded and
imported into the radio. Other than a
minor adjustment to the sub trim on
3 x 22mm screws, and then the elevator
control linkage can be added. All of the
linkages were attached to the holes in
the control horns as instructed in the
manual.
The motor only requires the propeller
shaft adapter, propeller, and spinner to
be mounted to be complete. Normally,
when installing a propeller, I look for
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 57
Specificat ions
Model type: Semiscale ARF
Skill level: Beginner builder; intermediate
pilot
Wingspan: 52.5 inches
Wing area: 357.5 square inches
Length: 34.5 inches
Weight: 43.4 ounces
Power system: 480-size 960 Kv brushless
outrunner (installed)
Radio: Four channels with four
servos
Construction: Foam and plastic
Price: $199.99 (PNP) $279.99 (BNF)
Test-Model Deta ils
Power: 480-size 960 Kv brushless
outrunner (installed); 30-amp
Pro SB brushless ESC
(installed)
Battery: ParkZone three-cell, 2200 mAh
LiPo
Propeller: 9 x 8 three-blade
Radio system: Spektrum DX7s transmitter;
Spektrum AR600 DSMX
receiver (installed);
Two DSV130 and two SV80
servos (installed)
Ready-to-fly 43.4 ounces
weight:
Flight duration: 10 minutes
PLUSES
• Officially licensed model of the ICON A5.
• Durable Z-foam construction with an exclusive
color scheme.
• Assembly is quick and simple.
• Flexibility to fly from land or water in minutes.
• Magnetic hatch provides easy access to the
battery compartment.
• DX8 and DX7s users can download the radio
setup.
• The included motor and battery provide a good
balance between power and flight duration.
• Wings can be removed with two screws,
making it easy to transport and store.
MINUSES
• Dutch Roll tendency under certain flight
conditions.
AT A GLANCE....
Left: The landing gear includes a steerable
nose wheel. It can easily be removed and gear
covers can be installed for flying from water.
Our 9 x 8 threeblade
propeller has
no markings; the
ICON now comes
with a propeller
that has 9 x 8
marked on the front
face of one of the
blades.
the elevator, everything worked properly
and moved in the right direction.
I hope in the future setups such as
this will be provided for bigger, more
advanced models.
Flying
As noted, the ICON can be set up to
fly from land or water. With the wheels
mounted, the ICON taxied onto the
runway and turned into the wind. The
combination of rudder and a steerable
tail wheel provided good control.
The takeoff roll requires a small
amount of right rudder. Using the
recommended throws and 15%
exponential, it is easy to overcontrol. If
you are uncomfortable using the rudder
on takeoff, you may want to increase the
exponential to roughly 30%.
Slowly advancing the throttle from
zero to full for a couple of seconds
provides a nice takeoff run. With slight
back pressure on the elevator, the model
is airborne within 25 to 30 feet.
The ICON A5 looks good in the air
and the red on the wings, fuselage, and
horizontal tail makes it easy to see.
The 960Kv outrunner motor provides
plenty of power, is capable of short,
vertical climbs, and easily ascends at a
45° angle. The ICON will loop from
level flight and seems to prefer tight
loops, but is capable of larger ones if less
up-elevator is input.
The model exhibits symptoms of a
Dutch Roll or “tail wag” at times when
exiting a loop or in a dive. The tail wag is
58 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
The ICON A5 presents
well in the air, and
the red on the wings,
fuselage, and tail
makes it easy to see.
The ICON A5
handles well on
the water as long
as the wind is low.
The rudder provides
plenty of control
and a water rudder
is unnecessary.
Photo by Jason Van
Nostrand.
Little rudder input is required for a picture-perfect takeoff,
but a small amount of up-elevator is recommended.
more apparent in windier conditions.
While this side-to-side tail rocking
certainly gets your attention, the ICON
is still completely controllable during
oscillation.
Inverted flight is not a problem with
a bit of down-elevator to hold it in level
flight.
Rolls are easily completed and look
nicer if a bump of down-elevator is
applied, while inverted.
Knife-edge flight cannot be
maintained for long, because the model
rapidly loses altitude in what looks like a
Death Slide.
The ICON is capable of slow flight at
approximately one-quarter throttle, but
for scalelike flights and turns without
the loss of altitude, or fear of a stall, 60%
throttle is the sweet spot.
As with any aircraft, if the ICON
slows too much it will stall. This
never happened during flight except
intentionally, for testing. When stalled
the model will have a “mushy” feeling
and then drop the left wing. The ICON
recovers easily from a stall, provided you
have the altitude.
Landings can be done at a quarterthrottle.
Once above the runway, a
minor reduction in power, combined
with a slight amount of up-elevator,
should produce a flare and an impressive
three-point landing.
Flying from Water
Water testing was limited in Indiana
because of the winter weather, so I
enlisted the help of Jason Van Nostrand
in Arkansas, who has made more than
100 departures and landings from
water with the ICON A5. I’ll share his
thoughts and experiences.
After getting comfortable with the
water handling and flight characteristics
of the aircraft, he moved the CG to the
back of the recommended range with
as much aileron and rudder throw as he
could get. Elevator throw is set exactly
as recommended in the manual with
30% exponential added.
The ICON A5 handles well on the
water as long as the wind is low. The
rudder provides plenty of control and a
water rudder is not
needed. It’s best to
maintain full upelevator
while at
taxi speeds to keep the nose from going
under water.
In higher wind conditions, the ICON
will bury the downwind wingtip in the
water and try to flip over on the nose.
This can be avoided by pointing the
aircraft into the wind until the airplane
is up on-step, and then coming back to
shore at high speed.
The ICON lifts off the water
gracefully and has plenty of power. The
key to a successful takeoff is heading
into the wind and keeping the wings
level.
In the air, Jason found it is best to
keep the power on since the Dutch Roll
seems the worst when pulling power off.
Greasing a landing on the water
is challenging, in a fun way. The
exponential on the elevator helped a lot
with getting it to flare just right. If you
don’t fly it perfectly onto the water, it
will bounce. Even if you experience a
little bounce, the ICON will settle in
nicely and does not seem as though it
will nose-over easily.
The waterproofing on the fuselage
works well. After dozens of touch-andgos,
there were only a few drops of
water inside the aircraft.
Jason recommends storing the
airplane with the canopy off because the
waterproofing will seal water in while
parked as well as it seals it out when it’s
on the lake.
This is an excellent intermediate
airplane that also happens to fly off
water. The stock configuration and
electronics don’t need any modification.
Conclusion
The ICON A5 combines the sleek
look and flexibility of its full-scale
namesake with the simplicity and
support for which ParkZone is known.
Add to that the ability to download
the proper transmitter settings for
the Spektrum DX8 or DX7s, and all
the guesswork is removed from the
equation.
If you are looking for a semiscale
model that has the flight qualities of a
trainer, flexibility of an amphibian, and
can be ready to fly faster then you can
charge the battery, the ParkZone ICON
A5 awaits you.
—Jay Smith
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/05
Page Numbers: 55,56,57,58,59
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 55
Photos by the author unless noted
A park-size
model that
retains the
excitement
and flexibility
of its full-scale
namesake
The ICON can be ready for flight in less time than it takes to charge
the battery. The tinted canopy and included pilot enhance this
attractive model.
The first time I laid eyes on the
ICON A5 was at the 2010
EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin. The full-scale aircraft
looked to revolutionize the Light
Sport Aircraft (LSA) industry with the
ability to fly from land or water, and it
had an appealing, sleek look.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who
felt that way because the $139,000 fullscale
aircraft had a lengthy backorder
list! If I had that kind of money, I would
definitely own one.
With the full-scale offering out of
reach, I was excited to learn the aircraft
is sold by ParkZone in an affordable,
park-size model that retains the
excitement and flexibility of its full-scale
namesake. It is even licensed by ICON
Aircraft!
Assembly
Two thoughts popped into my mind
as I unpacked the ParkZone ICON. The
first was how quickly it seemed the
assembly would be thanks to the low
parts count. The second was that there
was no instruction manual, but it was
downloadable from Horizon Hobby’s
website. (We received the review aircraft
before the manual was complete.)
The benefit of going to the Web to
find the manual was that I also found
the Spektrum DX7s Setups Download.
Inside this zip file, I found 17 aircraft,
including the ICON A5.
After the model setup was
downloaded to my Secure Digital
card, I transfered the information to
an empty slot in the model memory
of the Spektrum DX7s. This provided
the same setup used by the ParkZone
Development Team as listed in the
manual, including all dual rates,
exponential, and correct servo reversing.
I was amazed that not only did I have
an aircraft that needed little assembly,
but also the ability to have my radio set
up to meet the exact requirements of
the model!
It is important to keep in mind this
safety notice about the model setups
provided in the README file:
“The model setup files provided here
can greatly simplify setting up complex
programming in your DX7s for you
favorite aircraft. Because mechanical
parkzone icon a5 bnf
Jay Smith
[email protected]
REVIEW
56 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Above: The parts count is low and a foam stand
is included, which helps support the model—
especially if the landing gear is not used.
Left: The magnetic hatch does a nice job of
keeping water out, while providing easy access
to the battery, receiver, and ESC.
setups can vary on some types of models,
it is your responsibility to ensure that
all controls are operating in the proper
direction and within the manufacturer’s
recommended throws. You should also
take time to understand the anticipated
flight characteristics for each flight mode
that might be enabled.”
I received the Bind-N-Fly (BNF)
version of the ICON A5, which includes
everything you need except for a DSM2
or DSMX transmitter. The Plug-NPlay
(PNP) version requires a receiver,
battery, and charger.
The charger included with the BNF
version is a DC balancing charger with
a cigarette lighter plug. Although this
charger is adequate, I chose to use the
E-flite Celectra 80-watt AC/DC charger
so I could closely monitor the battery.
After binding the model to the DX7s,
it was time to install the wings. They
slid onto the carbon-fiber wing tube, the
servo leads plugged into their extensions,
and a 3 x 16mm screw held each wing
in place.
The horizontal tail installs with two
writing on the blades to confirm I that
am installing it in the proper direction.
The ICON’s propeller has no markings
and I determined the correct way by
looking at the propeller’s pitch.
Horizon Hobby shared with me that
all ParkZone ICON’s now being sold
have 9 x 8 marked on the front face of
one of the propeller blades.
Depending on whether the model
will be flown from a hard surface or the
water determines if you install wheels
or the mounting covers. If the option
for wheels is chosen, an extra linkage
is provided to make the nose wheel
steerable.
The model can easily be
switched between its land and
water configurations with a Phillips
screwdriver and a few minutes of time.
With the 3S 2200 mAh battery
pushed all the way forward in the
battery tray, the ICON balanced at
the recommended 30-35mm from the
wing’s LE.
As I mentioned, the setup for the
Spektrum DX7s was downloaded and
imported into the radio. Other than a
minor adjustment to the sub trim on
3 x 22mm screws, and then the elevator
control linkage can be added. All of the
linkages were attached to the holes in
the control horns as instructed in the
manual.
The motor only requires the propeller
shaft adapter, propeller, and spinner to
be mounted to be complete. Normally,
when installing a propeller, I look for
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 57
Specificat ions
Model type: Semiscale ARF
Skill level: Beginner builder; intermediate
pilot
Wingspan: 52.5 inches
Wing area: 357.5 square inches
Length: 34.5 inches
Weight: 43.4 ounces
Power system: 480-size 960 Kv brushless
outrunner (installed)
Radio: Four channels with four
servos
Construction: Foam and plastic
Price: $199.99 (PNP) $279.99 (BNF)
Test-Model Deta ils
Power: 480-size 960 Kv brushless
outrunner (installed); 30-amp
Pro SB brushless ESC
(installed)
Battery: ParkZone three-cell, 2200 mAh
LiPo
Propeller: 9 x 8 three-blade
Radio system: Spektrum DX7s transmitter;
Spektrum AR600 DSMX
receiver (installed);
Two DSV130 and two SV80
servos (installed)
Ready-to-fly 43.4 ounces
weight:
Flight duration: 10 minutes
PLUSES
• Officially licensed model of the ICON A5.
• Durable Z-foam construction with an exclusive
color scheme.
• Assembly is quick and simple.
• Flexibility to fly from land or water in minutes.
• Magnetic hatch provides easy access to the
battery compartment.
• DX8 and DX7s users can download the radio
setup.
• The included motor and battery provide a good
balance between power and flight duration.
• Wings can be removed with two screws,
making it easy to transport and store.
MINUSES
• Dutch Roll tendency under certain flight
conditions.
AT A GLANCE....
Left: The landing gear includes a steerable
nose wheel. It can easily be removed and gear
covers can be installed for flying from water.
Our 9 x 8 threeblade
propeller has
no markings; the
ICON now comes
with a propeller
that has 9 x 8
marked on the front
face of one of the
blades.
the elevator, everything worked properly
and moved in the right direction.
I hope in the future setups such as
this will be provided for bigger, more
advanced models.
Flying
As noted, the ICON can be set up to
fly from land or water. With the wheels
mounted, the ICON taxied onto the
runway and turned into the wind. The
combination of rudder and a steerable
tail wheel provided good control.
The takeoff roll requires a small
amount of right rudder. Using the
recommended throws and 15%
exponential, it is easy to overcontrol. If
you are uncomfortable using the rudder
on takeoff, you may want to increase the
exponential to roughly 30%.
Slowly advancing the throttle from
zero to full for a couple of seconds
provides a nice takeoff run. With slight
back pressure on the elevator, the model
is airborne within 25 to 30 feet.
The ICON A5 looks good in the air
and the red on the wings, fuselage, and
horizontal tail makes it easy to see.
The 960Kv outrunner motor provides
plenty of power, is capable of short,
vertical climbs, and easily ascends at a
45° angle. The ICON will loop from
level flight and seems to prefer tight
loops, but is capable of larger ones if less
up-elevator is input.
The model exhibits symptoms of a
Dutch Roll or “tail wag” at times when
exiting a loop or in a dive. The tail wag is
58 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
The ICON A5 presents
well in the air, and
the red on the wings,
fuselage, and tail
makes it easy to see.
The ICON A5
handles well on
the water as long
as the wind is low.
The rudder provides
plenty of control
and a water rudder
is unnecessary.
Photo by Jason Van
Nostrand.
Little rudder input is required for a picture-perfect takeoff,
but a small amount of up-elevator is recommended.
more apparent in windier conditions.
While this side-to-side tail rocking
certainly gets your attention, the ICON
is still completely controllable during
oscillation.
Inverted flight is not a problem with
a bit of down-elevator to hold it in level
flight.
Rolls are easily completed and look
nicer if a bump of down-elevator is
applied, while inverted.
Knife-edge flight cannot be
maintained for long, because the model
rapidly loses altitude in what looks like a
Death Slide.
The ICON is capable of slow flight at
approximately one-quarter throttle, but
for scalelike flights and turns without
the loss of altitude, or fear of a stall, 60%
throttle is the sweet spot.
As with any aircraft, if the ICON
slows too much it will stall. This
never happened during flight except
intentionally, for testing. When stalled
the model will have a “mushy” feeling
and then drop the left wing. The ICON
recovers easily from a stall, provided you
have the altitude.
Landings can be done at a quarterthrottle.
Once above the runway, a
minor reduction in power, combined
with a slight amount of up-elevator,
should produce a flare and an impressive
three-point landing.
Flying from Water
Water testing was limited in Indiana
because of the winter weather, so I
enlisted the help of Jason Van Nostrand
in Arkansas, who has made more than
100 departures and landings from
water with the ICON A5. I’ll share his
thoughts and experiences.
After getting comfortable with the
water handling and flight characteristics
of the aircraft, he moved the CG to the
back of the recommended range with
as much aileron and rudder throw as he
could get. Elevator throw is set exactly
as recommended in the manual with
30% exponential added.
The ICON A5 handles well on the
water as long as the wind is low. The
rudder provides plenty of control and a
water rudder is not
needed. It’s best to
maintain full upelevator
while at
taxi speeds to keep the nose from going
under water.
In higher wind conditions, the ICON
will bury the downwind wingtip in the
water and try to flip over on the nose.
This can be avoided by pointing the
aircraft into the wind until the airplane
is up on-step, and then coming back to
shore at high speed.
The ICON lifts off the water
gracefully and has plenty of power. The
key to a successful takeoff is heading
into the wind and keeping the wings
level.
In the air, Jason found it is best to
keep the power on since the Dutch Roll
seems the worst when pulling power off.
Greasing a landing on the water
is challenging, in a fun way. The
exponential on the elevator helped a lot
with getting it to flare just right. If you
don’t fly it perfectly onto the water, it
will bounce. Even if you experience a
little bounce, the ICON will settle in
nicely and does not seem as though it
will nose-over easily.
The waterproofing on the fuselage
works well. After dozens of touch-andgos,
there were only a few drops of
water inside the aircraft.
Jason recommends storing the
airplane with the canopy off because the
waterproofing will seal water in while
parked as well as it seals it out when it’s
on the lake.
This is an excellent intermediate
airplane that also happens to fly off
water. The stock configuration and
electronics don’t need any modification.
Conclusion
The ICON A5 combines the sleek
look and flexibility of its full-scale
namesake with the simplicity and
support for which ParkZone is known.
Add to that the ability to download
the proper transmitter settings for
the Spektrum DX8 or DX7s, and all
the guesswork is removed from the
equation.
If you are looking for a semiscale
model that has the flight qualities of a
trainer, flexibility of an amphibian, and
can be ready to fly faster then you can
charge the battery, the ParkZone ICON
A5 awaits you.
—Jay Smith
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/05
Page Numbers: 55,56,57,58,59
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 55
Photos by the author unless noted
A park-size
model that
retains the
excitement
and flexibility
of its full-scale
namesake
The ICON can be ready for flight in less time than it takes to charge
the battery. The tinted canopy and included pilot enhance this
attractive model.
The first time I laid eyes on the
ICON A5 was at the 2010
EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin. The full-scale aircraft
looked to revolutionize the Light
Sport Aircraft (LSA) industry with the
ability to fly from land or water, and it
had an appealing, sleek look.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who
felt that way because the $139,000 fullscale
aircraft had a lengthy backorder
list! If I had that kind of money, I would
definitely own one.
With the full-scale offering out of
reach, I was excited to learn the aircraft
is sold by ParkZone in an affordable,
park-size model that retains the
excitement and flexibility of its full-scale
namesake. It is even licensed by ICON
Aircraft!
Assembly
Two thoughts popped into my mind
as I unpacked the ParkZone ICON. The
first was how quickly it seemed the
assembly would be thanks to the low
parts count. The second was that there
was no instruction manual, but it was
downloadable from Horizon Hobby’s
website. (We received the review aircraft
before the manual was complete.)
The benefit of going to the Web to
find the manual was that I also found
the Spektrum DX7s Setups Download.
Inside this zip file, I found 17 aircraft,
including the ICON A5.
After the model setup was
downloaded to my Secure Digital
card, I transfered the information to
an empty slot in the model memory
of the Spektrum DX7s. This provided
the same setup used by the ParkZone
Development Team as listed in the
manual, including all dual rates,
exponential, and correct servo reversing.
I was amazed that not only did I have
an aircraft that needed little assembly,
but also the ability to have my radio set
up to meet the exact requirements of
the model!
It is important to keep in mind this
safety notice about the model setups
provided in the README file:
“The model setup files provided here
can greatly simplify setting up complex
programming in your DX7s for you
favorite aircraft. Because mechanical
parkzone icon a5 bnf
Jay Smith
[email protected]
REVIEW
56 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Above: The parts count is low and a foam stand
is included, which helps support the model—
especially if the landing gear is not used.
Left: The magnetic hatch does a nice job of
keeping water out, while providing easy access
to the battery, receiver, and ESC.
setups can vary on some types of models,
it is your responsibility to ensure that
all controls are operating in the proper
direction and within the manufacturer’s
recommended throws. You should also
take time to understand the anticipated
flight characteristics for each flight mode
that might be enabled.”
I received the Bind-N-Fly (BNF)
version of the ICON A5, which includes
everything you need except for a DSM2
or DSMX transmitter. The Plug-NPlay
(PNP) version requires a receiver,
battery, and charger.
The charger included with the BNF
version is a DC balancing charger with
a cigarette lighter plug. Although this
charger is adequate, I chose to use the
E-flite Celectra 80-watt AC/DC charger
so I could closely monitor the battery.
After binding the model to the DX7s,
it was time to install the wings. They
slid onto the carbon-fiber wing tube, the
servo leads plugged into their extensions,
and a 3 x 16mm screw held each wing
in place.
The horizontal tail installs with two
writing on the blades to confirm I that
am installing it in the proper direction.
The ICON’s propeller has no markings
and I determined the correct way by
looking at the propeller’s pitch.
Horizon Hobby shared with me that
all ParkZone ICON’s now being sold
have 9 x 8 marked on the front face of
one of the propeller blades.
Depending on whether the model
will be flown from a hard surface or the
water determines if you install wheels
or the mounting covers. If the option
for wheels is chosen, an extra linkage
is provided to make the nose wheel
steerable.
The model can easily be
switched between its land and
water configurations with a Phillips
screwdriver and a few minutes of time.
With the 3S 2200 mAh battery
pushed all the way forward in the
battery tray, the ICON balanced at
the recommended 30-35mm from the
wing’s LE.
As I mentioned, the setup for the
Spektrum DX7s was downloaded and
imported into the radio. Other than a
minor adjustment to the sub trim on
3 x 22mm screws, and then the elevator
control linkage can be added. All of the
linkages were attached to the holes in
the control horns as instructed in the
manual.
The motor only requires the propeller
shaft adapter, propeller, and spinner to
be mounted to be complete. Normally,
when installing a propeller, I look for
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 57
Specificat ions
Model type: Semiscale ARF
Skill level: Beginner builder; intermediate
pilot
Wingspan: 52.5 inches
Wing area: 357.5 square inches
Length: 34.5 inches
Weight: 43.4 ounces
Power system: 480-size 960 Kv brushless
outrunner (installed)
Radio: Four channels with four
servos
Construction: Foam and plastic
Price: $199.99 (PNP) $279.99 (BNF)
Test-Model Deta ils
Power: 480-size 960 Kv brushless
outrunner (installed); 30-amp
Pro SB brushless ESC
(installed)
Battery: ParkZone three-cell, 2200 mAh
LiPo
Propeller: 9 x 8 three-blade
Radio system: Spektrum DX7s transmitter;
Spektrum AR600 DSMX
receiver (installed);
Two DSV130 and two SV80
servos (installed)
Ready-to-fly 43.4 ounces
weight:
Flight duration: 10 minutes
PLUSES
• Officially licensed model of the ICON A5.
• Durable Z-foam construction with an exclusive
color scheme.
• Assembly is quick and simple.
• Flexibility to fly from land or water in minutes.
• Magnetic hatch provides easy access to the
battery compartment.
• DX8 and DX7s users can download the radio
setup.
• The included motor and battery provide a good
balance between power and flight duration.
• Wings can be removed with two screws,
making it easy to transport and store.
MINUSES
• Dutch Roll tendency under certain flight
conditions.
AT A GLANCE....
Left: The landing gear includes a steerable
nose wheel. It can easily be removed and gear
covers can be installed for flying from water.
Our 9 x 8 threeblade
propeller has
no markings; the
ICON now comes
with a propeller
that has 9 x 8
marked on the front
face of one of the
blades.
the elevator, everything worked properly
and moved in the right direction.
I hope in the future setups such as
this will be provided for bigger, more
advanced models.
Flying
As noted, the ICON can be set up to
fly from land or water. With the wheels
mounted, the ICON taxied onto the
runway and turned into the wind. The
combination of rudder and a steerable
tail wheel provided good control.
The takeoff roll requires a small
amount of right rudder. Using the
recommended throws and 15%
exponential, it is easy to overcontrol. If
you are uncomfortable using the rudder
on takeoff, you may want to increase the
exponential to roughly 30%.
Slowly advancing the throttle from
zero to full for a couple of seconds
provides a nice takeoff run. With slight
back pressure on the elevator, the model
is airborne within 25 to 30 feet.
The ICON A5 looks good in the air
and the red on the wings, fuselage, and
horizontal tail makes it easy to see.
The 960Kv outrunner motor provides
plenty of power, is capable of short,
vertical climbs, and easily ascends at a
45° angle. The ICON will loop from
level flight and seems to prefer tight
loops, but is capable of larger ones if less
up-elevator is input.
The model exhibits symptoms of a
Dutch Roll or “tail wag” at times when
exiting a loop or in a dive. The tail wag is
58 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
The ICON A5 presents
well in the air, and
the red on the wings,
fuselage, and tail
makes it easy to see.
The ICON A5
handles well on
the water as long
as the wind is low.
The rudder provides
plenty of control
and a water rudder
is unnecessary.
Photo by Jason Van
Nostrand.
Little rudder input is required for a picture-perfect takeoff,
but a small amount of up-elevator is recommended.
more apparent in windier conditions.
While this side-to-side tail rocking
certainly gets your attention, the ICON
is still completely controllable during
oscillation.
Inverted flight is not a problem with
a bit of down-elevator to hold it in level
flight.
Rolls are easily completed and look
nicer if a bump of down-elevator is
applied, while inverted.
Knife-edge flight cannot be
maintained for long, because the model
rapidly loses altitude in what looks like a
Death Slide.
The ICON is capable of slow flight at
approximately one-quarter throttle, but
for scalelike flights and turns without
the loss of altitude, or fear of a stall, 60%
throttle is the sweet spot.
As with any aircraft, if the ICON
slows too much it will stall. This
never happened during flight except
intentionally, for testing. When stalled
the model will have a “mushy” feeling
and then drop the left wing. The ICON
recovers easily from a stall, provided you
have the altitude.
Landings can be done at a quarterthrottle.
Once above the runway, a
minor reduction in power, combined
with a slight amount of up-elevator,
should produce a flare and an impressive
three-point landing.
Flying from Water
Water testing was limited in Indiana
because of the winter weather, so I
enlisted the help of Jason Van Nostrand
in Arkansas, who has made more than
100 departures and landings from
water with the ICON A5. I’ll share his
thoughts and experiences.
After getting comfortable with the
water handling and flight characteristics
of the aircraft, he moved the CG to the
back of the recommended range with
as much aileron and rudder throw as he
could get. Elevator throw is set exactly
as recommended in the manual with
30% exponential added.
The ICON A5 handles well on the
water as long as the wind is low. The
rudder provides plenty of control and a
water rudder is not
needed. It’s best to
maintain full upelevator
while at
taxi speeds to keep the nose from going
under water.
In higher wind conditions, the ICON
will bury the downwind wingtip in the
water and try to flip over on the nose.
This can be avoided by pointing the
aircraft into the wind until the airplane
is up on-step, and then coming back to
shore at high speed.
The ICON lifts off the water
gracefully and has plenty of power. The
key to a successful takeoff is heading
into the wind and keeping the wings
level.
In the air, Jason found it is best to
keep the power on since the Dutch Roll
seems the worst when pulling power off.
Greasing a landing on the water
is challenging, in a fun way. The
exponential on the elevator helped a lot
with getting it to flare just right. If you
don’t fly it perfectly onto the water, it
will bounce. Even if you experience a
little bounce, the ICON will settle in
nicely and does not seem as though it
will nose-over easily.
The waterproofing on the fuselage
works well. After dozens of touch-andgos,
there were only a few drops of
water inside the aircraft.
Jason recommends storing the
airplane with the canopy off because the
waterproofing will seal water in while
parked as well as it seals it out when it’s
on the lake.
This is an excellent intermediate
airplane that also happens to fly off
water. The stock configuration and
electronics don’t need any modification.
Conclusion
The ICON A5 combines the sleek
look and flexibility of its full-scale
namesake with the simplicity and
support for which ParkZone is known.
Add to that the ability to download
the proper transmitter settings for
the Spektrum DX8 or DX7s, and all
the guesswork is removed from the
equation.
If you are looking for a semiscale
model that has the flight qualities of a
trainer, flexibility of an amphibian, and
can be ready to fly faster then you can
charge the battery, the ParkZone ICON
A5 awaits you.
—Jay Smith
[email protected]