Since AirVenture 2012, I’ve been part of several discussions about the way — and reasons why — aircraft become certified. Sound boring? Yes and no. One way this might get your interest is to consider if Icon could join Cessna in going Primary Category instead of LSA. Disclaimer: I have no info about any such decision from Icon; this is merely a discussion. Perhaps even more to the point is the price of airplanes based on their certification cost. *** COST Some informed estimates from knowledgeable persons suggests the cost of taking a fully designed, tested, and otherwise ready LSA through the full process of ASTM approval including the manufacturing process may be the cost of one airplane at retail. In other words, it might cost $125-150,000 to “certificate” a new LSA, after all design work and testing has been done. A weight shift trike might cost $80,000 as ASTM standards are somewhat simpler for those aircraft types.
Discussion: LSA – Primary Category – Part 23
Icon Aircraft has requested a weight exemption for their A5 amphibian. What does this mean?
Cessna elected to go Primary Category with the Skycatcher. What are the implications?
Quicksilver Aeronautics (as it's now called) was the very first to win Primary Category approval for its GT500, way back in 1993. The company will now add SLSA and ELSA status to Experimental Amateur Built, thereby covering every possible method of FAA approval.
Rans also gained Primary Category approval for its S-7 Courier in addition to SLSA and EAB methods. They report $1.4 million to certify as Primary; can they charge enough to cover this?