They want people to own them, they just don't want the owners to have them.

This is just bizarre? Why would you buy one of these under these terms?!? Sounds crazy

More money than brains? They aren't even marketing it to pilots. Half of their deposit holders aren't pilots. Pilots know they can get a plane just as capable if not more capable for much less and without any of the BS that is the icon aircraft company.

Maybe it's all just a new marketing strategy.

I am not sure if anyone understands their business model. It's so bizarre as to be incomprehensible. Maybe its about taking investors money and running off with it, or maybe getting the plane to fly and then selling the company to someone else who will then make it a "normal" transaction. Very weird company..

I wouldn't buy any airplane with any conditions post sale.

If it is a strategy it is a seriously flawed one. They seem to be afraid of their own shadow regarding liability to the point of killing the product. Sad!

To me it's simple:

We have a product that is really more of a late alpha / early beta stage than production ready. We wanted to go live but protect ourselves. Well that didn't work out, but we still need the money. We don't have enough own capital to build a fleet of rentals that would generate positive cash flow so lets offer some people a chance to invest in our company in exchange for 3 days a month rentals. That brings us cash flow and we have them all under wraps to silently work out all kinks and issues.

Note: I assume kinks and issues are not really safety related, more of a usability/quality issues that would bring a lot of bad PR and cancelled orders if they truly released the product.

If they could get some of their liability protection stuff to take hold, it has the potential to revolutionize the industry.

I just don't know how to get there.

Amazing how incredibly difficult it is to start a new airplane company these days.

The business model was explained in the musical 'The Producers'.

I've given up and asked for my deposit back. Neat plane, but if I wanted to pay a lot for something but not actually own it, I'd buy an Oracle database license.

For those looking for a laugh, here are the latest T&Cs:

http://d2edahx6g47lzn.cloudfront.net/wp ... eement.pdf

Section 11 is a hoot.

What happens to an Icon if its owner dies?

You're basically paying 250k to dry lease a light sport! And then, depending on your pilot qualifications, about another 10k for THEM to teach you to fly it.

Patrick, did they say when they were gonna start deliveries?

What kind of business model would one call this??? The hoops that marketing would need to overcome is "fairly" huge.

You're basically paying 250k to dry lease a light sport! And then, depending on your pilot qualifications, about another 10k for THEM to teach you to fly it.

Patrick, did they say when they were gonna start deliveries?