The Company That Won't Answer Questions, is Creating Great Concern Amongst Its Customer Base

ANN has been bombarded with info and reports concerning the health and well-being of the Icon Aircraft program... many of them attributed to comments that were allegedly imparted at a recent Regional Aviation event.

And while multiple sources appear to have determined that there is some modest consensus on what's going on, many of them referring to an industry personality who has failed to return our calls, ANN simply can't/won't report this data until someone steps forward with substantial facts and verifiable evidence.

But Icon isn't talking.

However; even Icon's hometown paper tells ANN that the company isn't talking to them either, and numerous customers who were reportedly promised communications (if not a revised contract) by now, have yet to hear anything of substance. No one knows how long the company can maintain its silence but any PR expert will confirm that such silence is highly counterproductive... and Icon MUST know that.

It's been a sad process... with Icon displaying the ultimate disrespect for its customer base by keeping them in the dark after trying to stuff a highly restrictive and legally questionable contract down their throats, as if it was for their own good.

We have dozens of reports from reported depositors that this behavior (among other things) has cooled them to the prospect of EVER doing real business with Icon, many reported their attempts to cancel their orders, and one has to wonder whether Icon has done so much damage to itself that the program may not have the ability to attempt a recovery sufficient to meet their obligations and continue to do some manner of business... though we doubt the actual numbers once quoted (in terms of total sales--somewhere in excess of 1500) are likely to be realized at any time in the near future... if ever. 

So... until Icon speaks up, or someone authoritative does so in a way that allows for substantiation, here are the primary questions that need to be investigated and answered -- sooner rather than later (and before some lawyers smell blood).

• Does Icon Aircraft have enough capital to start serial production of the A5?
• If not; what is the financial health/position of the company and what happened to the $60M that was received in 2013 (much less the millions received prior to that time)?
• But if so, when will real live airplanes come off the production line in significant numbers?
• Will that production even occur this year?
• Will there be a revised sales contract, as suggested by reports and quotes attributed to Icon Aircraft (back when they were actually talking to people)?
• What is the legal status of Icon A5 deposit money? Is it in escrow?
• In a July 2009 ANN article, one of your customers shared a message you sent your customer base with the following quote, "As a reminder, your A5 deposit is held in escrow, refundable and fully transferable." Is this true? If not, please provide detail and background as to why these conditions may or may not be met.

OK... for the sake of the industry overall, we hope we get some clarification soon, and we hope its good news... but we, frankly, fear otherwise. We'll do our best to keep you posted.

FMI: www.iconaircraft.com, https://twitter.com/AeroNews/status/734844094493556736