ICON unveils first production version of its A5 aircraft
Posted: 07/29/2014 07:14:06 PM PDT
Click photo to enlarge
The production version of the A5 takes its maiden flight over Tehachipi on Monday. (Courtesy ICON)
ICON Aircraft has unveiled the first production version of its A5, an aircraft the company refers to as Engineering Serial Number 1 (ESN-1).
This is the first A5 built from the production design, with production tooling, and using production methods and components. ESN-1 was built over a five-month period, from January to June, and successfully completed its first flight on July 7 in Tehachapi. Its official unveiling was done at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisc., on Monday. This aircraft is one of three that will be used to verify performance and complete FAA approval prior to the start of customer deliveries in May of 2015.
ICON recently announced that it would begin operating in its new 140,000-square-foot facility in Vacaville, in early 2015. The company is currently readying the factory and offices to begin full-scale manufacturing. Once at full production rates, the factory will be capable of producing more than 500 aircraft per year.
"This is one of the most significant milestones to date for ICON. It represents the culmination of years of research, design, engineering, and manufacturing dedication by an outstanding team," said ICON Aircraft Founder and CEO Kirk Hawkins in a press release Tuesday. "The A5 is no longer a prototype or concept aircraft; it's a sophisticated, production-ready, consumer-focused aircraft. The entire ICON team is pouring its heart and soul into bringing the A5 to our customers, and it shows in the truly exceptional execution of the product. I couldn't be prouder."
"The A5's development has been a massive undertaking," said ICON VP of Engineering and CTO Matthew Gionta. "The amount of intellectual horsepower and years of relentless commitment that has gone into this aircraft is impressive. The ICON team worked tirelessly to make the A5 a reality; it is difficult to convey the magnitude of work involved to bring a new aircraft to market, much less one balancing all the demanding design requirements of the A5.
Before we could even begin designing the aircraft's 1600-plus unique components, the team spent thousands of hours designing, building, testing, and iterating the proof of concept aircraft to get it right. Only then could we design the production 2 parts, the tools to manufacture them, and work with the 100 or so suppliers that are contributing components to the A5," explained Gionta. "With ESN-1 complete and ESN-2 under construction, we are now looking toward FAA approval, after which we will begin customer deliveries. I can't wait for our customers to finally experience the finished product."
ESN-1 was built at ICON's facility in Tehachapi, and made its first flight from the Tehachapi Municipal Airport earlier this month. A video from the fligth can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-1UtYgQ_E.
"ESN-1 performed very well on its first flight," said ICON Test Pilot and Lead Aero Engineer Jon Karkow, who was at the controls for the flight. "Its flight characteristics are similar to the proof of concept aircraft, which logged more than 700 flights, with the same responsive character and control harmony. The hard work of the engineering and production teams is very clear."
A second production prototype, ESN-2, is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion and structural testing this fall. The first three aircraft built will support the FAA approval process, and the third aircraft will be delivered to the first customer after that process is complete.
To celebrate EAA AirVenture and the completion of ESN-1, ICON is auctioning one of the early ICON 100 production positions, serial number 030, which is scheduled for delivery in early 2016. The company will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Veterans Airlift Command, a non-profit charity that provides free air transportation to post 9/11 combat wounded and their families through a national network of volunteer aircraft, owners, and pilots. For more information about the auction, visit www.A5Auction.com.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014, 4:48 pm
Click photo to enlarge
The production version of the A5 takes its maiden flight over Tehachipi on Monday. (Courtesy ICON)
This is the first A5 built from the production design, with production tooling, and using production methods and components. ESN-1 was built over a five-month period, from January to June, and successfully completed its first flight on July 7 in Tehachapi. Its official unveiling was done at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisc., on Monday. This aircraft is one of three that will be used to verify performance and complete FAA approval prior to the start of customer deliveries in May of 2015.
ICON recently announced that it would begin operating in its new 140,000-square-foot facility in Vacaville, in early 2015. The company is currently readying the factory and offices to begin full-scale manufacturing. Once at full production rates, the factory will be capable of producing more than 500 aircraft per year.
"This is one of the most significant milestones to date for ICON. It represents the culmination of years of research, design, engineering, and manufacturing dedication by an outstanding team," said ICON Aircraft Founder and CEO Kirk Hawkins in a press release Tuesday. "The A5 is no longer a prototype or concept aircraft; it's a sophisticated, production-ready, consumer-focused aircraft. The entire ICON team is pouring its heart and soul into bringing the A5 to our customers, and it shows in the truly exceptional execution of the product. I couldn't be prouder."
"The A5's development has been a massive undertaking," said ICON VP of Engineering and CTO Matthew Gionta. "The amount of intellectual horsepower and years of relentless commitment that has gone into this aircraft is impressive. The ICON team worked tirelessly to make the A5 a reality; it is difficult to convey the magnitude of work involved to bring a new aircraft to market, much less one balancing all the demanding design requirements of the A5.
Before we could even begin designing the aircraft's 1600-plus unique components, the team spent thousands of hours designing, building, testing, and iterating the proof of concept aircraft to get it right. Only then could we design the production 2 parts, the tools to manufacture them, and work with the 100 or so suppliers that are contributing components to the A5," explained Gionta. "With ESN-1 complete and ESN-2 under construction, we are now looking toward FAA approval, after which we will begin customer deliveries. I can't wait for our customers to finally experience the finished product."
ESN-1 was built at ICON's facility in Tehachapi, and made its first flight from the Tehachapi Municipal Airport earlier this month. A video from the fligth can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-1UtYgQ_E.
"ESN-1 performed very well on its first flight," said ICON Test Pilot and Lead Aero Engineer Jon Karkow, who was at the controls for the flight. "Its flight characteristics are similar to the proof of concept aircraft, which logged more than 700 flights, with the same responsive character and control harmony. The hard work of the engineering and production teams is very clear."
A second production prototype, ESN-2, is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion and structural testing this fall. The first three aircraft built will support the FAA approval process, and the third aircraft will be delivered to the first customer after that process is complete.
To celebrate EAA AirVenture and the completion of ESN-1, ICON is auctioning one of the early ICON 100 production positions, serial number 030, which is scheduled for delivery in early 2016. The company will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Veterans Airlift Command, a non-profit charity that provides free air transportation to post 9/11 combat wounded and their families through a national network of volunteer aircraft, owners, and pilots. For more information about the auction, visit www.A5Auction.com.
ICON Aircraft to bring hundreds of advanced manufacturing jobs to Vacaville
By Gary Quackenbush, Special to the Business Journal
Architectural rendering of the planned ICON Aircraft factory in Vacaville that would employ hundreds of workers starting in early 2015. (credit: ICON Aircraft)
VACAVILLE — ICON Aircraft founder and CEO Kirk Hawkins on Wednesday said this manufacturer of a new generation of amphibious light sport aircraft will be moving all company functions from Los Angeles to a 140,000-square-foot facility near the Vacaville airport in coming months.
This facility, at 2141 Beechcraft Rd., will consolidate all company functions, including aircraft design, manufacturing, sales, training, service, as well as the firm’s corporate headquarters.
ICON Aircraft’s new A5 model
Mr. Hawkins said ICON already has 1,000 orders for the twin-seat aircraft that can land on runways or in the water. The first customer aircraft, called the A5, is scheduled to be completed and delivered by 2015. Initially this production center will employ 150 workers rising to 500 or more as output increases.
The price tag on the A5 is $189,000. Only two weeks of training at this center adjacent to the Vacaville airport runway is required to qualify for a daylight/good weather/low altitude Light Sport Aircraft license, including 20 hours of flight time. Training cost is extra and the fee has yet to be determined.
The annual economic impact on Vacaville and Solano County is estimated to exceed $350 million through wages paid, local purchases made by ICON, and increases in employee and visitor spending, as well as sales and property tax revenues to the city and county once the company is at full production rates.
Correction: An earlier version of this article included an outdated
price for the A5 aircraft. The article now reflects updated information.
Architectural rendering of the planned ICON Aircraft factory in Vacaville that would employ hundreds of workers starting in early 2015. (credit: ICON Aircraft)
ICON Aircraft’s new A5 model
The price tag on the A5 is $189,000. Only two weeks of training at this center adjacent to the Vacaville airport runway is required to qualify for a daylight/good weather/low altitude Light Sport Aircraft license, including 20 hours of flight time. Training cost is extra and the fee has yet to be determined.
The annual economic impact on Vacaville and Solano County is estimated to exceed $350 million through wages paid, local purchases made by ICON, and increases in employee and visitor spending, as well as sales and property tax revenues to the city and county once the company is at full production rates.
--
Sport aircraft company relocating to Vacaville
VACAVILLE — It was love at first sight for many on Wednesday.They touched. They circled. They looked underneath, on top and marveled at the beauty. “Talk about a cutie,” Solano County Supervisor John Vasquez said.
Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, caressed the carbon fiber outside and said, “Doesn’t it make you want to say, ‘Can I buy one, Patty?’ ”
The object of everyone’s affections was the new lightweight, compact amphibious sport plane, the Icon A5. The fact that the up-and-coming startup company chose Vacaville as its permanent place to land and begin full-scale production had an enthusiastic crowd of supporters – including state, county and city officials – on their feet with ovations a few times during the hourlong presentation to formally announce the company’s arrival in Vacaville.
Icon Aircraft has leased a 137,940-square-foot building on Beechcraft Road, adjacent to the Nut Tree Airport. The company, which already has more than 1,000 preorders on the $139,000 plane, is looking to roll out its first A5 from the Vacaville warehouse in early 2015.
Icon CEO Kirk Hawkins said the Icon A5 is designed to create an emotional feeling and “reinvent flying,” changing the face of personal aviation by making it more accessible. The airplane’s classification allows pilots to fly it with a sport pilot license that requires about two weeks of training, he said. That training will be supplied at the Icon location to those who purchase an A5.
The two-seater sport plane with foldable wings can land on both water and solid ground and is designed for speeds of 120 mph and a range of up to 300 miles. It burns both auto and aviation fuel.
“I call it human bladder duration,” Hawkins said, joking, about the fuel mileage distance.
It’s been a long time coming. The city began the flirting and wooing process more than three years ago. During that time, Hawkins, a former Air Force pilot, said the company took its location search all over the country, with sites in Texas, Arizona and California the final contenders.
The move will allow the company, which started in 2006 in the Silicon Valley and is currently located in Southern California, to locate its entire production – manufacturing, sales, training, service and corporate headquarters – at one location.
Hawkins said that despite the reputation of California being unfriendly to businesses, Vacaville “made us feel wanted.”
“This community went above and beyond,” he said. He cited the nearby locations of “world-class destinations,” the terrain, nearby lakes, the year-round flying weather and the area’s talent pool as reasons why the company chose Vacaville.
The positive economic impact to the area will be a boon to the city, the county and Solano Community College, which has also been a cornerstone in the efforts to bring the airplane company to Vacaville. A partnership between Icon and the college looks to possible internships, job opportunities for graduates and the creation of specific educational vocational classes and programs for Icon employees.
The company is estimating the creation of 500 local jobs, Hawkins said, with an all-told economic impact estimated to eventually exceed $350 million, citing revenue-generating activities such as local wages paid, local purchases made by Icon, increases in visitor and employee spending, plus sales and property tax revenue.
“This is truly a great day – there is not an appropriate adjective to describe this,” Vacaville Mayor Steve Hardy said.
Reach Susan Winlow at 427-6955 or swinlow@dailyrepublic.net. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/swinlowdr.
Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, caressed the carbon fiber outside and said, “Doesn’t it make you want to say, ‘Can I buy one, Patty?’ ”
The object of everyone’s affections was the new lightweight, compact amphibious sport plane, the Icon A5. The fact that the up-and-coming startup company chose Vacaville as its permanent place to land and begin full-scale production had an enthusiastic crowd of supporters – including state, county and city officials – on their feet with ovations a few times during the hourlong presentation to formally announce the company’s arrival in Vacaville.
Icon Aircraft has leased a 137,940-square-foot building on Beechcraft Road, adjacent to the Nut Tree Airport. The company, which already has more than 1,000 preorders on the $139,000 plane, is looking to roll out its first A5 from the Vacaville warehouse in early 2015.
Icon CEO Kirk Hawkins said the Icon A5 is designed to create an emotional feeling and “reinvent flying,” changing the face of personal aviation by making it more accessible. The airplane’s classification allows pilots to fly it with a sport pilot license that requires about two weeks of training, he said. That training will be supplied at the Icon location to those who purchase an A5.
The two-seater sport plane with foldable wings can land on both water and solid ground and is designed for speeds of 120 mph and a range of up to 300 miles. It burns both auto and aviation fuel.
“I call it human bladder duration,” Hawkins said, joking, about the fuel mileage distance.
It’s been a long time coming. The city began the flirting and wooing process more than three years ago. During that time, Hawkins, a former Air Force pilot, said the company took its location search all over the country, with sites in Texas, Arizona and California the final contenders.
The move will allow the company, which started in 2006 in the Silicon Valley and is currently located in Southern California, to locate its entire production – manufacturing, sales, training, service and corporate headquarters – at one location.
Hawkins said that despite the reputation of California being unfriendly to businesses, Vacaville “made us feel wanted.”
“This community went above and beyond,” he said. He cited the nearby locations of “world-class destinations,” the terrain, nearby lakes, the year-round flying weather and the area’s talent pool as reasons why the company chose Vacaville.
The positive economic impact to the area will be a boon to the city, the county and Solano Community College, which has also been a cornerstone in the efforts to bring the airplane company to Vacaville. A partnership between Icon and the college looks to possible internships, job opportunities for graduates and the creation of specific educational vocational classes and programs for Icon employees.
The company is estimating the creation of 500 local jobs, Hawkins said, with an all-told economic impact estimated to eventually exceed $350 million, citing revenue-generating activities such as local wages paid, local purchases made by Icon, increases in visitor and employee spending, plus sales and property tax revenue.
“This is truly a great day – there is not an appropriate adjective to describe this,” Vacaville Mayor Steve Hardy said.
Reach Susan Winlow at 427-6955 or swinlow@dailyrepublic.net. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/swinlowdr.
ICON formally confirms move to Vacaville
Officials describe it as a perfect fit
Posted: 05/14/2014 08:33:28 PM PDT
The announcement was made Wednesday to uproarious applause during a press conference at the Southern California-based company's soon-to-be headquarters on Beechcraft Drive.
Also applauded — a model of the prototype of the A5, an amphibious light sport aircraft that's generated much excitement and more than 1,000 pre-orders even though it's not yet on the market.
"We spent the last few years looking for our future home and we looked all over the country and in many states," explained Kirk Hawkins, ICON CEO and cofounder. "As of today, ICON, not just in the state of California, but ICON and all its functioning departments, are moving to Vacaville."
ICON's aircraft design, manufacturing, sales, training, service and corporate headquarters are slated to move into its 140,000-square-foot facility near the Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville later this year.
That news has been at least three years in coming.
Back in 2011, Vacaville City Manager Laura Kuhn heard about ICON and that it wanted to relocate. After learning more about the company, she initiated contact and let Hawkins know ICON could be a great fit within the city.
For one thing, Vacaville is home to military veterans, close to Travis Air Force Base and boasts the Nut Tree Airport, which houses the planes of many recreational pilots. Hawkins is a former Air Force F-16 pilot with a determination to build the A5, a luxury recreational "power vehicle."
For another, the gas-powered aircraft can take off and land on water as well as traditional runways, and Vacaville is close to numerous waterways including Lake Berryessa.
The city is also located between major markets — the Bay Area and Sacramento — and the A5's clientele of recreational fliers would have the option of touring everything from San Francisco to the Napa Wine Country to Lake Tahoe and beyond. The plane reportedly can fly for three hours and 300 miles and has a gas mileage of about 20 miles per gallon.
Hawkins and his team soon connected with Kuhn, visiting the city about 20 times in the past few years. Meanwhile, ICON also considered locations in Arizona and Texas.
What turned the tide, Hawkins said, is that Vacaville met or surpassed every need. The city is business friendly, he said, has excellent facilities, is close to world-class destinations, has year-round flying weather and more.
He pledged job opportunities of at least 500 to upward of 1,000, all high-paying, and said the city is destined to become a global destination, with clientele from all over the world.
City officials have long touted the jobs aspect, which means qualified local residents could make a living wage and work closer to home.
Sales-wise, the company comes with a huge order for the planes, which carry a near-$200,000 price tag. Once the manufacturing plant is in place, production is said to take a couple of weeks. The first build is expected to be completed in early 2015.
Last year, the city approved an agreement with ICON including incentives such as sales tax rebates and the sharing of the transient occupancy tax. Aside from tax revenues, the city would benefit from clients staying and recreating locally during the mandatory two-week flight training they must undergo before taking possession of an A5.
Tourism is another potential benefit, with the Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum also set to be built.
And, a partnership with Solano Community College and its aviation program is in the works.
SCC President Jowell Laguerre said the program is being redesigned with ICON in mind, in hopes of creating a labor pipeline for the business and guaranteed careers for graduates.
City spokesman Mark Mazzaferro said officials continue to help ICON through the permitting process.
Hawkins cautioned that there's more to be done.
"We've still got a lot of climbing to do, a whole facility to build," he said, adding that, already, Vacaville feels like home. "We're honored to be part of the community."
For more information on ICON, go online to www.iconaircraft.com.
---
ICON still mum on Vacaville
location
mmurphy@thereporter.com
Posted: 04/25/2014 09:06:34 AM
PDT
ICON Aircraft Inc. continues to hover over an announcement of whether it will land in Vacaville. The company that manufactures small personal aircraft may be holding off on an official announcement but it seems it's only a matter of time before the public is officially informed, quite possibly at an invitation only event scheduled for May 14 on property ICON purchased in October from Solano County for $2.1 million. Vacaville is one of three areas the company has considered for the relocation.
ICON also has informed those
applying for certain jobs posted on its website that "In mid 2015 we will
move into our new Northern California Location," or "The company will
relocate to Vacaville, CA sometime in 2015."
Such tantalizing comments,
coupled with the invitation-only event, has city leaders smiling.
Vacaville Mayor Steve Hardy said
ICON will be "one heck of a catch." "It's a big deal," he
said. "I'm so excited, I hardly have the words for it." "It's at
the top of my list of great things during my tenure," he added.
He pointed to ICON bringing some
500 jobs to the area and its relationship to the Nut Tree Airport, which will
eventually be the home of the Jimmy Doolittle Center/Jimmy Doolittle Air and
Space Museum. There is also potential to partner with Solano Community College
and its aeronautical program. "It's a natural progression of things,"
Hardy said. "We'll be on the world map."
Besides purchasing the property
in Vacaville, ICON has been in talks with the city for nearly three years and
submitted a letter of intent last summer. The Vacaville City Council
subsequently supported continued discussions and negotiations with ICON and its
desire to relocate its sales and assembly division to a parcel adjacent to the
Nut Tree Airport.
ICON was founded in 2005 by Kirk
Hawkins, the company's CEO and a former Air Force F-16 pilot, after the Federal
Aviation Administration changed its regulations and created a "light sport
aircraft" category. Market research revealed an overwhelming demand for
the product, Hawkins said, and together with co-founder Steen Strand, the
prototype for a consumer-focused sport aircraft combining "outstanding
engineering with world-class consumer product design" was born.
The aircraft can take off from
and land on water and traditional runways, seats two, uses automotive fuel,
runs at 20 mpg and has a maximum speed of 120 mph. Its range is three hours and
300 miles and has various safety features including a spin-resistant airframe.
The aircraft can be towed on a vehicle trailer and its wings can be folded by a
single person, without tools, in about five minutes. The price, set in 2008,
was $139,000, but now hovers around $200,000, officials said. An order of 1,000
aircraft is awaiting production. Once started, a plane can be finished in a
matter of weeks.
"Vacaville is our top
choice," Hawkins said in July. "We'll bring hundreds of jobs and
millions of dollars in revenues to the region." The plan is to develop in
two phases. A near-138,000-foot building would be renovated for use as a sales
and delivery facility with Phase 2 consisting of building a $10 million
training facility. Eventually, Hawkins said, the site would be a world-class
destination location, an epicenter of aviation.
Recently, the Solano County Board
of Supervisors quietly approved, as part of its consent calendar for Tuesday's
meeting, a draft agreement between the county and Southern California-based
ICON to allow the company to access the county-owned Nut Tree Airport in
Vacaville.
ICON representatives have
acknowledged that it's been a very competitive process that's lasted for nearly
two years and that Tuesday's approval was a major step for them. Additionally, the supervisors
agreed to provide fueling services to ICON at the airport.
In the long-term, staff reported
that ICON's desire is to develop a water landing area next to the existing
runway and will require planning and environmental review involving the Federal
Aviation Administration in the form of several agreements and reports including
a supplement to the Nut Tree Airport Master Plan and a supplemental
Environmental Impact Report.
A time line included in the staff
report to the board shows that ICON's goal is to complete a plan for assembly
plant improvements in June and July, construction of assembly plant
improvements in from July to December and start operating the assembly plant by
January 2015.
ICON Aircraft Inc. makes move
to land in Solano County
Posted: 04/22/2014 07:12:01 PM PDT
ICON Aircraft Inc. took a "major step," albeit a quiet one, Tuesday to relocate the business to Vacaville. Solano County Supervisors unanimously approved all the consent calendar items during their regular meeting, and tucked away between the 19 items on the agenda was a draft agreement between the county and Southern California-based ICON to allow the company to access the county-owned Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville.
ICON representatives continue to keep their relocation decision close to the vest, but did acknowledge that it's been a very competitive process that's lasted for nearly two years and that Tuesday's approval was a major step for them. Solano County and the city of Vacaville still remain tight-lipped on the issue since Vacaville was on of three locations considered for the move.
ICON is known for its prototype
A5, a two-seater, gas-powered recreational plane that can take off and land on
water, turf or runways. It costs upward of $180,000 and has a waiting list of
buyers. The plane seats two, can travel at a maximum speed of 120 mph, uses
automotive fuel, has retractable landing gear and the cockpit of the plane is
similar to a car.
Owners of the plane need 20 hours
of training to obtain their sport flying license which is half the required
time for other aircraft. The business is considering
making Vacaville a destination for A5 and other aircraft enthusiasts, as flying
lessons could be held at a facility yet to be built near the Nut Tree Airport.
An estimated 500 jobs would be created. Additionally, the supervisors agreed to
provide fueling services to ICON at the airport.
In the long-term, staff reported
that ICON's desire is to develop a water landing area next to the existing
runway and will require planning and environmental review involving the Federal
Aviation Administration in the form of several agreements and reports including
a supplement to the Nut Tree Airport Master Plan and a supplemental
Environmental Impact Report.
Staff noted that the water
landing area and related planning and environmental reviews will be presented
to the board for further consideration and action in the future. A time line included in the staff
report shows that ICON's goal is to complete a plan for assembly plant
improvements in June and July, construction of assembly plant improvements in
from July to December and start operating the assembly plant by January 2015.
http://www.thereporter.com/News/ci_25617499/ICON-Aircraft-Inc-makes-move-to
County approves Icon agreements
April 23, 2014
FAIRFIELD
— Icon Aircraft won approval from Solano County on Tuesday for several
agreements related to a proposed aircraft assembly and production plant next to
the county’s Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville.
Vacaville has been wooing Icon for more than a
year. Icon is looking for a location to build its Icon A5, a two-seat,
amphibious landing aircraft with fold-up wings, a speed of 120 mph and range of
300 miles.
Agreements with the county put Icon on schedule
to start work on an assembly plant in Vacaville by year’s end and to open the
plant in December or January 2015, a county report said. A water landing area
for the amphibious aircraft would come at a later date.
The Solano County Board of Supervisors unanimously
approved the agreements for the Icon project. The county will allow Icon to
have direct access to the airport from adjacent property, to construct a
taxiway between the proposed assembly plant and the runway, to buy fuel from
the county and to negotiate with the county on creating a water landing area.
For all of that, Icon has yet to announce it is
moving from Southern California to Vacaville.
“Not formally,” Icon Director of Real Estate
Mark Heavey said after the meeting, adding that the company first needed to
formalize agreements with the county. When asked if Icon is coming to
Vacaville, Heavey laughed. “This is a big step,” he said. “The formal
announcement I would think is shortly coming.”
County supervisors passed the Icon agreement
without a word. They did so as part of their consent calendar, which allows
them to pass a group of items deemed noncontroversial at one time. “I think
this begins to solidify the fact they’re going to be here,” Supervisor John
Vasquez said after the meeting. “This is a big first step.”
Icon officials for months have said that
Vacaville is the front-runner to become the site of their offices and assembly
and production plant. They’ve also mentioned Arizona and Texas as possible
locations. The agreement with the county says that Icon plans to manufacture
and assemble aircraft within an existing building near the Nut Tree Airport. It
would have sales, flight training, maintenance, storage and office areas in a
building to be constructed.
Reach Barry Eberling at 427-6929 or
beberling@dailyrepublic.net. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/beberlingdr.
ICON one step closer
By Kimberly K. Fu/
KFu@TheReporter.comPosted: 12/21/2013 01:01:04 AM PST
An unexpected Christmas gift just
landed in Vacaville's lap -- another hurdle cleared for a light sport aircraft
company hoping to relocate to the city from Southern California.
"We
got through another critical step," said City Councilman Ron Rowlett on
Friday. "We're closer than we've ever been."
ICON
Aircraft has developed a prototype A5, a two-seater, gas powered recreational
plane that can take off and land on water, turf or runways. It costs upwards of
$180,000 and has a waiting list of buyers.
In talks
for several years with city officials, ICON leaders have made it clear that Vacaville,
which is in the running with Arizona and Texas for relocation, is where ICON
wants to be. Reasons cited include existing resources, including several bodies
of water, its location along the Interstate 80 corridor and the support of the
city. In return, the business plans to make Vacaville a destination for A5 and
other aircraft enthusiasts, as A5 flying lessons would be held in town at a
facility yet to be built near the Nut Tree Airport. An estimated 500 jobs would
also be opened.
In recent
months, the city approved a final agreement with ICON including tax incentives
such as sales tax rebates and the sharing of the transient occupancy tax. City
officials previously emphasized that there's no risk on the city's part.
This
week, Assemblyman Jim Frazier, D-Solano, informed Rowlett of progress with
ICON. "They had to go through a Cal-OSHA panel that sends information to
the Cal-OSHA board," the councilman explained. "They have some kind
of paint booth that needed approval."
Approval
granted. "It doesn't seem big, but it is," Rowlett said.
There's
no doubt that the city wants ICON here, he said, and officials continue to do
everything possible to let ICON know that. Frazier's help, he continued, has
been invaluable.
There's
still more steps that must be taken, but Rowlett remains confident that
Vacaville is the most viable home for ICON. According to an ICON newsletter,
the company's engineering team is preparing to kick off assembly "of the
first of the production prototype aircraft."
Editorial: ICON could kick-start economic revival in Vacaville
Published by The ReporterPosted: 09/29/2013 01:02:05 AM PDT
Vacaville City Council members didn't hesitate Tuesday
night, unanimously signing off on an agreement to share future tax revenue with
ICON Aircraft in exchange for the Los Angeles-based company relocating to the
industrial park on the back side of Nut Tree Airport.
Council members might be forgiven
for not asking a single question about the deal. This was, after all, the
culmination of more than two years of wooing ICON here. If council members
weren't personally involved, they certainly were kept up to date on what was
being considered.
But members of the public who
haven't been following every twist and turn of negotiations might be wondering
what the city is giving up, why it is doing so and what it expects to receive
in return. Let's start with the why: Bringing ICON Aircraft to Vacaville could
be a boon to the city, the county and the entire state.
ICON is a start-up company that
is preparing to enter the light sport aircraft market that opened up in 2004
after the FAA adopted a new category of licensing for recreational pilots.
Sport pilots are allowed to fly only during the day, in good weather and in
uncontrolled airspace. The aircraft they are allowed to operate must be
smaller, slower and less complicated than a regular airplane.
Enter ICON's A5, a completely
portable two-seater that runs on gasoline and which can take off and land on
water, turf or runways. It takes only two weeks to earn the license to fly it
and even though it's pricey -- currently about $180,000 each -- potential
customers are already lined up. ICON is looking not only for space to build and
sell its product, but also a place where it can teach customers how to fly it.
Almost three years ago, the
company began a national search for just the right place. In California, the
Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) put out the
word, which reached the ears of Sandy Person, director of the Solano Economic
Development Corp., who brought it to Vacaville's attention. That started the
courtship.
Ultimately, ICON identified an
industrial building on Beechcraft Road as one of its top three sites. The other
two are in Arizona and Texas, both of which may have an advantage over
Vacaville when it comes to the costs of starting businesses there. That's one
reason the city feels the need to sweeten the deal by offering ICON incentives
to come here.
The other reason is that a
business like ICON is a gift that keeps on giving. A company whose product
sells for the price of a modest home generates a lot of sales and property taxes.
But that's not all. ICON's business plan calls for it to employ as many as 500
people, who would be paid much better than minimum wage. Those employees are
likely to live and shop in Vacaville, generating more tax revenue for the city,
the county and the state.
As a start-up, ICON will be in
the market for raw materials, which could encourage even more new businesses to
form to supply them. Those businesses, in turn, would hire more workers and
generate more tax revenue.
In addition, as a training site,
ICON will need access to hotels and restaurants to house and feed clients --
again, creating more jobs and tax revenue. Added together, ICON could generate
up to 850 jobs and add $364.5 million for the region's economy, of which
Vacaville stands to reap $1 million in new taxes, according to an economic
impact report by economist Robert Eyler.
A few years ago, before the state
disbanded redevelopment agencies, Vacaville might have been able to offer ICON
a rebate on its property taxes to come here, as it did for Genentech. But, as
City Manager Laura Kuhn told the council on Tuesday, "In a
post-redevelopment world, we have to be very creative."
To her credit, City Manager Kuhn
has creatively negotiated a deal that won't cost the city a dime if ICON fails
as a business. If it succeeds, however, the company stands to be rebated a
portion of the sales tax it generates. During the first two years, ICON's share
of that rebate is 50 percent. In years 3 through 10, the rebate ranges from 30
percent to 75 percent, depending on the number of people ICON employs at an
annual salary of $40,000 or more.
In addition, for every hotel room
booked by ICON, the city will split with the company the Transient Occupancy
Tax it collects on those transactions. The city should be able to afford the
rebates, Ms. Kuhn says, because if ICON is successful, the tax revenue from the
additional business it will generate throughout the city will cover the cost of
providing city services to it.
Vacaville isn't the only public
entity that stands to gain from bringing ICON here. For more than two decades,
the city and Solano County have recognized that Nut Tree Airport is an
underused asset. ICON's presence there would change that in a hurry.
Solano Community College's
aviation program at the airport also stands to gain. Not only might its
graduates find work at ICON, but the college is prepared to offer training for
ICON employees. And if ICON chooses Vacaville, California stands to gain some
much-needed bragging rights over Texas. It's not a done deal yet, but Vacaville
has done what it needed to do to bring a new major employer to the area. Here's
hoping it's enough.
Vacaville council approves agreement with
aircraft maker ICON
September 25, 2013
VACAVILLE — The city of Vacaville has done everything it can now
to woo light aircraft maker ICON. With a 5-0 voice vote, the city council
approved an agreement with ICON that would provide the company with tax
incentives if it chooses to build its offices and manufacturing facility at the
Nut Tree Airport. City manager Laura Kuhn outlined the agreement she hammered
out with ICON representatives, which puts the city in a position of near-zero
risk.
Part of that agreement involves a sales and transient occupancy
tax deal with ICON tied to the number of jobs generated at the facility, which
will be used to build the company’s A5 sport light aircraft. Kuhn said the
10-year agreement calls for a rebate on sales tax generated by ICON up to 50
percent for the first two years as an incentive for ICON to get the facility up
and running. After the two years, the rebate is tied to jobs with salaries
averaging $40,000 per year
Up to 75 percent of the sales tax could be rebated, after the city
receives its sales tax revenues from the state, if 500 full-time equivalent
jobs are achieved. If job generation is less, the rebate is reduced. The
evaluation of jobs and rebate payments would be quarterly as the city receives
its sales tax reports.
On the TOT, or hotel taxes, the city would also refund 50 percent
of the ICON-generated TOT taxes, using a special promotion code to track the
money generated by the manufacturer’s customers and business associates. The
agreement is for 10 years and is automatically renewed for another decade if
the 500 jobs are achieved. Kuhn and the council called the agreement a
milestone. “In a post-redevelopment world, we have to be really creative,” Kuhn
said. The council lauded Kuhn for her negotiating skills and her efforts to see
the project through.
“These kinds of things don’t happen without collaboration,” said
council man Curtis Hunt. There’s more work to be done, but the city is ready if
ICON chooses Vacaville as its new home.
“The next step is we’ve got to work with the county, and get to an
agreement with the county and then we’ve got some approvals to work through
with local landowners and the (Federal Aviation Administration),” said Kirk
Hawkins, ICON founder and CEO. “A few more hurdles to get through, but this was
a big one.” There’s no definite timeline, for a decision.
“We expect in the next several months to have a decision, to be
able to make a public announcement at some point, which way that is,” Hawkins
said. “While we’re not ready to celebrate just yet, we’ll celebrate this
milestone.”
Vacaville Wooing Aircraft Manufacturer With Incentives In Exchange For
Jobs
September 25, 2013 12:19 AM
VACAVILLE (CBS13) — An
aircraft manufacturer has an ambitious plan that might just fly and could bring
hundreds of new jobs to Vacaville. City leaders are trying to recruit Icon
Aircraft by offering big incentives for the company to land in Vacaville.
“I think this is a win for
our city as a whole for our residents to get future jobs, and for our business owners
to get benefits from their customers being here in town,” said City Manager
Laura Kuhn.
The company’s $200,000
light-sport aircraft could soon be bringing big business to the city. “I’ll
tell you that Vacaville has surprised us,” said Icon Aircraft CEO Kirk Hawkins.
The company wants to build a new facility to manufacture planes. It says it has
1,000 on backorder and would need to hire up to 500 people to meet demand.
But what makes Vacaville so
attractive? “The first thing that Vacaville has done is been very proactive and
demonstrate that they actually want the business,” Hawkins said. “Don’t just
talk about it, go do something about it.” The City Council is considering an
economic incentive package that would give Icon up to 75 percent of the local
sales tax on each plane sold, and half of the city’s portion of the hotel tax
generated by Icon customers and employees.
Existing businesses like
Merchant and Main Bar and Grill believe this could lead to more customers and
give a big boost to the local economy. “We welcome them. It would be great not
just for them, not just for Vacaville, but for every small business if they
can bring in more revenue for everyone in general,” said Miguel Vasquez.
And Vacaville says the
sales-tax giveaway will be more than made up for by a soaring economic future.
“They’ll buy gas here, they’re going to go to restaurants, they’re going to
shop, so all those things are good for local businesses,” said
Kuhn. Icon is also looking at cities in Arizona and Texas. It hopes to make a
decision in the next few months.
Vacaville competing to lure aircraft maker
ICON makes A5 sport aircraftUPDATED 7:55 PM PDT Aug 01, 2013
Read more: http://www.kcra.com/news/vacaville-competing-to-lure-aircraft-maker/21299994#ixzz2yPC5oGJ9
VACAVILLE, Calif. (KCRA) —ICON, a company that makes a recreational
plane with a cult following, may move to Vacaville -- if that city can fight
off competition from two other states also aggressively pursuing the company.
ICON’s CEO, Kirk Hawkins, estimates that production of the plane would
create between 300 to 1,000 jobs, depending on future sales. Hawkins told KCRA
3 on Thursday that the company has 1,000 deposits from customers at a base
price of $189,000.
“The vehicle’s been designed for anyone who’s ever dreamed of flying and
has any aspiration of adventure, fun and freedom on a personal level,” Hawkins
said. ICON’s plane, the A5, is a futuristic-looking sport aircraft that can
land on, and take off from, water. Tentative plans in Vacaville include a
man-made lake at the Nut Tree Airport. But, Hawkins said other locations also
have appeal.
“The reason we haven't decided yet is quite frankly, Arizona and Texas
are far more aggressive economically, and the deals they've offered us are
better," Hawkins said.
He said he is working with Vacaville city leaders on economic incentives
that might “level the playing field” between that city and those in Arizona and
Texas. Hawkins said ICON will likely move its headquarters, now in Tehachapi,
to the site it chooses for production, meaning Vacaville has a chance at
becoming an overall home for ICON.
“We really want them to come here," said Mark Mazzaferro, a
spokesman for the city of Vacaville. “We've told them [that] from the day they
come in and pull permits to the day they operate, it would take probably right
around six months if not sooner, and that's pretty quick for an operation this
size."
There are several things about Vacaville that appeal to ICON, Hawkins
said. “The flight-training weather in that area is great,” Hawkins said. “So,
year-round flight training is part of that decision, and frankly, the flying
experience in that area will be phenomenal."
Also, ICON began in Silicon Valley. Many of the company’s customers are
in Northern California, and members of its executive team live in California,
Hawkins said. It will be two months before company executives make a decision
on where to locate, Hawkins said.
Read more: http://www.kcra.com/news/vacaville-competing-to-lure-aircraft-maker/21299994#ixzz2yPCMBumv
ICON
Aircraft Looking at Vacaville, CA for Manufacturing Facility
Jul 08, 2013 Economic
Development Blog
Los Angeles, California-based ICON Aircraft has filed a letter of intent with the City of Vacaville, CA for setting up a facility next to Nut Tree Airport for manufacturing its light sport aircraft (LSA).
ICON was launched in 2005 by Kirk Hawkins after the FAA created a new LSA category in 2004 that had significantly reduced regulatory burdens for both LSA manufacturers and users.
ICON’s introductory LSA model – the long-awaited amphibious ICON A5, has retractable landing gear, uses automotive fuel, can land and take-off on water as well as on runways, and can fly at a maximum speed of 120 mph.
From the cockpit, it looks more like a car for two, and has been designed and priced to make it easier for new people to take up flying in their own plane. Pilots need to log only 20 hours of flight time to get the LSA license, which is half the time needed for other aircraft.
ICON’s A5 has been under development longer than expected, but the company still has a long and loyal list of almost 1,000 customers who have paid deposits and are eagerly waiting to get their own sport aircraft.
Until now, ICON has based its operations entirely in Southern California. Apart from the administrative headquarters in Los Angeles, Icon also has development, testing and manufacturing teams in a facility in Tehachapi, CA.
The proposed move to the existing 137,940-square-foot building at 2141 Beechcraft Road in Vacaville would take them a long way over to Northern California, in between San Francisco and Sacramento.
ICON’s latest outreach to Vacaville officials for support and incentives was preceded by the company raising $60 million in May 2013 as part of its fourth and final equity funding round.
The company said it would use the new funding to complete preparations for production, regulatory compliance and boost R&D for adding new aircraft models.
If they go ahead with the proposal, Vacaville stands to gain millions of these dollars in investments and new sales, property and personal taxes, and up to 500 new general aviation manufacturing and sales jobs. Not to mention spending by ICON’s customers who will stay in the city when they come for buying a plane and getting training.
ICON first started looking at sites for relocation in 2010. Vacaville has been pursuing this project since 2011 in partnership with Nut Tree Airport management and other local organizations including Solano Community College, the Solano Economic Development Corporation and Solano County officials.
The Vacaville City Council will be meeting on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 where it will consider a resolution authorizing city manager Laura C. Kuhn to execute the non-binding letter of intent with ICON Aircraft Inc.
Apart from exemptions of a percentage of sales tax based on job creation and average wage commitments by ICON, the letter of intent also seeks about $250,000 as a loan for the permitting process, to be paid back from future sales associated with the project.
ICON is also asking for renaming of streets in the area and fast-tracking of all the permits required for site improvements and construction.
Solano Community College may enter into a partnership with ICON wherein it provides training for ICON employees under its Aeronautics Program, and may even expand its curriculum to match ICON’s needs.
The letter of intent states that the City and ICON will attempt to come to an agreement within 60 days, and hope to submit an actual agreement for the City Council’s approval on Aug 13, 2013.
Solano creates ‘environment to nurture
newcomers’
More than 300 hear about Caymus plans for winery
By Gary Quackenbush, Special to
the Business Journal, February 10, 2014FAIRFIELD — The 31st annual meeting of the Solano Economic Development Corporation showcased significant public-private sector accomplishments in the county’s seven cities during 2013. Chairperson Patsy Van Ouwerkerk welcomed members and guests and announced that she would be retiring in August from both the EDC and as Travis Credit Union’s chief executive officer. Her successor for both positions will be Barry Nelson, executive vice president for the credit union.
The luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfield attracted over 300 business executives, community leaders and public officials eager to hear a status report from Sandy Person, president of the EDC. “Team Solano worked together to make everything happen by attracting new businesses and creating an environment to nurture newcomers and those already here,” Ms. Person said.
Travis Air Force Base
With the goal of diversifying the Solano economy, a comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of Travis AFB on the region’s infrastructure is being made to see how Solano and its cities can grow their economies around the base. This study, to be released in June, will also update land use plans to protect Travis AFB, the county’s largest economic engine.
Boost from wine
“Clearly, Solano is benefitting from both the wine industry’s strength as well as from the greater economy’s recovery,” Ms. Person said. Caymus Vineyards, based in Rutherford with operations in four North Bay counties, is expanding to Solano with the purchase of the Hopkins Ranch on Cordelia Road.
Caymus will build a 132,000-square-foot winery along with a barrel cellar and casegoods warehouse, along with a 25,000 square foot canopy for processing grapes and a 32,000 square foot mechanical systems building. There are plans to double barrel and casegoods storage.
Approximately 150 stainless-steel wine fermentation and storage tanks at this site will have capacity for 6 million gallons. Chuck Wagner, president of Caymus, was the guest speaker at the luncheon. He provided a brief history of his family’s three generations in winemaking and an overview of his plans to grow wine grapes in Solano. “We have lots of ideas, but it’s too early to tell which varietal Solano will become known for,” he said. “The dry soil here is ideal for dark reds.”
Benicia
Ms. Person said the city of Benicia was honored by AAA’s Via magazine in its November–December 2013 issue as one of the 50 safest cities in California by SafeWise Security Systems. The city continues to expand its tourism brand with the launch of its economic development site BeniciaBusiness.com. Ten Benicia businesses are poised to save $140,000 in energy costs this year through the Business Resource Incentive Program that provides firms in the Benicia Industrial Park with grants and loans to make energy-saving improvements.
Dixon
A new 60-unit affordable housing complex in the city of Dixon, called Heritage Commons, was completed. Ground was also broken for the construction of the West B Street pedestrian and bicycle underground crossing.
Fairfield
A 318,000-square-foot Solano Logistics Center was built on Cordelia Road for wine bottle supplier Encore Glass Company. Two other buildings, totaling 650,000 square feet, are set to be built and leased by Saxco International — another bottling industry leader.
The Fairfield auto and RV industry is growing with car sales up 32 percent over last year. New firms in this category include CarMax; a Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealership, and travel trailer icon Airstream, opening a 100,000-square-foot showroom on Cordelia Road. Fairfield’s industrial vacancy rate is down to 4.5 percent, as of the fourth quarter, spurred by the arrival of an H&M store at the Solano Town Center regional mall and the headquarters relocations for both Heretic Brewing Company and ST Johnson to this city.
By June, the $89.3 million expansion of the Stanton Correctional Facility in Fairfield should be completed adding 362 beds and 127,000 square feet of new space. Some $62 million of the total is from state AB 900 funds. Pending a state award of $23 million of SB 1022 funds, construction could begin on a new inmate-training center on Clay Bank Road in Fairfield with a completion cost of $25 million.
Suisun City
A train depot improvement project has been launched in Suisun City, using $700,000 in transportation grant funding, to increase the viability and use of this historic commuter rail connection as a hub for connections to local buses and community amenities. This project is part of both the city’s General Plan and Downtown Specific Plan updates for the Priority Development Area surrounding the transit center — expected to support 1,040 residential units and 920 jobs during the next 26 years. Construction of a Wal-Mart Supercenter will begin in 2014 on Walters Road bringing hundreds of new jobs and a new source of sales tax revenue.
Vacaville
Janssen Biotech, Inc. is adding a new product line to its facility, creating over 50 new jobs.
Genentech is activating its cell-culture plant 2, adding more than 200 new positions at what is largest biotech manufacturing facility in the world.
Escrow has closed on land for the Jimmy Doolittle Learning Center and its aeronautics program as new and emerging aviation opportunities move into Vacaville and the Nut Tree Airport.
ICON Aircraft, manufacturer of small sport airplanes, is considering making Vacaville its new global headquarters, in late 2014 or early 2015, complete with a global aviation center for aircraft assembly, sales, customer delivery and flight training.
This pending ICON facility could eventually employ 500 people and generate over $100 million in economic impact, according to Ms. Person. In addition, she said nine new tenants also have been acquired at the Nut Tree Center.
Vallejo
Green innovative homebuilder Blu Homes recently announced plans to relocate its headquarters to Mare Island and is expanding its operations there with the lease of another 117,000 square feet. It opened in 2011 in Bldg. 680 on the island with a lease from Lennar Mare Island of 250,000 square feet.
The company is closing its Ann Arbor, Mich., facility and moving those operations and many of its 38 employees to Vallejo, bringing its labor force to 130.
The Solano Community College upgraded its Vallejo campus by adding parking lot solar panels and a 40,000 square foot expansion that includes a new library, student services center, café, along with safety and security measures.
The California Maritime Academy celebrated a grand opening of its 26,000 square foot dining center and rental space. Construction is also ongoing for a new $26.5 million physical education and aquatic center.
Touro University’s library received a $2.5 million upgrade, including a renovated pharmacy training center and a $10,000 electric car charging station.
Avery Green Honda is increasing the size of its showroom to 3,200 square feet, and Momentum Dodge Chrysler Jeep has added a new dealership location on Admiral Callaghan Lane with the firm’s Sonoma Blvd. site serving as its used car sales location.
Rio Vista
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service propose to develop an Estuarine Research Center and Fish Technology Center on 15–17 acres of city of Rio Vista land (a former Army base site) along the Sacramento River.
This project has potential for creating 160 jobs along with generating a proposed $76 million of federal and state investments.
The city also has proposed an extension of the Bridge to Beach multi-use pathway, a visitor interpretation center and supporting commercial uses on the remaining 10 acres at this site.
A $3 million federally-funded EIR/EIS and design process has been initiated by DWR and the California General Services Administration under contract with Horizon Water and Environment, LLC. After a three-year EIR/EIS and design process, construction could begin in 2017–2018.
Some $161,000 of federal funds has been provided for Rio Vista’s new specific downtown plan. A $450,000 Federal Boating Infrastructure Grant (FBIG) has been received to construct Phase 2 of the Waterfront Promenade Trail.
In addition, the city awarded a $225,000 FBIG grant to rebuild the Main Street Boat Dock and $300,000 of state boating funds to design a new downtown boat ramp and parking facilities.
In May 2013 Riovision, a community based group, applied for support from the Regional/Urban Design Assistance Program (R/UDAT) of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
The goal is to create a more viable business environment, revitalize the waterfront, connect old and new housing stock and adapt as Highway 12 changes over time. In February 2014 the R/UDAT team will come to Rio Vista for a town meeting and to develop this plan.
“These are only a few of the completed, in-progress or proposed projects in Solano County. I’m seeing lots of energy and growth in the private and public sectors. It’s very exciting,” Ms. Person said. “There’s more on the way.”