The newest SLSA on our List is a weight-shift control aircraft from Evolution Trikes, the folks who put the trike world on a pedestal with their remarkably deluxe and superbly finished Revo (see our Video Pilot Report of Revo and Part 2).
Following that BMW of trikes (Revo) Evolution released Rev, a Part 103-capable single seat trike.
A year ago, the company debuted a new model, called Revolt.
In less than a year, this model went from pre-flying debut to a fully ASTM-compliant aircraft.
Evolution, lead by Larry Mednick, started ASTM work in June 2017. Testing was completed by December 15, 2017 and they felt ready for an FAA inspector but it took time to arrange a visit from an agency.
In the case of any new model, FAA in Washington, DC can choose to require an official, full-blown audit, meaning three or four full days’ work by three or four FAA staffers.
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Evolution Trikes — Revo VPR (Part 1 – in flight)
Come on along as we fly the most deluxe trike you can buy. This is the Evolution Trikes Revo and it is really something. Aloft with designer and trike pilot extraordinare, Larry Mednick, he offers instruction — as we prefer so you experience what it might be like to fly an aircraft you may never have flown. “Trike” is a generic abbreviation for weight shift aircraft. This one is a Special LSA version and it can blaze along faster than 100 mph. Don’t believe that? Join us as we prove the point. TRT: 29 minutes (Part 1 of 2)
Evolution Trikes — Revo VPR (Part 2 – details)
In this somewhat shorter video, Part 2 of 2 for our Evolution Trikes Revo Video Pilot Report (VPR), Dan shows you many of the well-considered details for their most deluxe trike. Evolution also makes a far lower cost, simpler trike called Rev (video also available here on ByDanJohnson.com). Besides Dan’s comment we bring in developer Larry Mednick to explain Revo’s very sophisticated in-flight pitch trim. We also review costs and various ways you can buy Revo. TRT: 16 minutes
Evolution Trikes — Revo (2013)
We have looked at the Revo trike before and I’ve come to love this handsome hotrod weight shift LSA. Yet developer Larry Mednick keeps on changing this aircraft, so much so that we have to keep taking another look. At Sebring 2013, we spoke with Larry to hear about the newest refinements to this deluxe rig that may be the most evolved trike in the world (not to say some others aren’t great, but few update and upgrade as often as Evolution).
Evolution Trikes — Revo
Among many of the world’s deluxe trikes, Evolution Trikes’ Revo rises to the top of the stack. The all-American-made hot rod is loaded with custom-designed features that should attract the closest examination. Revo also performs like a winner with blazing top speed yet reassuring landing approach speeds. The sophisticated carriage handles rough fields with ease.
VIDEO — Video Pilot Report: Evolution Revo
Sometimes I am pretty darn sure I may have the best job in the world, or at least one of the best jobs. Other times, it seems like work, as does any job. However, when it’s good, it can be ecstatically great, no question about it. One time I know this is the case is when I get to go aloft in a truly great flying machine with an excellent instructor or demo pilot to explain their aircraft and show me how to optimize the machine.
Such was the situation when I got to fly the Evolution Trikes Revo with Larry Mednick at the Arizona Copperstate show in October 2015. We hadn’t been to this event for some time and mid-fall in Casa Grande demonstrated why they hold it then.
I grew up in the desert and to this day, I find that landscape beautiful. I love green trees covering granite mountains, or ocean views, but the Arizona desert is simply stunning to my eyes.
The Other LSA Revolution (Except Not SLSA)
Wings that go around in circles enjoy their own special niche in American Light-Sport aviation. Yankees can buy ultralight helicopters — including the Mosquito that can fit into Part 103, which is amazing in itself — and Americans can buy kit-built gyrocopters or gyroplanes (the terms are used interchangeably). The good news is Americans do indeed buy and build; AutoGyro USA sold some 30 examples in the last couple years. However, due to an apparent (and somewhat mysterious) intraagency dispute, fully built Special LSA gyroplanes were never allowed by FAA. Some say it was a turf war between the Small Aircraft Directorate and the Rotorcraft Directorate; though others disagree this was the problem. Whatever the explanation, no ready-to-fly LSA gyros are available in the USA despite years of effort by ASTM committee members, which has a standard ready. This is a shame as I rediscovered for myself on a flight at Sebring.
The Evolution of Revolution
Like other start-up success stories, this tale has
a familiar beginning.
“It all started with two guys, Abid Farooqui and
Larry Mednick,” begins the history lesson. The two
started flying trikes a decade ago after discovering
they preferred weight-shift control to conventional
aircraft where each had started.
They didn’t start out as partners.Farooqui wanted
to run a flight school and Mednick, who’d given up
freestyle jet skiing and street bike riding, just wanted
to fly trikes.
Giving instruction hour after hour to a variety of
students, Farooqui began to discover limitations in
the trikes he could buy for his school. Mednick was
finding something similar himself. They loved their
trikes, but they could envision a machine that would
better serve their interests.
Their learning experiences left each of them upside-
down hanging by their seatbelts after a mishap
that slowly but surely shaped the design that was
evolving in their minds.
All-American Revo Sets New Standard
Behold the Revo, a new benchmark in weight-shift trike design.
Look carefully and you’ll see the Revo is not like any weightshift
light-sport aircraft you’ve seen before. The Revo had to
surpass impressive work by larger, more established companies to leap
to the forefront. Any way you look at it, the Revo is simply extraordinary.
I’ve been lucky to fly many trikes over the years. Every few years, one
of the leading producers would make a remarkable step forward in the
design of these flying machines with changes that tended to be evolutionary,
not revolutionary. Among them, I cannot recall a clean sheet of
both carriage and wing debuted as a single aircraft.
Welcome to Revo from Evolution Trikes, an all-new, blazingly fast
American trike like none before it.
The more I examined the Revo and then flew with Larry Mednick of
Evolution (and Tampabay Aerosports), I realized even Air Création’s
beautiful Tanarg trike had been done one better.
ZAP! Goes the Revolution
I have seen the future and it is electric. Lots more to say about this than I have time, space or energy here, after my first day at Oshkosh, but this much is clear: electric flight is a reality, just as the Wright Brother’s Flyer made heavier-than-air flight a reality. *** I spent an hour talking with the Yuneec E-430 people. *** FACTOIDS: *** * Made in China *** * The company just built a new 250,000 sq. ft. factory. That’s right: 1/4 MILLION square feet! *** * Company has initial plans to produce 6 different electric flying craft: ultralights, trikes, powered parachutes, hang gliders…and the sleek, beautiful, 45-foot wingspan E-430 (above) that went from light bulb idea to flying prototype in 4 months! *** * Getting FAA to amend LSA reg to admit electric power will take some doing. But you can’t stop a flood tide. *** Also saw Flight Design’s Tom Peghiny wow the crowds in the waning light at the Ultralight flying area with his E-Spyder, also powered by a Yuneec prototype electric propulsion system.
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