heldering

Its a 912ULS 100Hp, rocker covers painted red. No question that after flying a 582 Airborne Wizard for 5 years, then a 912 Airborne Streak 3 for another 6 years the Revo is quite different. But in a positive way. The 100Hp is a superb engine, very very smooth, quieter than the 80HP and with noticeably more power. I tend to takeoff at about 4900 rpm one up and climb at 1050 fpm. After takeoff I tend to use the throttle setting on the dash for straight and level flight. The Enigma screen 2 has a glide slope and a large indicator to focus on climb/descent rate. Because of the electric trim the rpm will vary depending on the AOA i.e. faster or slower but I'm finding about 3800 rpm at slower speeds 60-65 knots is the norm. At 80 knots it can increase rpm to 4400. I love the 2 bladed prop and the foot throttle has posed no problem for me. Bear in mind you have significant movement possible to set the foot throttle based on your particular needs along the CNC rail its mounted on. After my first 16 hrs there is no doubt in my mind the Revo is a next generation microlight, love being able to stand anywhere on the pod, more passenger room too.

Now all settled in, my Revo is wonderful to fly and I'm learning all the tricks of the Enigma colour display. About 17 hrs up so far. Have installed a nice Drift HD170 video camera and patched in the audio to record all intercom and radio traffic. Happy to show you when/if you're in Moruya same time as me.

Scott, I've got my new Revo the second in Australia just arrived in Melbourne and will get to take delivery at the end of the month from LaTrobe Valley Airfield as I'm overseas next week. A project very dear to my heart is to design and have built an enclosed trailer that will take my Revo with wing attached but folded (its a strutted wing no King Post) and dropped onto a dolly to reduce height. The goal is to have rapid assembly and takedown without the physical labour of having to take the wing off and de-rig. The trailer will need to be about 20-22 feet long plus a 3 ft V nose, 6ft 6in high interior and width as close to the 2.5 metre max allowed for at least 2 metre internal width. The mobile hangar/trailer will be towed behind a motorhome to add another dimension to a trip around Australia. Design aim is to incorporate a 120 litre fuel tank, space for small motorcycle, airbag suspension, custom designed wing supports. Initial research shows Australia manufacturing prices in aluminium are $30k plus. USA build option around $12k including freight to Australia as option of including new Revo inside reduces freight costs. I'm interested in Monopan, can you advise distributor and person to get some advice re this material please? Cheers Herman

Just a few clarifications to some earlier questions in this thread. LSA designation, which is highly regarded by regulatory authorities around the world is not restricted to 450KG Maximum Takeoff Weight and in fact allows the Revo at 482KG MTOW. There was a question regarding uncertainty about the strength of the curved mast versus the straight mast, the curved is actually considerably stronger as a consequence of its 4130 chromium molybdemun contruction. Another question concerned carrying items for cross-country trips and I understand that panniers to enable this will be available in a matter of months. From my research the usable weight is around 257KG and the weight allowance per seat is some 113KG compared to the Airborne XT 100KG. Hope that clarifies the questions above.

Yep, Reflex 12 Sport top speed 80 knots with 100HP Rotax engine, MGL Enigma display with MGL V10 radio, 75 litre fuel tank, flame red colour hopefully it will arrive about end of March. Cheers

It really needs to be a balance of considerations, price/speed/handling/flexibility/inherent strength. Where the Revo, (apparently because mine is on the way and will be based at Moruya but I have not yet flown it!) sets a raft of new standards is the modern approach to suspension, massive 40 knots plus speed range with electric trim (versus about 5 with the Airborne trim wheel) so you can fly fast or slow, electronics integration ie aircraft tefzel wiring, multiple circuit breakers, Enigma colour glass display with interfaced MGL radio allowing radio frequency slaving to any destination on the Enigma, and a list of options such as 100Hp Rotax engine allowing customisation. Then there is the very strong (stand on it) carbon fibre base, more roomy passenger seat, full 3 wheel hydraulic disk brakes with real aircraft tyres and after carefully considering a new Airborne 912 I came to the conclusion that the Revo was higher performance, better value and offered a longer lifespan due, in my opinion, to higher engineering standards. The real clincher was the Australian dollar parity which currently makes the Revo even more attractive. I have great respect for Airborne, having purchased two trikes over 10 years, but they need to commit to modernising their trikes and innovating where that is possible or risk losing some of their market competitiveness. My black XT912 is for sale and details are in the RAA magazine.

Ouch! I'm a stickler for inspecting every passenger and making absolutely sure nothing is unrestrained, always have neck or wrist straps spares in my pilot bag. Props are too expensive and necessary for good blood pressure. The Flying Dutchman

My first post to this site. Great to see a fraternity of flying people exchanging information. I'm a Trike pilot flying the Airborne XT912 with Steak 3 wing, the first ever black model (no 73) made in 2005. Before that I had an Airborne 582 with Wizard wing purchased in 1999 as I was completing my trike flying training with Paul Haines. So this year marks my 10th flying anniversary! Moruya airport is my flying base, though I live in Canberra and have a holiday beachhouse at Potato Point about 30 minutes from the airport. A big boohoo is directed at the local Eurobodalla council who charge the same hanagarage fees for a Trike taking half the space of a normal aircraft. Even after pointing it out they seem incapable of understanding the facts. The south coast is a magnificent flying area, very little traffic, scenic sights over beaches, seascapes and mountains. I'm very keen in semi-retirement to look for fly aways to trike friendly locations, particularly the NSW coast north of Newcastle. Cheers Gary The Flying Dutchman