Do we buy a Savvanah or not and other debates

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Also considering complimenting my trike with Savannah. Would be going for Kit 2.

Does anyone know if they will exhibit at EAA?

Am hoping they have a demo machine there as well. Don't think there is a flying Oribi in country as yet. All Sav's. Been trying for 6 months to find a gap to shoot down to Slummies to go test fly it, but every time I thing it going to happen real life gets in the way....

[GR8-DAD]

I once had a serious look at the Cubby - good price, good specs etc. Thing that bothered me though was flying from the rear seat and using binocs to see instruments - gave new meaning to VFR . Also me big beautiful muscular 100 kgs bod was very tight fit for front seat

I have heard they are working hard at a side-by-side seater for 2006

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Most of the cubs fly from back seat. A C of G thing. Only the super cub and wag replica's fly from front. If pax is big viz is K@K. Nothing nicer than flying with the door off at sunset. I think I gonna keep it and move it to the dam to fly with Demon on Flydays... It simple, cheap and easyish to fly..... Product support is a bit , but nice aerie... Biggest factor was Price. Now getting expensive and competition is stiff. When they were fisrt released the price was R120K fly away.

Side by side it no longer a cub replica and simply becomes another 2 seat aerie... Will loose all they tried to create with it. Feel same way about the tri (sic) Cubby. WTF were they thinking? Ungliest thing I have seen in a while....

2c

[GR8-DAD]

Feel same way about the tri (sic) Cubby. WTF were they thinking? Ungliest thing I have seen in a while....

2c

got my full vote on that one. Irrespective of cost and affordability, I'd also like to own a aerie that also looks good. That's where the Oribi also bothers me quite a bit...

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Agreed. I get excited every time I see the RV standing on the ground. Makes you wanna fly it. Similar (more classic than sexy) about the Cubby as long as x wind not 15+ . Oribi must classify as ugly little mudder, but it does the stol thing very well and that what it would be doing so will have to put up with it. Beautiful lines take time and experience. It more a bakkie than a SL...

[Morph]

geez,

I'm up in JHB for one day and the world starts falling apart. GR-Dad relax, it's not happening today, tommorow maybe, but not today, Griff continue with the perv'ing (perveyering I mean), RV4Ker, I am nervous about glass cockpits, I know the MGL guys and I use their products, would be nervous to have it primary in an aerie. wrt the the half V6 from dbn, same feeling, I don't want to be the test pilot. THe cubby is nice but, don't like the back seat thing, since most of the flying I do is solo, I struggle to get my less than gorgeous 85kg frame in the back without getting legs tangled and foefie valves strained. The last time I got in one I had a cramp in my buttock for the first 10 minutes of flight due to all the contortioning. Brakes are crap as well.

Now the Savannah/Oribi, I think the 582 is a bit underpowered for it's weight although here at sea level it should be OK. HOwever at the price of 200K for the 912ULS kit, now that is worth it. Fully built about R240 which is the same as a fully built Bush Baby with 582 the Savannah is a good option. But I would have to register it as LS1 get my PPL to be able to utilise the MTOW of 560Kg, I need the 288kg, 2 adults, luggage and 50 liters of fuel.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Morth da 1st
EFIS is way of the future. Instrument failure is one of the risks of flight. I have had a couple steam guages go on me and as long as training is good no big deal. Same thing here. Space saving for extra's like Ipod, PDA etc... Cost of Full steam panel will be similar cost to the digitals and I like exacts , rather than somewhere between 350 & 360 deg's or somewhere between 1/2 & 1/4 fuel. The digital displays for me the way to go. Reinier looking for a test jockey I AM YOUR MAN

wrt the the half V6 from dbn, same feeling, I don't want to be the test pilot.

Again happy to be the test Jockey (and have offered as such in our Fat boy bush baby RV is doing solo at moment, but based on speed he building I think he gonna be ready before Durbs...)

The cubby is nice but, don't like the back seat thing, since most of the flying I do is solo, I struggle to get my less than gorgeous 85kg frame in the back without getting legs tangled and foefie valves strained.

he he he. I have a couple kg's on you and I have not done any long (max about 1.5hrs so far), but no problem flying at back although feels like someone is missing.... kinda like an armchair ride... Personal pref, but I like it. Agreed nothing beats front row seat, but I prefer it solo than with pax.... Changine radio freq is a bugger though.

Brakes are crap as well.

Agreed. Only way I can fly it is bare foot then brakes seem to work OK. With shoes I haven't got a clue. Took me 4 hrs of andings to work that out... Now prflight includes shoes behind the head. I don't like the bicycle brake on the stick at all....

Now the Savannah/Oribi, I think the 582 is a bit underpowered for it's weight although here at sea level it should be OK.

Up at alt I would not go for anything less than 100hp. Like the price of the Simoni, but it 2 stroke so jury still out. Similar with Hirth. I would like to try a 2.3 VW bet drive, but the extra cost for the 912 is not huge so maybe that a better idea? Will still see, but 582 is marginal at best up here.

HOwever at the price of 200K for the 912ULS kit, now that is worth it. Fully built about R240 which is the same as a fully built Bush Baby with 582 the Savannah is a good option. But I would have to register it as LS1 get my PPL to be able to utilise the MTOW of 560Kg, I need the 288kg, 2 adults, luggage and 50 liters of fuel.

Wait for sport pilot to be promulgated while you build.....

[Sonex711]

Gents,

Have a chat to John Waterson. He's very accomodating. I ordered kit#2 + tundra tyres, upholstery kit and water carb heating system. However, since I plan to install an EFIS, I didn't want any of the instruments or electrics. Not a problem... John took the cost of them out of the kit price.

On EAA this weekend, last I heard he was busy trying to get a new kit finished in time to fly up.

Finally, if anyone want's to have a look see at the kit, give me a shout. I'm working very slowly (only finished cleco'ing the leading edge ribs so far), but you are welcome to come see the bits...

[skybound®]

A bunch of us met John in Grahamstown a while back to go for test flights in the Savanah.

It is not an aesthetically pleasing acft, but the performance, comfort and FUN, more than makes up for it.

If I was looking, it would definitely be at the top of my pops list. And it's tin - not tupperware !

[GR8-DAD]

The Simonini 2-stroke in the Oribi. Anyone with comments, knowledge, other specs etc etc. Power, price and performance looks good, what about reliability, spares, TMO etc??

[RudiGreyling]

Hi Guys,

My 2c:

On the surface the Savanah/Oribi looks good. Can't beat the price. Looking forward to see it in the flesh at the EAA show.

As always:
Early adopters might score on price/entry but also run the risk of teething problems.

Later adopters might loose on price/entry but might have a more mature product/market.

I do not know how many of these aircraft have been sold world wide, so do a bit of home work.

On the building:
I like the fact that they use water jets to produce the holes so no deburring, ask me I know, building an RV lots of deburring.

The time is very low, so it should be a good project to get started and even finish. Projects that take a lot of hours often get abandoned.

Also the saving between the build cost and ready to fly is not the full difference. Remember you will need some tools, power, electricity light etc etc. You will also make a mistake or 2 that needs to be replaced. Eating away at your saving. Factory assembled ready to fly for R25 - 40K is good. Work out the hourly rate and you'll be surprised that these guys work at rates lower than your car mechanic when you service your car.

Working with Alu is very easy; the only problem is if you screw it up, that part is almost 80% of the time a throw away.

Seeing an aircraft coming together is very rewarding, you know every nut, bolt and rivet intimately and know what to check for on annuals. You will understand so much more what it takes to make an aircraft fly.

Instructions and support forums is very important, especially for the first time builder. I hope this is in place otherwise you will be test/building a lot, and eventually become a test pilot of your contraption!

If you guys decide to buy a kit keep a nice photo log, it is rewarding looking back on what you have achieved.

Regards
Rudi

PS: for some info on my RV build project go here:
http://avcom.co.za/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3239

[Sonex711]

...As always:
Early adopters might score on price/entry but also run the risk of teething problems.

Later adopters might loose on price/entry but might have a more mature product/market.

I do not know how many of these aircraft have been sold world wide, so do a bit of home work.

I did quite a bit of research (3 years now) and bought 2 set's of plans for other planes before I took the plunge...

From what I remember, they have sold close on 1000 kits for various models. My Savannah kit is number 445. They certainly seem to have ironed out most of the bugs. Just gotta learn to think like an Itallian, and understand their literal translations from Italian to English in the manual

Here's a link to the parent website...
http://www.icp-avio.com/index.htm

[Morph]

I must say, the Savannah/Oribi is butt-ugly. But then again it is modelled on the CH701 which is the butt-ugliest plane in the world

[Sonex711]

I must say, the Savannah/Oribi is butt-ugly. But then again it is modelled on the CH701 which is the butt-ugliest plane in the world

Yip - I didn't choose it for it's looks

But with a set of tundra tyres fitted, it will go anywhere...

[Morph]

I must say, the Savannah/Oribi is butt-ugly. But then again it is modelled on the CH701 which is the butt-ugliest plane in the world

But of course for some reason this one looks quite good