Ian's Savannah Project

Aircraft Projects Underway or Completed

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Ian
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Postby Ian » Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:50 pm

Thanks Rudi, Thunderboy.

Rain stayed away, although 2K dries very fast.

The post below is not my build, but Waldo Verster's from Kitty Hawk who had his final AP inspection on Saturday.

Here is the proud fella in front of his pride & joy

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And here is the fuselage design - I think it looks GREAT ! :)

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Here is the dash - Completely Savannah standard, except he has added a Filser radio in the spare 2.5 in hole.

Image

This build has taken Waldo almost 1 year, which is a good indication for others on the time to build this kit at home with a demanding job.

Cheers ian
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Postby KFA » Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:53 pm

Hi guys, the electronic levels are supplied by Tilt-tech 012-6667342. They are quite expensive. :cry:
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Ian
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Postby Ian » Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:20 pm

Today I fired up the motor for the first time... :D

Everything worked like a treat, stopped it many times to check for leaks and anything loose but all seems fine !

Only problem is getting the oil temp up, even with 70% of the cooler taped up I stopped trying at 50 deg. :? (dont want to rev it too high at this early stage)

Image

Cheers ian
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Postby Mogas » Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:52 pm

Nice work Ian.
Ya, cool oil on the Rotax can be a problematical.
I bought and fitted an oil thermistat from Aviation Engines, allows the oil to bypass the cooler till a certain temp is reached. Before that I covered my cooler with aluminium tape during my ground runs as I could not get it to operating temperature no matter how long I sat there at 2500 rpm.
Now pre-flight warmup to 50 degC takes about 3-5 minutes on a cold winters morning.
It cost about R800 and was a simple inline fit in the oil cooler lines.
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Sonex711
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Postby Sonex711 » Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:53 pm

Ian wrote:Today I fired up the motor for the first time... :D
Ian, you beauty - and look at that smile. No excuses now... get her to the airport and fly her!!!

PS: I take it you don't have an oil thermostat fitted. I've been looking at getting one of these... (Second item under section 4). I hear they help lots in winter.
http://www.rotaxservice.com/rotax_engin ... _912UL.htm
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Postby Tailspin » Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:40 am

Ian You biscuit =D*

EXCELLENT :!: :!:

She is looking good.

MIN DAE :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Ian
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Postby Ian » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:46 pm

Thanks for your comments Mogas, Sonex711 (U gotta change that name..) and Tailspin, much appreciated.

Mogas, I thought long and hard about the oil thermostat, have not done it now, but certainly will and added it to my later list... want to fly now.. :D

After spending plenty time on the last 10%, I got 90% of it done... just when you think you're finished you aint... the list just grows longer (but better now than later).

Ran motor for a further 30 mins, checked out all audio etc and was very happy with the quality, no whines etc (good grounding and filtering sure pays off). Cut antenna to 60mm of what the chart says, thruline wattmeter tells me VSWR can be better, waiting to have the wings on for final trim.

So windy Sunday dawned, still fuming about not flying to Springs on Saturday (last time I believe SA Weather...), packed the fuselage on trailer and off to the airfield.

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The Sav looks so small in there, looked big in the garden !

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This last one is for Morph, what is that string of flag like thingies doing there ? :?

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Next 2 weeks I hope to have some wings on her... Right now it's back to the salt mines :(

Cheers ian
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Postby Aerosan » Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:08 am

Hey Ian :!:
Looking good there, just for the record what is your hanger nr? looks like you are two down from me! Right next to Rubber Duck :twisted:

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re

Postby t-bird » Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:27 am

Hi Ian

The oil thermostat will only help to warm up the plane. I think that it is opening at about 80 degrees. I have one on my Gyro and I still need to tape up 80 % of the oil cooler in winter.You need 90 degrees plus to boil off the water.

Cheers

Callie
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Postby RudiGreyling » Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:56 am

HI Ian,

Well done Mate, pitty you did not get out to Springs, Was hoping to see you again.

PS: For some reason I can't see your pictures.

Regards
Rudi
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Tailspin
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Postby Tailspin » Thu Jul 12, 2007 8:39 am

Hi Ian

I cannot see your pic's either ?

No worries about Sat as the saying go's Shit happens :lol:
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Ian
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Postby Ian » Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:29 pm

Sorry guys :(

The meter ran out, been recharged now :)

Cheers ian
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alan
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no pictures

Postby alan » Wed Jul 25, 2007 5:54 pm

Well done Ian. Very frustrating though as I cannot see any photo's. Can anyone tell me how to change this? Flipping computers :x
Waiting for the wind to stop
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Ian
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Re: no pictures

Postby Ian » Wed Jul 25, 2007 6:51 pm

alan wrote:Well done Ian. Very frustrating though as I cannot see any photo's. Can anyone tell me how to change this? Flipping computers :x
Not a fault on your side Alan, its my IT guys, we recently revamped our machines, so they need to get all settled .... :?

Should be OK now.

Cheers ian
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Ian
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Postby Ian » Sun Jul 29, 2007 4:17 pm

Final stretch now...

Decided to fit good old car fog lights as the one that comes in the kit throws a long narrow light and these throw a bright wide light - only used to warn others .. Dont think the extra drag will affect this aerie ...

Image

The time came to put fuel into the tanks, so after reading stories of how fast fuel kills Lexan I covered the windows... Put 20 L into each tank and (phew) no leaks...

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Pitot tube cover needs a bit of a modification...

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So the time finally arrived to haul the Sav out and go for a 'drive' around the hangars..

From front :
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Front side:
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Rear side:
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Steering straight seemed to keep the rudder centered, so that adjustment is ok. We taxied down the taxiway, but then pushed it back up (dont wanna rev the motor yet).

Next step is final little finishes then final inspection, W&B then CAA then its in the air (with a little luck) :shock:

Cheers ian

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