Ian's Savannah Project

[RudiGreyling]

Wow Very nice, Way to go Ian!

[Tailspin]

Ian

Next time give me a shout would love to go with and have a look see. even maybe help push

[Slick Willy]

Uncle Ian
I am really impressed and more than a tad green
I hope that you are blessed with thousands of safe flying hours in your SAV.
Let me know when you next plan to visit your new hangar and I may just pop in for tea

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Very very nice PETER!

Enjoy it. it looks awesome...

[Ian]

Very very nice PETER!

Dont you mean FRED ?

[RudiGreyling]

Hi Ian,

Long time no update?
I believe you were at Springs on Saturday 18 Aug to do a convex to type?
I was there the whole day, pitty we did not meet up.

Must be getting close?

Regards
Rudi

[Ian]

Hi Ian,

Long time no update?

Must be getting close?

Regards
Rudi

Hi Rudi,

Yep, you know how it goes, to have toys one has to work in the salt mines (at least I have to) and we have been quite busy...

Progress has been made..

Here I am checking the MGL rev counter accuracy with an analogue gauge (in fact not the MGL accuracy but to ensure I had set the pulses/count correctly)



Set the prop for top revs and did some taxi tests, all very lekker !

Next step was final inspection by the AP. Here I am sitting very carefully whilst the AC is weighed. W & B came in perfect.. Also VERY pleased that I managed to make the changes I wanted and still came in at the same weight as others.



Wouldn't be complete without a celebratory pic of Pierre the AP and I. Only snags were 2 missing labels (Phew :D )




Cheers ian

[RudiGreyling]

Awesome, that smile says it all! Good Luck!

[Ian]

After the AP final check, all went smoothly at CAA and I was the proud holder of a certificate entitling the Sav to commence proving flights.

I spent some time in Springs doing my conversion then waited for the right Wx

and..... Finally the day arrived... the Sav defies gravity... :D

On Sunday we had a successful first flight in great conditions.

While waiting for the test pilot to fly in, Pierre (the AP) and I ran up the engine one last time. I put 3 hours on the engine prior to flight.




This is the first hi speed run to check the Sav responds to controls correctly.



Up... and away - climbs like a homesick angel



A view I had not seen before



A 'relieved' test pilot Paul and proud owner...



The test pilot flew for a while then landed when he had an erroneous oil temp reading, we tried to fix, then I flew with him for around 40 Mins doing all checks as suggested in FAA AC 90-89A (well worth the read for anyone doing test flights etc).

Here is the 'build team' - Thanks for all the help guys ! Much appreciated :D



After all this I can say it was well worth the time.... Great Fun !

Cheers ian

[Sonex711]

Ian you biscuit! And you just beat me, even though I enlisted the help of professionals (not that yours doesn't look VERY professional).

I bet that smile will be there for ages.

[TonyV]

Well done Ian, what a fantastic achievement!
Wish you many hours of safe and happy flying
Regards
Tony

[Tailspin]

Ian

Congrats Dude. She is looking great.
Just got back from checking out the Struts for my VP and i will get there finaly one day. Again congrats dude ! Well done she is a beaut.

Yes i am jealous

[Thunderboy]

Ian you must be extremely proud.
Well done

Can't wait to see it myself. When you going to be flying her again so we can fly over and 'meet her' ?

[nicow]

Ian
Well done.Now you can enjoy your hard work.Hope you have many happy flying hours.

[John Waterson]

Heartiest congratulations on your wonderful achievement from Savannah Africa. Would you like a job, we are falling behind here.

Look forward to seeing you and your product in East London. That keg of wine that you left hear is now WELL matured and waiting to be cracked open.

Well done Ian

The Savannah Africa team
Jeremy, Barry, Wouter, Dan & John