bobcharl

Mark, The flap lever mod looks just great. Looks as though it will have some ergonomic advantage as well with more pull in line with the arm than the more backward movement in the original, as well as giving you more space. Good to hear you are getting a big buzz out of you conversion training. Congrats on being solo; nothing quite like it is there? Bob

Just a brief update. The cabin floor and forward fuselage are now assembled. Mostly went quite well: only doubt I have is that the cross member at the front of the seat is under some tension due to the fuselage sides having to be pulled in quite strongly. Some upholstery is in but many pieces have to be cut to fit. The flaperon control lever which is a bit topical at the moment fitted well and I just HAD to sit in the seat to try it out. (I haven't flown a Savannah from the LH seat).In view of some reports of the lever slipping out of the notches I cut the notches a little deeper and it now looks as though it could never slip out. I am wondering whether to stretch the spring slightly also. Haven't made a huge amount of progress lately due to lots of non-aviation happenings, but I have tomorrow off work and it looks as though it will be raining so I should be able to get into the shed and work without any distractions. Cheers, Bob

Hi Mark, Interesting problem you have encountered with your flap lever. Re electric flaps, the Jabiru I am currently flying uses electric and I quite like them even if they are a little slow. One thing you may need to consider if you go electric is some form of position indicator. Jab do it mechanically with a bowdern cable . Works fine, but looks like an afterthought. I'm sure you could come up with better. Having said that, I think it is important when customising something, that you end up with what you need and like rather than what the rest of us think you should have. Noted the problem Ballpoint 246niner has had with the lever not holding in the notch. Wonder if the notches need to be made a little deeper during assembly? Is it a widespread problem? By coincidence, I am assembling my flap lever at the moment, but can't locate the smaller bits (knob,spring, bushes etc.) You don't remember what they were packed with do you? Looking forward to hearing of your first flight , Mark. Regards, Bob

Mark, I did see the pics on your thread and I think that is probably the best option. I will most likely go the same way unless a better idea comes up. Bob

Sorry guys about the out of sequence problem in the photos in the previous post, but I'm sure you will sort it out, even if I can't. Bob

Christmas and its associated socializing has not been conducive to Savannah building but Iwouldn't miss it for quids. Assembled the fuselage ribs and that was easy.A word of caution though: the rudder cables which must be installed at this stage are left and right specific. Mine were not tagged and I assumed them to be identical. Not the case. The parts manual does give them separate numbers, but I didn't pick up on that until later.According to the manual the two slender ribs should be riveted to the skins and the corner braces added after assembly. I couldn't see how that could be done without the services of a pygmy, which I didn't have, so I riveted them together and installed them the same as the other ribs and the skins went over them fine. Clecoing the corner longerons required quite a deal of levering with the probe to bring all the holes into alignment. Some at the front did require a hone with a drill where several layers were involved. I was advised to install the extended baggage compartment before skinning and I think it proved to be good advice.Thanks to some earlier advice on resizing photos there should be some photos with this post. The one of the stabilizer skeleton shows the gap in the front where I later added a support that I mentioned in an earlier post. The rest are self explanetory. Bob

Hi Guys, Thanks for the ideas re flaperon tips. Will take both ideas to the workshop with me after Xmas.I'll keep you updated. I think I have the resizing of photos sorted.(I'm a slow learner). Watch for the next post. Have a Merry Christmas. Bob

G'Day Mark, Great to see you project continues to romp ahead. I love your paint job. No, you haven't sent me any photos of aileron tips-I would certainly appreciate any that you have which might give me some ideas. Bob

Got the flaperons completed. Well, almost. Ican't work out the best way to fit the plastic tips on the ends of the outer sections. They fit the leading edge nicely but the trailing edge doesn't want to look decent at all. I might have to set them aside and see what has been done on other Savs. I put a strengthening doubler inside the ribs where the tabs between the inner and outer sections rivet on just as a precaution even though problems in that area seem rare. I have a feeling any stress on these tabs could be caused by misalignment of the hinge points on the wing and fuselage. I will see how they line up when I get that far. Now for the fuselage. I note this website now has a "Builders Blog" section. I wonder if thats where I should be posting this drivel. What does everyon think? Bob

Have finished the elevator. I'm pleased with the way it has turned out. I like the trim tab design; hope it works as well as I think it should. I haven't put the plastic tip on the elevator or stabilizer yet. I am considering putting rivnuts on both sides to facilitate any dismantling in the future, but haven't decided yet. Would like to post the occasional photo but haven't a clue how to do that on this forum. Any advice gratefully received.

JG These McCleary tyres are available from Hawker Pacific in Sydney. Google Hawker Pacific and go to their home page and click "Special Offers". I understand there are plenty in stock. Good luck. Regards, Bob

A query: Have come across a 6.00-6 aviation tyre (McCreary brand) at a reasonable price. I want to know if it would be the same profile as the Condor 6.00-6. I was considering Condors but these are so much better priced. Can anyone help? Bob

The stabilizer is now completed and I am reasonablyhappy with the result.The outer sections when clecoed together seemed rather flexiblewhere there is no longeron underneath so I madeup what the manual would call "angulars"and riveted them onto the ribs with the external surfaceflush with the top of the ribs. Drilled the holesthrough the skins and they riveted up to be a nice firm job. I know its more weight but I can always go on a diet. Only blemish on the stab.is from the nose ribs. I re-shaped them prior to fitting to avoid this happenning, but no luck. I have been told cutting the tip off the nose rib is the way to go, but I didn't have the courage. Wish now I had tried it. This is just a fascinating project. Bob

rankamateur, Thanks for the link. I am following it up.Re the prepsol cleandown, I have been using acetone. What do you think? Bob

Have now got the fin assembled and riveted. Was keen to get it to go together without the wave in the skin that all the Savs I have looked at seem to have, but no luck. It has turned out just the same as all the others. Remarkable how rigid the structure becomes after completion. Lots of time spent painting anti-corrosive paint on the contacting surfaces. I am giving each surface two coats of the paint supplied in the kit. Had considered using etch primer, but decided ICP should know something about the job. Have been told about a handy gadget called a "Paint Buddy"to use for painting, but like lots of good products does not seem to be made any more. Now to the stabilizer. Bob

G'Day All, Am new to the world of Internet Forums, so if this seems unusual in any respect when it is posted please forgive me. I live 30km north of Wagga in southern NSW. Savannah's are a little uncommon here, I know of only two in a 250km radius of here, as opposed to SE QLD which seems to be dotted with them. Perhaps it's something to do with affluence (or lack of). If there are others near me I would love to hear of them. I will try to highlight some of the problems so other builders can be forewarned before they make the same mistake I did. Anyway, I have commenced construction of a Savannah VG XL. I hope to provide a running commentary of my efforts, although not in the detail of some already on this forum, and in no way to compete with them. I have tackled the rudder first because it looked the easiest part. (I am a first time builder). Went quite well.The fit-up is good, although where a rivet goes through a longeron, a rib, and a couple of skins requires some effort. I was reasonably pleased with the outcome, except for the plastic cap on the top.I may have to re-fit it. The manual was not much help in that regard. Whilst on the manual, that Italio-English takes mastering. Surely a better translation would not be too much to ask for. Cheers till next time, Bob Charlton

Alan I live in a rural district called Marrar about 30km north of Wagga in southern NSW. I'm not working to a timeline on the Savannah: how long it takes is how long it does take, but it would be nice to fly in to Natfly 2013. Bob

G'day all, finally got around to introducing myself. Started flying many years ago, initial training in a Victa Airtourer,then flew Cessna 150, 172, 182 and my favourite a Piper Comanche. Gave up flying in favour of family commitments (you all know the story I'm sure) but decided a few years ago to get airborn again. It seemed Recreational Aviation was the way to go and so started my conversion in a Tecnam and later a Jab 230.It seemed the skills never left - just got a trifle... er... rusty!! . Got my ticket and currently fly a Jab 160 on a hire basis. Always dreamed of scratch building an aircraft, but the years slipped by so thought a kit build might have more chance of completion so have commenced construction of a Savannah VG XL. Fascinating project Looking forward to being involved in this forum. Bob