eightyknots

I have had an operation and while recovering I decided to read through anything to do with the horizontal stabiliser (which is nearly complete) and the elevator. I had quite a think about this issue and decided to do No 5 which is a small bracket which braces the centre in the opposite direction. The idea is for this bracket to be a "helper" to the bracket on the other side supplied by ICP. I was able to keep this bracket to just 6 grams. Unfortunately I am too weak (at present) to do any more than about an hour's work in my shed: just enough time to make the bracket and rivet it in place. When I next get back to it, I may also do Major Tom's No 4. :-)

Mark, are you going to fit a ballistic chute to your plane as part of the upgrade?

I will have a think whether or not to put something into the frames for rust protection. As you say, if it remains sealed then it may not be a problem. I wonder if the grip handles could be welded on easily without weakening the frame or, what is worse, warping the frame? Perhaps it may be possible to fit plastic automotive handles to the frame instead? There many different kinds available:

Perhaps, iBob, you should sent photos of your own lovely aircraft??

Hi Karl, Do you have a description what you had to do to the Viking-supplied CH701 cowl to adapt it for use on the Savannah S? Maybe you have some pictures as well? Another question: do the Viking engine mounts bolt into the same place where the Rotax 912 would bolt into place?

Hi savvypilot, Welcome to the forum. I am one of the builders that Bob wrote about. If ever you are this way, feel free to see us. Perry and Bob have finished their build and almost finished their build respectively. I am only at the beginning of my project and, if work did not get in the way, I would have been more advanced. Did you import your Savannah from Australia yourself or was there an in-between New Zealand owner? Kind regards, Hank Mmmm, Ruakaka, a place where my wife holiday-ed every summer while she was growing up and told me about fantastic memories of endless summers. As a result we camped there there for two summers in a row but both times we were heavily rained upon. The second time, most tents had to be dismantled or were destroyed by massive winds and people had to shelter in the community hall. Hopefully, when you are flying in your area, the winds are not so crazy.

Hi Fil, Are these oversize 8mm O/D Teflon bushes commercially available off-the-shelf? If so, where did you buy them?

I wonder why the cabin frames on these relatively new planes have rusted so much? Perhaps we need to run fish oil inside them?

I am interested how this works out for you.

* Very nice, Tom!!

That cowl really alters the looks of the front.

Hi Brett, I also:welcome: you to this great Recreational Flying forum! Are you an aspiring flyer, a current flyer or an aircraft builder? As iBob asked above, what are your plans, etc? Perhaps you care to share? eightyknots (Wairarapa)

Very generpus of you John!

Hi Tom, It's great to see your aircraft flying! This will inspire me to work on my Savannah and get mine in the luft as well. I like the colour too. Could you post a picture of the complete dash panel?

BRS in New Zealand costs $NZD11,845 plus freight from Auckland to other parts of the country. This is equivalent to $AUD11,230 at today's rate. That is pretty pricey. They tell me they weigh 13 kg.

It seems that it still better to have the extended baggage area for more space, even with a chute in place. Is GRS the only recommended chute for the Savannah? ...or are there a number of possible ballistic chutes for this plane??

I may be interested too. Hopefully PerryNZ or In Ibob will know the source.

Stunning!!

It is very sad. My sincere condolences to the affected families.

G'day Mark, Because the NZ dealer was a sub-agent of Reg's Aerokits* business, Savannah buyers in NZ were supplied with four fuel tanks and the extended baggage area as well. That is how my kit is supplied. Perhaps Down Under in general fit into this ICP policy? NZ kits also come 'standard' with adjustable seats. I am interested in what you're doing with the BRS because, when I get to the fuselage in my build, I will have another conversation with my wife to confirm that she wants me to fly with a ballistic chute. I can predict the answer: Yes! ... she wants to keep me . I am really interested in your chute progress for this reason. I am also curious how useable the remaining baggage area will be after fitting the chute. So far, your pictures tell the story well. *now that Reg has sold the business, I am not sure what the arrangement with the NZ sub-agent is at present.

There is compulsory fitment of ballistic chutes in some European countries so I am surprised that you have to invent this all from scratch. Doesn't ICP supply all the mounting hardware as an add-on kit?

If you happen to come across Valor/A22 parts, I might be interested in one of those little tail wheels. PM me if you happen to see one.

That's terrible !

Very interesting Mark. It seems like the chute will take quite a bit of space from the baggage compartment, even an extended one. However, I think it is a life saving 'must-have'. I wonder how much the chute and rocket combination affects the weight and balance? As the balance will be a bit Aft it may mean I have to put a bigger engine up front for the sake of proper balance! ?

I realise that the CH750 was an enlarged version of the CH701 (which forms the basis of the Savannah). The CH750 has grown in mass considerably!