John Nooyen

Guys & Gals Please keep an eye on the welds of the muffler, especially the spot welds on the baffles, and the inlet an exhaust pipes. Mine has been welded numerous times, and I'm sure I am not the only one.

I feel that owning your aircraft is the only way to go. I fly with a great bunch of guys from Kilcoy and Boona, and average 150 Hrs a year. There is no way I could afford to rent an aircraft at current rates. The Savannah I built is a great machine, and the Rotax is very reliable and relatively low maintenance. I am also fortunate that I own my strip ( you have to live somewhere), so there's no politics involved, and the mowing costs are minimal, as the local farmer wants the grass. The 1hr 20 min drive to work is well worth it. Some idiot (I thought) told me "Why don't you build your own aircraft". It took me a while to investigate it, but it worked out very well.

Flying over built up area approval Call Steve Bell Technical Manager Recreational Aviation Australia 3/1 Pirie Street Fyshwick ACT 2609 Australia Ph: +61 2 6280 4700 Fax: +61 2 6280 4775 I just emailed them. My approval is in force unless cancelled. Your aircraft must have an "approved engine" (NOT converted auto engine). RAAUS is always happy to assist.

Hi Jack. Most of the choice is personal preference, although high-wing is a little more stable, due the Center of gravity being below the venter of lift. High wing is much cooler in QLD. than a bubble canopy sauna. High wing, also gives you somewhere to sit in the shade at Fly-ins, and keeps the showers off. You are also less likely to hit low obstructions during an out-landing, such as stumps and fence posts. High wing is less affected by ground effect, so you won't float down the strip on landing. My personal choice "High Wing" John N.

correction. the 5mm Neeta vynil tube was from Clark rubber at $1.00/Meter correction. the 5mm Neeta vynil tube was from Clark rubber at $1.00/Meter

Fuel tank foam strip I just used a couple strips of the $4 a roll foam weather strip from super cheap or Crazy Clarkes. It has its own adhesive. As it is squeezed between the tank and skin, it won't move.(It's good around the doors too.) The adhesive is extremely good and cannot be removed easily. Around the fillers I used some 1.5-2 mm thick black foam sheet from Clark rubber. Make a square and cut a hole to fit it on the filler hole, then fit the tank.(No glue required). I soaked it in fuel for a couple days to make sure it didn't melt. I also used Neeta 5mm vinyl tube fron Crazy clarks for the sight tubes. You need to leave a lot of slack as it does shrink a bit. Te first lot lasted for 6 years and was still OK. I changed it when I did all the fuel lines. It does yellow and goes a bit harder, but is still flexible. Bot sight gauges cost about $2.00 total. These are only what I did. and suggestions only. Cheers

Mark. Before you put the tanks in, you might consider putting some soft thin foam strips between the tanks and top skin. When I had my tanks out, I noticed some chafing between the tanks and the top skin. I just used a couple strips of the soft "door seal" tape from a junk shop. Also a square of thin foam around the filler caps before the tanks are put in will stop the fuel getting i the wing when you spill some. Regards John N.

Savannah Weight. Mine came up at 291 Kg, but has probably gained a few KG in the last 5 years. Interestingly, my battery is in the tail, and weight & Balance is spot-on. Brian and JG have theirs as far forward as possible, so indeed, "Every aircraft is different". I suggest leaving the battery lead long, and sliding the battery around at the end to get the balance correct. regards John N

Hi Mark. Congrats on the new kit. Hope to see you at my strip in Toogoolawah for a coffee. Regards John N. There are quite a few Savannah drivers out here if you have any probs.

I hold both RAAUS and GA pilot ratings. I assure you all that the standards are almost Identical for VFR. This article is an illl informed piece of dribble.

This site needs a list of "Friendly" paddocks where people can fly in for a coffee at their "Own risk" of course. The airfields section only repeats whats already in ERSA, so is useless.

The ERSA under the wheel works just fine.

Rattles Just a few rivit heads I never found still rattling in the wings. Savannah flies great. 500 Hrs on it now. Longer wings than the Zenith, and symetrical stab. Great aitcraft. Thanks

:welcome:Hi all. I'm John. A Savannah flyer from Toogoolawah.