Neil_S

As a short **** I ordered the ajustable seat for the pilots side only, that way I get the best of both worlds :)

I have a radio where I can listen on a second frequency, so usually have it on Area and I have twice had ATC advise of "two aircaft in the vicinity of xxx at altitude yyy on a potential collision course" - one of which was me. I responded to one of the calls saying I was altering course and altitude, but ATC did not communicate further - I guess they were either busy, or just felt the initial advice was all that was necessary, especially as I was altering course. I also have a Mode S transponder, so they would have been able to see me.

I went with a bunch of other pilots to a talk given by ATC at Melbourne airport, and basically they said they do not want to hear from us in the normal course of events, although obviously in an emergency they would respond. I am pretty happy if they continue to just broadcast if they see two VFR aircraft in the same area and altitude on a potential collision course as obviously that adds to our situational awareness, and makes us look around rather more in an appropriate direction.

Neil

I need to build an 'aircraft factory' and after that, I wish to order a Savannah S kit.However, I am at a loss to know whether to ask for the adjustable seat option or the standard fixed seat. There seems to be various schools of thought. I would like the collective wisdom of Savannah owning Forumites to help me so that I can make an appropriate choice.

 

One negative factor that I have been told about is the variable seat option makes the aircraft heavier. Others seem to indicate that the adjustable seat is less comfortable.

 

I would love to hear from people that have (had) experience with both so that a proper comparison may be made.

I have the adjustable seat as I am vertically challenged, so I have it forward, while my passengers usually have theirs back.

I have a cushion too, so I find the comfort level fine. The flap lever is between my legs, and I have the central control column.

The empty weight is around 310kg, but as I weigh only 60kg even with a full 140 litres of fuel (100kg) and 10kg baggage the TOW is 480kg. Could still have a passenger of 100kg and be below 600kg....

HTH,

Neil

Hi Simon & ,

Good decision! Where will you be doing your learning?

Cheers,

Neil

Hi MajorTom,

Welcome to the forums here, and I just know you will enjoy both the build, and flying, of your Savannah!

That is one cool RC model you have in your picture - building the Savvy should be easy after that!

Cheers,

Neil

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Good day,I would appreciate any comments on fuel management while flying Savannah with long range tanks.

 

I can see fuel level in inner tanks , but how can I guess level in outer tanks??

 

Also having return fuel line to inner tank is a risk of overfilling this tank while full

 

Regards

 

George

I always dip my tanks before flying so I have a good idea of total fuel. Then I fly on the inner tanks first, and if/when they reach about half on the wing root gauge I switch on both outer tanks. The level takes a little while to adjust, but then I just double the amount shown on the gauge.

At the end of the day I find 140 litres to be plenty for most of my flying, and with just me on board most of the time I find I get a tad under 15 litres an hour cruising at 5000rpm, although I use the book figure of 18.5 for planning.

If I haven't used the outer tanks for a while then I will switch them on anyway so the fuel gets used and doesn't get stale!

HTH

Cheers, Neil

Hi Gio and welcome,

What sort of flying do you do?

Cheers,

Neil

Hi Folks, just registered and saying g'day.Now an old self funded retiree who only flies single engine day VFR these days......but the passion still is strong! :)

Look forward to hearing more....

Hi All, After a long break, it's time I got back into it. Sometime in the near future I hope to purchase a two seater, preferably with conventional gear. Hopefully over time I will get to know some of you.cheers,

Tex.

Welcome back! Let us know how you go....

Cheers,

Neil

I thought some of you might be interested in my blog. It talks about all the destinations that we have flown to and give some great advise on what to do when you get there. All from the perspective of the 'right-seat flier'. EnjoyMy Flycation

I have just had a look at your blog and found it really interesting and useful. Thanks for sharing!

Cheers,

Neil

Welcome back, Phil!

Is that you flying the Lancaster?

Cheers,

Neil

Hi all from snowy Finland!

I have visited Finland a few times (Taavetti) as my wife is from there! Lots of trees and lakes - not many options for wheeled planes! I guess floatplanes are quite popular?

I like the look of the Groppo Trail - especially with the folding wings. I used to have a Skyfox Gazelle which had folding wings.

I see Inkoo is near the coast, west of Helsinki - will you put floats on your plane?

Cheers,

Neil

Hello from Adelaide.I am not a pilot as yet, but have worked in aircraft maintenance for over 10 years and looking at jumping into the cockpit myself.

 

So just here to connect and learn.

 

Cheers guys

Welcome! Tell us where you will be learning, and what you will be flying...

Cheers,

Neil

Hi Forum,i am Jochen, 56 years old. A long time ago i have built an Kiebitz plane with 2stroke Rotax 462. Last few years ago i made my toubles again with a FK 12 Comet.

And this year I want start to build a Savannah when my wife gives the permission. . .

 

kind regards

 

Jochen

Welcome! I am sure a few nice dinners out will work! My wife even let me put the cars out on the driveway so I could build in our garage

Good luck!

Neil

Hi Denis & ,

Go for it! You will not regret it!

I fly out of Penfield and come up to Bendigo quite frequently - it's a good location.

Best of luck with your flying training - keep us informed of your progress.

Cheers,

Neil

I recently started watching a program called "Airplane Repo" on Channel 9GO (93) on Wednesdays at 8.30 - quite amazing. Based in the US (of course), about guys who work for the banks "recovering" planes (and boats) with outstanding repayments by basically stealing them from under the "owner's" nose. Needless to say, the "pre-flight" checks done before they sneak a take-off are quite interesting. A few back episodes are available on 9 Catch Up.

Also noticed a program coming up on Saturday Jan 7th on 7Mate at 7.00 called Guy Martin's Spitfire - looks very interesting too....

Hi Riley,

I had the same issue when I took the course a while back. You are supposed to get the info, so I gave them a call and was told they were working on fixing it. Shortly afterwards they (manually) sent me the ones I got wrong. So I got there in the end :)

Cheers,

Neil

Well I have gone and done it now! Just ordered my Savannah S kit and options from Italy, just remains to pay for it and pick it up in a couple of weeks :) Just very slightly excited......

Keep us updated with your progress...

Cheers,

Neil

Hi Todd,

No idea about the Thruster, but wanted to say , and you have made a good decision to learn to fly! Good luck with whatever you end up flying....

Cheers,

Neil

Gday All,Ryan here, Melbourne local, been on/off with RAA for probably 5 years now, got a few hours in the aircraft and done the accident consultant course, might finish it next year, being i now have time!

 

My day job, owner of Stratos Group, general aviation leasing company with a couple of Piper Chieftains.

Whereabouts in Melbourne are you based?

Cheers,

Neil

Hi Matt,

I use an iPad mini with AVPlan on a kneeboard in my Savvy. Diagonal screen size is 8". Works fine for me. Can show you if you like.

Cheers,

Neil

I presume there's a financial incentive for the staff of insurance companies to limit or prevent payout- by any means. Not the sort of thing they'd include in their advertising. If we had politicians with backbone, insurers would be forced to publicise their payout statistics.

Insurance companies are not there to be nice and sympathetic, they are there to make the biggest profits they can. Not sure this is ever going to change.....

I have a GME MT410G Accusat PLB from CH Smith Marine - $289.

Link :-

GME MT410G Accusat PLB with GPS

Have it in the top pocket of my overalls when I fly.

German language certainly is very strictly governed by rules, like just about everything else in German culture. However the grammar gets pretty complicated. There are literally 6 different ways to say "the" (der, die, das, den, dem, des) in accordance with 16 different rules and that's only starting with the basics!