Dual sticks for Savannah's

[Kyle Communications]

has anyone out there got a factory fitted dual control system . I know Blair Rowan had it done on his first S model but the sticks were way too close to the crotch for my liking but that can be modified. I am looking seriously and converting mine to dual sticks as I do sit slightly shifted on my bum when flying due to my large size...I reckon if the stick was between the legs I wouldn't get the sore right bum bone after and hour or more of flying. Removable stick or fold down would be a consideration as well. I found some mods done by others attached are a couple of pics and a video

 

 

 

 

 

 

[eightyknots]

I have read of a few Foxbat/A22/Valor aircraft owners regretting that these planes have dual controls and wished a centre Y stick was possible.

 

 

[Kyle Communications]

The reason I am looking at it Hank is one of pure comfort for long flights. In the current config my right leg is slightly shifted to the left when flying straight and level. After about an hour of flying my right bum bone if you want to call it that starts to get sore. It is obviously got something to do with offsetting my right hip a little bit. Even in the XL ...it would be far worse in a VG. Its only been a problem since starting to do 1 to 2 hr nonstop flights. If I can shift the stick to the middle of my legs then I can sit straight and I should be able to fly for many hours non stop. There are a few options but I want to keep it so the centre stick can be used or a between the legs stick can be used as well. Either stick will be removable so you can have it either way. Ken from Kilcoy did it a simple way but the stick does lay over a bit during aileron control pics are attached. He has a old VG and he has a crook back and hip as well I think and this solved his issue. I would like to make the stick control more symmetrical I am getting together a model of the current control setup and mating wall so will be able to make up a demo to prove the theory. I will post some pics she I have it sorted

 

 

 

 

 

[JimG]

Mark, I have found the center stick is much more user friendly when it comes to writing entries and notes to a flight plan and also map reading as you can have either in your lap without bumping or interfering with the control stick.

 

Jim G

 

 

[Mriya]

Savannahs S, 24-7728 based at Lilydale now has a dual stick from the factory.

 

 

[turboplanner]

It would also be worthwhile investigating dual yokes instead of floor mounted sticks if you are going to that complexity.

 

A Yoke gives you the ability to use your knees as JimG mentioned, have a clipboard for smaller notes on the yoke, and get in and out a lot easier.

 

 

[rankamateur]

Savannahs S, 24-7728 based at Lilydale now has a dual stick from the factory.

Is it Dark blue and Dark Grey with swirl decals on each side?

 

 

[Mriya]

Is it Dark blue and Dark Grey with swirl decals on each side?

Nope. This one is blue with white belly. Was online with Lilydale Flying School, had a landing accident last year, insurance opted to provide a new fuselage, owner opted for dual controls in it. I did the repair at AvServe, Coldstream. Aircraft is now back at Lilydale, however I think the owner has been a bit busy with work and has not yet placed it back online with the flying school.

 

 

[rankamateur]

That makes two in Australia then.

 

 

[Kyle Communications]

The centre stick is fine for short flights for me up to an hour but after that there is too much pain....yokes would be way to difficult for a savannah control system

 

I have a few ideas spinning around in my head will make some test samples up and see how they go. For a start though that extension stick idea would be a good trial even if it does go a little lop sided

 

Mark

 

 

[Kyle Communications]

This is the only pic I have of Blairs dual stick XL

 

 

 

[rankamateur]

Not sure where it ended up , Gary had it down at Scone for a while while we built his new S model, it was just a fill in and he sold it on.

 

 

[robinsm]

if its to close to your crotch, put a bend the stick away from you...

 

 

[rankamateur]

I think the stick in your crotch needs to be longer for comfort, not enough leverage with the factory ones. The bend might also help, it works for the flap lever.

 

 

[Kyle Communications]

Thats why I changed the geometry on the flap lever...stick length isn't a issue just make it to suit. It will have to have some sort of gooseneck on it as the only real way to put in a second mechanism at least for the pilot it will have to be close to the front wall to be the same as the centre operation. I am thinking of a removable centre stick and just a between the legs pilot control stick. Both just plug in using the quick lock pins in that 701 video I posted. Once I set that up for the centre stick I might do that one like Ken did and plug it i and see how it goes. But I think I will make another setup directly underneath the pilot

 

Mark

 

 

[eightyknots]

Interesting ideas, Mark. Probably worth developing just to see whether it solves the pain problem.

 

 

[Kyle Communications]

Well I need to do something if I want to fly more than 1 hour hops.....the problem of being a tall and fat bug*ar. Bloody legs are too long

 

 

[Geoff13]

Kyle

 

Were you flying out of Caboolture this morning at about 0900. There was a Savannah that looked a lot like your avatar taking off as I headed out on my second nav flight.

 

Cheers Geoff

 

 

[Kyle Communications]

No it washt me geoff....it would be Danny leach..Dan3111 on this forum. He rebuilt a savannah VG and made it have a XL nose on it...infact he used my smashed cowl which he put a heap of work into to get it back to size and shape the one that came off mine when the girlfriend had her mishap late last year. His is painted very similar to mine. Good to know Danny has been sneaking away from work to get some flying in. if it was orange with white ticks that is Neil.... ballpoint249 on this forum...there are currently 10 savannah flying out of YCAB.....they are like ar*seholes....everyone has one just shows how good they are to have so many around....mind you only 1 of those 10 are factory built the rest are all home builds

 

Mark

 

 

[Geoff13]

Cool. That tells me that when I finish my navs, I should be able to find one someone out there to take me for a ride in one. :). One must try before they buy, musn't one.

 

 

[Kyle Communications]

No shortage geoff..call into hangar91 if you see it open and say hello..I am usually there most friday and or saturday mornings

 

 

[eightyknots]

No it washt me geoff....it would be Danny leach..Dan3111 on this forum. He rebuilt a savannah VG and made it have a XL nose on it...infact he used my smashed cowl which he put a heap of work into to get it back to size and shape the one that came off mine when the girlfriend had her mishap late last year. His is painted very similar to mine. Good to know Danny has been sneaking away from work to get some flying in. if it was orange with white ticks that is Neil.... ballpoint249 on this forum...there are currently 10 savannah flying out of YCAB.....they are like ar*seholes....everyone has one just shows how good they are to have so many around....mind you only 1 of those 10 are factory built the rest are all home buildsMark

That would have taken some doing considering the XL is about 100 mm wider than the VG!

 

 

[rotax618]

The firewall is the same size, only its about 6 deg more upright on the XL ans S.

 

 

[rankamateur]

The firewall is the same size, only its about 6 deg more upright on the XL ans S.

Which means you need to be about 6 degrees gentler with the nose leg when landing.

 

 

[eightyknots]

Which means you need to be about 6 degrees gentler with the nose leg when landing.

I never knew ICP changed the angle of the firewall. That would make landings a little bit less forgiving!