mcrowley

Kyle... Do you have any drawing, pics, or closeups of the install? I'll need to do the same but I'm still trying to "engineer" the install... Thanks!!!

I found that using a rivet cutter worked well, in other words.... I cut the stock rivet in half and used a shortened rivet on each side. You'll have the same challenge in a few places on the flaperons and the wings as you near the trailing edge.

Do you have any pics of the battery box install? Close ups? How did you modify it to fit? I've heard that the taildragger version has the battery in the tail... maybe they have a custom support design?

Thanks for the pics and the different solutions to the problem! Kyle, how is your box installed? It looks like the stock battery box but I can't see how you've modified it... Thanks all!

I will probably ask Valter to fly the test flight as he has offered and I'm a very low time pilot. I'm looking forward to changing that !!! ;-)

According to Valter, the black sealer is only applied to one surface of the mating pair.

I like to use a disposable 1" foam brush for the black primer, it has worked very well for me and I have good control of where the paint ends up :)

I would love to see pics of your battery box set up. Since I will be using a Corvair engine I will also need to shift the battery back. I ordered two boxes, mounted the first one in the stock location just for grins. Now, how to mount one near the access door in the tail???

Looks fantastic! I love how the Savannah flies, I get an hour of transition training with Valter every month or so just to keep the fires stoked hot! I've read your post elsewhere, but I've forgotten... what is the treatment you have given the rows of rivets?

Yes, I have the one piece wing tip. That kinda makes my point about the manual. My kit has the one piece wing tip, the new plumbing that simply joins the long range tanks to the nearest inboard tank, the new vent line for the collector tank, and the extended baggage compartment. The manual simply states "install wing tip" without offering any tips on how to do it. I did the first one in two days, the second one in 30 minutes. The new tank plumbing isn't in the manual at all, other material is scattered across three different sections, the references to various chapters, page numbers, and illustrations are usually inaccurate, and the master list of components is missing many of the parts. It seems to me that ICP has done an outstanding job of listening to pilots and updating the design, making it better and better. What puzzles me is why they don't do the same for the construction manual. Many of my pages are dated 2010... The good news is that the kit design, organization, and fabrication is fantastic and Valter della Nebbia here in Texas is an easy, helpful friend to reach out to at any time. More than a salesman, he is also a very experienced pilot (former NATO fighter pilot), builder, and superb instructor. He has been an excellent source for advice not only on construction but also in deciding which features and equipment to install based on the mission profile you desire.

rankamateur, are you building the S model?

I actually have three small bags of each in my kit...

Has anyone tried extending the extended baggage compartment on their Savannah? I'm building the Savannah S model with the extended baggage option. I realize that putting additional weight in the tail is limited and the CG has to be closely monitored. What I'm thinking off is a very lightweight aluminum tube to extend back a couple more frames to allow small, light, long pieces to be carried. As I'm not much of a golfer I'm primarily thinking of ways to transport a rifle or shotgun... We Texans have a wild hog problem and I'm looking forward to doing what I can to help

As we all know, the construction manual really stinks but the aircraft is a sweeheart and the kit is really impressive. All the parts are labeled, bundled together, and designed in a way that things can only go one way. Now if only I wouldn't spend hours trying to find an odd part, decipher the cryptic manual, or figure out how to do things like "install wing tip." So far I've gotten the tail feathers and wings done, now I'm working on the fuselage. You can check out my build progress on www.mykitlog.com/mcrowley

I have the new manual and the updated panel you are talking about in my Savannah S kit. I post some pics of the manual's layout of the installed instruments this evening.

I was talking about the line curled up in the bottom of the box... I had four cardboard boxes in my crate. One was all the little parts for the fuselage and was labeled "fuseleio" or something Italian like that ;-) The second box contained the brake system, tire tubes, seat belts, etc. The third box contained the boot for the control stick, electric flap motor, etc. The fourth box had the other little bags of rivets, bags of nuts and bolts, pitot tube, etc. Although I'm sure its certainly possible, every time I get frustrated and think something is missing, I find it :)

My Savannah S kit had the countersunk, or flush rivets... small bag, had to dig all the boxes. I found mine at the bottom of the smaller box that contained the pitot system... Good luck!

Thanks Neil, however I live in Midland, Tx USA so that may be a bit pricey ;-)

Thanks for the pics!! If you have some of the front that would also be very helpful.

Holy mackerel!!! I'm now taking tips on installing the new one piece plastics wing tips on the Savannah S.... I've manage to wrestle it in but... 1. Do you slide the plastic between the spars and skin or trim the spar or plastic tip? 2. Somehow the bottom outer skin panel one has a wave in it after I installed the tip with Clecoes. 3. Any pics of a proper install, notably the spacing/overlap of the sheet edges in relationship to the tip.

Thanks all, I appreciate the help! Garfly, thanks again... I misread your initial reply, drat!

Garfly, that wasn't my contention... merely what I've been told. I studied the BRS website and couldn't find confirmation, perhaps I missed it? I would appreciate access to the information where "it is easy to disprove;" it hasn't been for me. I realize this topic is scattered all over this site, however I haven't been able to find the specific response to unusual or tumbling flight attitudes. I appreciate the collective experience and research of the members as I am trying to make well informed decision as I continue in my own build.

Has anyone heard that the ballistic parachutes are only able to deploy in straight and level flight? I would imagine the primary purpose for deployment would be in case of in-flight structure failure or loss of control which would result in a tumble...??

I'm trying to close out my first wing on my Savannah S... Question: does the outer wing tip panels go under or overlap the main top and bottom skins? Thx!

One simple trick to balance a tire can be borrowed from motorcycle riders. Put about 4 ounces of dynabeads in the tube after temporarily removing the valve stem, then simply air it back up. It works perfectly on the large rear tire on my Honda Goldwing.