The user friendly Savannah has a new wing. This new wing has increased the cruise speed of the Savannah by 5 kts, from 80 to 85 kts, max straight and level speed by 7 kts, from 90 to 97 kts.
As you can see below, the new wing and the old wing are both Airfoil NACA 650-18. The original wing being modified on the leading edge with slats. The factory flew the Savannah with the new wing, with and without vortex generators.0
Comments
The VG’s effects on the stalling speeds were not visible. For both configurations, Savannah with new wing and original Savannah, the stalling speeds are practically the same. The VG’s change the behaviour of the stall on the new wing. New wing, without the VG’s the stall is rough, and the trend of the aircraft is to fall into a spin. With VG’s the behaviour of the stall is similar to the wing with slats (original Savannah). Take-off and landing, the stall speeds are about the same. Rate of climb is about the same.
Conclusions
The Savannah with the new wing is 3 kg lighter than the original Savannah. The vortex generators effect is to give a smoother behaviour in the stall but they have no effect on the stalling speed. The biggest effect of the VG’s is on the ratio lift to drag. The absence of the slats increases the cursing performance and maximum speed.
Rate of decent power off at best glide speed are.
Original wing with slats 650 fpm at 48 kts.
New wing with vortex generators 500 fpm at 55 kts. The factory didn’t test the standard Savannah wing without slats and with VG. By removing slats the airfoil becomes non conventional (no publications exist about the aerodynamic performance and its stall behaviour). To assure the safety of the aircraft they did flight tests on a standard aerofoil on which they have summary data and general information. The new wing has a very common airfoil (NACA 650-18) and the original Savannah has the same airfoil but with an extended slat (see above). For anyone wishing to convert their standard Savannah-to-Savannah vortex, a kit will be available for less than $1,000. The kit consists of longer nose ribs, nose skins, plastic wing tips, fairings to the cabin and vortex generators.
Advantage
Six percent more speed and range, or reduce power and cruise as before and save up to 20% on fuel which could give up to 20% more range. This user friendly Savannah will shortly be available factory built LSA for flying schools, and those who prefer a factory built aircraft at a reasonable price. Price, same as Savannah with slats.
The Savannah is all metal (aircraft quality)
The World Directory of Leisure Aviation states, “Thanks to enormous investments in CNC machines, this Italian manufacturer can offer their kits at an absolutely unbeatable price, the same applies with their factory-built aircraft.”
When you compare what you get for your money we think you will agree.
Fly the user friendly Savannah and enjoy your flying.
