By Garth Calitz

On a chilly Highveld morning, I had the privilege of being invited to Kroon Airfield, just north of Pretoria, to experience what I consider to be one of the best value-for-money light sport aircraft available in South Africa today. Six highly enthusiastic Savannah pilots invited me to join them for a photo shoot of their remarkable aircraft.

The ICP Savannah is a high-wing, single-engine ultralight aircraft with side-by-side seating for two, initially manufactured in Italy by ICP srl. It has been sold extensively, especially in Europe. The Savannah remains in production and is available both as a ready-to-fly model and as a kit for those seeking a more hands-on experience.

To truly appreciate the beautiful landscape we are fortunate to have in South Africa, you need an aircraft that can transport you swiftly and reliably and land in places where many other aircraft cannot.

The Savannah light sport aircraft are notable for their dependable short field performance, robustness, and exceptional safety. Featuring a high wing, tricycle landing gear, and all-metal construction, these aircraft are truly remarkable.

The very short take-off and landing capabilities make the Savannah particularly suitable for “bush” flying, and its comfort and stability are great for long cross country flights. It makes a superb photography, game counting, surveillance or training aircraft. Some have been adapted with snow skids, water floats, and others with crop spraying equipment, proving the versatility on this slow, stable, and quiet Light Sport Aircraft.

The Savannah is available in five variants ,The Savannah MPX740, The VG, VG XL, Savannah S and S Taildragger

Savannah MXP740

The Original “Classic” Savannah with leading edge slats, was an improved derivative of the Zenair CH701: Cruise (75%) 88 mph, Stall 28 mph, Climb 900 fpm, Glide 8:1, Immensely stable in the stall. It will tolerate crossed controls and extreme aileron input, but can dump you on the deck with a high flare on landing. The STOL capabilities of this remarkable aircraft are becoming legendary.

Savannah VG

The Savannah VG was created when the ICP design team realized that the aircraft performed better without its slats. The wing still stalled at the same airspeed. ICP then altered the original wing in front of the spar to an NACA 61058 profile to enhance stall characteristics.

Why were slats used initially? A slatted wing offers unmatched low-speed stability but comes with drawbacks: increased drag and fuel consumption, reduced cruise speed, and reduced glide ratio. The aircraft with slats can be fully controlled laterally with the flapperons when stalled, making it particularly safe during approach and low-speed flight. None of the Savannah variants will spin in a stalled condition, but the VG wing variants require slight rudder input during an asymmetric stall to maintain level wings. It remains very safe in all flight configurations.

The VG wing offers significant advantages. The aircraft cruises 8 mph faster at the same rpm, climbs 100 fpm quicker, has a notably better glide ratio, and provides a gentler descent when flaring for landing. Fuel consumption at the same cruise speed as the slatted version is improved by 20%. The Savannah VG retains all the STOL features of the slatted variant, offering more efficient aerodynamics and a better range, making it highly versatile. With a stall speed ± 25% of cruise and the ability to lift its own empty weight, it is hard to find a competitor.

Savannah VG XL

The Savannah VG XL is essentially the same aircraft as the Savannah VG, but it has been modified to accommodate larger individuals. South Africans tend to be bigger than average and often require more shoulder and leg room. The cabin is 10 cm wider than the standard VG, measuring a full 1.09 meters, and is also 15 cm longer with adjustable rudder pedal positions. A lower leg position has allowed for a deeper panel, resulting in less crowded instruments.

The XL cowls have been completely redesigned, making the front end of the aircraft much more streamlined, with the now standard large spinner integrated into the sleeker lines of the aircraft. The result is a larger cabin, a 3 kg increase in weight, and a 4 mph increase in cruise speed. Visibility is also improved with larger door windows and the option of a clear or tinted lexan cabin roof.

The Savannah S

Sleek and Sexy is the flagship model of ICP. It shares the same basic design as the Savannah VG XL but features a more streamlined and rounded fuselage. This version not only performs well but also boasts an attractive appearance. As one owner remarked, "The Savannah has finally been taken out of the box." The Savannah S maintains all the stable flight characteristics of previous models and the spaciousness of the XL. The cabin measures 1.09 meters in width and is 15 cm longer than the VG, with adjustable rudder pedal positions for taller individuals. If you are over 185 cm tall or weigh more than 100 kg, you will find the S or XL more comfortable.

Savannah S (Taildragger)

The Savannah S (Taildragger) shares the same flight characteristics as the tricycle version, though the landing and take-off techniques need to be modified for the tailwheel. If you want to fit the image, this is the aircraft for you.

The Savannah and Oribi have received Type acceptance in South Africa and many first-world countries globally, having met the strict UK BCARS regulations.

The Savannah is exceptionally easy to fly, requiring minimal rudder input to coordinate turns and none during straight and level flight. It handles rough conditions better than many general aviation planes. Its very short take-off and landing capabilities make it particularly suitable for “bush” flying, while its comfort and stability are ideal for long cross-country flights.

A special thank you to Rugene, Dawie, Deon, Danie, Jodie, and Theo for allowing the use of their aircraft. Thanks to Derek, Kruger, and Greg for serving as safety pilots, and finally, Gustav, for the use of your Pegasus as a photoship.

#Savannah #LightSportAircraft