The background photo shows Savannah VG, newest to win SLSA approval. It has no slats, unlike the first Savannah (inset view) to win airworthiness. Another model, the Savannah ADV, has movable slats. Cruise speeds: Savannah — 95 mph; Savannah VG — 102 mph; Savannah ADV — 115 mph.
OK, this may sound complicated. Savannah is an Italian design which bears some resemblance to the CH-701 (though with numerous differences). It is being assembled by Skykits, a Canadian company with a U.S. location from parts fabricated throughout Europe. Got that? OK, let’s add more. Savannah is one fuselage with three diffferent wing variations. While I grant you these perform somewhat differently, I didn’t see them as each deserving their own airworthiness. But I’m not FAA…who, it turns out, did want three certificates to prevent owners from wing swapping. So, today, we have SLSA #39 as the “regular” Savannah with the fixed leading edge slat (inset photo); and #47 ADV model with a tapered wing with movable slots (rather significant differences); and the new #48 VG model, which has no slats, insteading using a line of vortex generators. Still with me? OK, finally, you can get all three models in ready-to-fly form, as an ELSA, or as a 51% kit. Whew! Choices are great but require that you do your homework.
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