Photograph:
ICP Savannah 19-7004 (c/n 07-09-51-639) at Narromine, NSW in September 2012 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Italy
Description:
Two-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912UL four-cylinder four-stroke liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 9 m (29 ft 5 in)
- Length: 6.1 m (20 ft 2 in)
- Height: 2.1 m (6 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 12.93 m² (139.2 sq ft)
- Max speed: 153 km/h (95 mph)
- Cruising speed: 137 km/h (85 mph)
- Stalling speed: 52 km h (32 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 366 m/min (1,200 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 3,962 m (13,000 ft)
- Range: 800 km (497 miles)
- Empty weight: 272 kg (600 lb)
- Loaded weight: 441 kg (972 lb)
History:
The Savannah was a light sport monoplane produced in kit form by ICP Aviazione srl at Piova Massaia in Italy. It could be fitted with either the Rotax 912UL or 912ULS engine, as well as the Rotax 582. It had seating for two side-by-side and had STOL (short take-off and landing) performance, was said to be able to operate out of almost any airfield and had good cross-country ability.
Most aircraft in the series have been registered under Australian Ultralight Federation (AUF )/Recreational Aviation Australia (RAA) Regulations and have been available in a range of models.
First example of the type seen in this region arrived late in 2003 for the Australian agent, Outback Aircraft Pty Ltd of Mareeba, QLD, for operation as a demonstrator. First of the series registered was VH-VMT (c/n 03-11-51-251), registered in the ACT on 27 July 2004, followed by VH-BUR (c/n 05-06-51-396) in March 2006.
The type has become very popular in this part of the world, with many examples built in Australia, and many registered in New Zealand as Micro Lights.