Savage Aircraft Sales was at Airventure with their two new entries into the Lightsport Aircraft category, the Savage and the Savage Cruiser. John Mohr of Mohr Barnstorming, who is well know for his aerobatic routine which he performs in his 1943 Steerman bi-plane and is in the process of buying and building a Savage on amphib floats spent a few minutes with me to talk about the Savage line of aircraft. John's also has years of experience flying Cubs, first learning to fly one at the age of 5 and soloing in it at 14, a plane he still owns today! This experience gives him a unique perspective on the Savage, which for all intense and purposes is a modern day version of the legendary Cub. John first became involved with the Savage when he was asked by his friend Keith Hartlaub of Savage Aircraft Sales to do a test flight in the Savage and give him his opinion of the plane. John now has over 50 hours of flying the Savage. This is his first experience with Rotax 912 S, and he is "very impressed with it, it is very smooth and quiet with a lot of power." "With full fuel, and two people on board we are climbing out at over 1,000 feet per minute, which is twice what my old J3 does, or even the Super Cub." John indicates that at 5,000 rpm the plane cruises along comfortably at 85 knots (just over 100 MPH). Stall with two on board comes in at 40 knots clean with a 30 knot stall with full flaps. Fuel consumption according to the fuel flow meter is 3.5 to 4 gallons per hour, giving the plane a comfortable 4 hours of flying with reserve at 85 knots. Controls are standard center mounted sticks, dual rudder pedals front and back and left hand throttles. (The rear stick is removable.) The flaps and ailerons are push rod operated, while the rudder is operated by cables. The plane comes standard with one door, but can be equipped for float operation with two.  In the Savage Cruiser which is the craft John and I did the interview in the pilot in the front seat has access to a full instrument panel while the rear seat featured and airspeed and altimeter. Unlike the Cub the Savage pilot flies solo from the front seat. John reports that "the Savage has a smoother aileron and elevator control, than the J-3 Cub, with a faster roll rate, and more rudder authority." Standard trim is via a lever located on the left hand side of the cabin, with electric trim available. Trim is via a trim tab located on the elevator. The front seat is adjustable and the doors can be opened and closed in flight. The Savage and Savage Cruiser are available both as LSA ready to fly aircraft or as ELSA. The kit version is quick build, taking about 400 hours to complete, with now welding or manufacturing required by the builder. | 
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