Sunday 4 June 2017

Zlin Savages and Savage Cubs of New Zealand and a Shock Cub

Zlin Aviation S.r.o was formed in Lugagnano, Italy in the 1990s and produced the Savage microlight in 1997.  (This is a different company to Zlin Aircraft a.s. that produced the many well known Zlin aircraft such as the Trener Master, the Z 37 agricultural aircraft and the aerobatic Z 50.  From 1990 to 2006 this company was called Moravan a.s. so maybe that is when the Italian Zlin Aviation snuck in).

The Savage was based on the Piper Cub and won the prize for the best ultralight aircraft built from plans at the 1999  Italian Experimental Aviation Association flyin.  Also in 1999 production moved to the Czech Republic.  Zlin Savage aircraft are still manufactured at Napajedla in the South East of the Czech Republic but are assembled in Verona.  A Savage Cruiser model was developed in 2007 followed by the Savage Cub in 2009.  The company has also developed some distinctive variants such as the Bobber which has an exposed rear fuselage, and more recently the STOL Shock Cub.

The Savage and Savage Cub are smaller than the Piper Cub (The Savage wingspan is 30 feet 7 inches against the Cubs 36 feet).  Specifications of the Savage are as follows:  The length 6.39 metres (21 feet) and wingspan is 9.31 metres (30 feet 7 inches) and the wing area is 153 square feet.  Empty weight is around 288 Kg (635 pounds) with a MAUW of 449 Kg (990 pounds) in new Zealand.  With the standard Rotax 912 engine the cruise is around 90 knots with a slow stall speed of 33 knots or even slower in the Shock Cub.

We have had eight Savages and Savage Cubs in New Zealand to date, plus one Shock Cub, and I think we will see more.

Ivan Strathern of Sport Aviation Imports of Hamilton imported the first Zlin Savage ZK-ZAA (c/n 032).  It was first registered to IAT Strathern on 12/1/04.  It is photo'd above at Te Kowhai in 2004 with Ivan topping up the wing tank.  Unfortunately it did not last long as it suffered an accident at Te Kowhai on 10/6/04 when it drifted into a fence during touch and go landings.

It is photo'd above after the accident.  It was was cancelled from the register on 18/1/08.

Ivan Strathern then imported ZK-ZAC2 (c/n 035) and it was first registered to Sport Aviation Imports of Hamilton on 19/12/05.  It is photo'd above at the 2006 SAANZ flyin at Tauranga.  Ownership changed to Micro Air Ltd of Taumarunui on 10/9/07.  It was cancelled as revoked on 28/3/12.

ZK-KSC (c/n 0116) was registered to Millars Machinery Ltd of Christchurch (Kerry Millar) on 1/11/07.  it is photo'd at Rangiora on 22/8/14.

ZK-SCA (c/n 0115) was registered to Brian D Hall of Christchurch on 7/2/08.  I am not sure if these two Christchurch examples came in fully built up or not - can anyone confirm?  ZK-SCA is photo'd at the 2013 SAANZ flyin at Ashburton, on 9/2/13.

ZK-OHA (c/n 0129) was built from a kit by Lars J Fellman of Helensville (actually he lived near the South Head of the Kaipara Harbour), and was first registered to him on 11/3/09.  Sasdly lars Fellman passed away last year and the aircraft was hangared at drgaville for quite a few months, but it has now been re-located to Ardmore.  it is photo'd at the 2009 Black Sands flyin at raglan, on 7/11/09.

After a bit of a hiatus on the New Zealand Zlin Savage front, ZK-ZSC (c/n 281) was imported by Tim Harrison and was registered to his company Sport Aircraft NZ Ltd of Wellsford on 23/10/14.  Tim Harrison became the New Zealand agent for Zlin Aviation S.r.o. aircraft around that time.and he has been quite active since.  ZK-ZSC was our first Savage Cub model and is photo'd above at the 2014 Black Sands flyin at Raglan on 8/11/14.  On 8/2/16 ownership transferred to Michael Gordon of Tauranga.

I think that ZK-KPP (c/n NZS001) was also built from a kit, by Barry NC Mogg of Rotorua and it was first registered to him on 28/11/14.  It is photo'd above at Tauranga very early on in its life, on 4/12/14.  On 2/2/17 ownership changed to Rodd P Hatfull od Waipukurau.

Our second Savage Cub was ZK-DAG2 (c/n 306) which was imported fully built up by Tim Harrison for the ZK-DAG Syndicate of Auckland (David Allard and Garth Hogan).  It was first registered on 7/7/15 and is photo'd above at the 2015 Black Sands flyin at Raglan, on 7/11/15.  I understand that it is based in the Wanaka area.

Recently Tim Harrison of Sports Aviation NZ Ltd imported the latest version to come out of the factory:  a Shock Cub ZK-EUP2 (c/n 338) which was first registered on 27/2/17.  The photo is taken inside the Sport Aviation hangar at Kaipara Flats airfield.

The main differences from the Savage Cub are the undercarriage which is a totally new design with long travel shock absorbers and big tyres, and the all new STOL wing which has double slotted flaps and optional fixed slats.  The wingspan is 9.00 metres and the wing area is 163 square feet.  The performance focusses on STOL with very short takeoff and landing distances claimed, and a stall speed with one up of only 18 mph!  And it can be fitted with engines up to 180 HP.  I hope we will be able to see it at next years Good Bastards STOL competition.

Check out some video of a Shock Cub and other interesting STOL aircraft action at the Valdez 2017 STOL competition in Alaska at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nj-Q7VA_xE#t=95.716583

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