Savannah SR

The Savannah SR is the newest and most capable series in ICP's Savannah family from Castelnuovo Don Bosco in Piedmont – a restyling of the Savannah S that ICP markets as its flagship. The key point is the certification basis: the DAeC ultralight authority lists the type approval under LTF-UL-600 in data sheet 66170, issue 1 dated 19 July 2023. That lets the SR operate at 600 kg takeoff mass instead of the 472.5 kg of the older Savannah series. ICP states that it holds ISO 9001 certification; certification to EASA CS-23 Amdt. 5 is, by the company's own account, a goal it is pursuing for the Ventura type and has not yet been granted.

Like every Savannah, the SR is built in riveted all-metal aluminium: high wing with cruciform tail, fixed nosewheel gear and tractor engine, two side-by-side seats and a baggage compartment behind them. The wing spans 9.03 m over 11.88 m², with a 1.32 m chord, an aspect ratio of 6.8 and a modified NACA 65-018 aerofoil. The fuselage is 6.60 m long and the cabin, according to a dealer, 110.6 cm wide at elbow height. In Germany only the Rotax 912 S/ULS is listed, with DUC Hélices or E-Prop three-blade propellers; dealers additionally offer the Rotax 912 UL and 912 iS. Standard fuel capacity is 78 l (2 × 36 l wing tanks plus a 6 l collector), expandable to 90 l or 150 l per the manufacturer, and the approved rescue systems are the BRS-6-1050 SP and Junkers Magnum 601. Options include wheel spats, three tyre sizes, electric flaps and dual controls.

The data sheet speeds show how far the SR has moved from the slatted original: VNE 230 km/h CAS, 203 km/h at maximum continuous power, 183 km/h in rough air, 149 km/h manoeuvring speed, a 104 km/h flap limit and a 64 km/h minimum speed. ICP additionally quotes a design cruise speed VC of 180 km/h – a certification parameter rather than a measured cruise figure; no dependable manufacturer figure for the SR's practical cruise speed is available. ICP gives load factors of +4/-2 g, and the flaps have two settings, 13.5 and 27 degrees. Loading is tightly regulated: maximum 110 kg per seat, pilot mass between 70 and 200 kg and no more than 20 kg of baggage behind the seats. With a dealer-quoted empty weight of around 315 kg, the 600 kg class leaves generous reserves for fuel and luggage.

Strengths: the 600 kg approval and thus the most practical payload in the Savannah family, modern flap design, large fuel options giving roughly eight hours of endurance per dealer figures, a wide cabin, good visibility and the familiar rugged all-metal airframe with current factory support. Weaknesses: as a new type the SR is the most expensive model in the range and rare on the used market; ICP publishes no dependable takeoff and landing distances, climb rate, range in kilometres or fuel burn for the SR – the frequently quoted 50 m and 75 m apply to the Savannah S only; and only a single engine option is entered for Germany.

The Savannah SR is the aircraft for pilots who want the Savannah's STOL genes without counting every kilogram: two adults, baggage, full tanks and still short strips. Anyone looking for a cheaper way into the family will find the Savannah S or VG considerably more affordable. Across all ICP listings on ul-flugzeugmarkt.de, asking prices span €17,500 to €100,000, with newer SR examples at the upper end; the price overview on this page calculates the current range live from the listings.