Zlin Savage…Isn’t; Fun, Lower-Cost Cub-like LSA

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Zlin Savage is a surprisingly cooperative and easy-handling taildragger with low stall speeds, belying its "savage" name and challenging only those new to tailwheel aircraft.
  • An upcoming "Sport" bushplane option will introduce significant reinforcements, extended gear for Alaskan Bushwheels, and optional features like a belly pod for rugged flying.
  • The Savage offers a cost-effective alternative, allowing buyers to add options and still spend less than with competitors like Legend or CubCrafters.
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Given how she flies, I really don’t know why the Zlin developers settled on the name Savage.

It simply isn’t “savage” despite being a taildragger that challenges some tricycle-gear-trained pilots.

Sure you’ll need training or prior experience to qualify for insurance but it’s no more challenging than Legend Cub, Sport Cub, or Rans’ S-7LS. Savage exhibits very cooperative handling down to low stall speeds (below 40 mph indicated). You can read a sidebar or look for full-length articles to be posted on this website.

Coming next for Zlin’s Savage is a bushplane option perhaps to be named the Sport. The new model will include reinforcements to withstand the rigors of bush flying and landings on rougher surfaces. Additional X bracing has been added, the gear extended three inches to allow huge Alaskan Bushwheels (photo), plus you can order a belly pod for camping gear. If you want floats, you should select the left side door option.

But since Savage is much lower priced than Legend or CubCrafters, you can add several options and still spend less. According to expert Cub pilots another option worth considering, especially for bush flying, is vortex generators.

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