SUPAIR Savage 2 size MS (73-93). “The mood changer”

SUPAIR Savage 2 size MS (73-93). “The mood changer” 

Supair released its new EN-C class glider, replacing the first version of the Savage.  The Savage 2 is a light and hybrid (2.5) line configuration glider that should play at the same level as the NK Artik 7 P.

At the same time, I was delighted to test flying the Skywalk Poison 4 and the X-Alps 6 in the EN-D class, due to the excellent handling they deliver. Now flying the Supair Savage 2 as an EN-C, I think I was blessed to have even a higher step with the ability to dance with the Savage 2, thanks to its impressive, pleasurable handling. How lucky :-)! 

Launching the very light Savage 2 at 91 all up is super easy, as those light gliders deliver an effortless rise.  In the case of the Savage 2, I didn’t feel any dynamic surges, but a docile and easy-to-launch glider. In 30 km/h windy take-offs, it has the dynamics of a C class, but is still very well balanced and easy to control.  

I flew the Savage 2 with the regular Arrow harness. First turn is ( simply...outstanding) 

The brake pressure is on the light side. You need approximately 15 cm to steer the glider, which reacts promptly and swiftly to the pilot's inputs. I liked the Artik 7 P turn, and the Savage 2's turning is just as good, with that butterfly feel under the brakes! So light and responsive!  Getting thermals under the Savage 2 is a total delight! What a beautiful glider to fly in thermals! It's like you don’t want to glide away! You want to squeeze that extra turn, and the Savage 2 does corkscrew, any thermal core, relatively narrow if the pilot wishes. Even in turbulent air, the authority on the brakes is excellent, enabling the pilot to place the Savage 2 wherever he wants inside the air mass. 

One day, after some mind-numbing workdays, I was flying a two-liner, known for its average handling. Still feeling tired, landed, and took the Savage 2 for a spin. After a few minutes in thermals, the Savage 2 feels and handles so beautifully that my mood shifted, and I enjoyed some good XC!  That Savage 2 gave me the pleasure of flying like nothing else. 

The overall movements in pitch and roll are moderately present but still on the dampened side; it doesn’t feel like it bumps into thermals. Instead, it's definitely in the 2.5 line category.  I could feel what the air is doing as the Savage 2 moves on a low movement axis—just the necessary feedback for a sensible pilot to enjoy and feel what’s going on around you. 

Flying for hours won’t make your hands feel tired at all. As I mentioned earlier, the roll movement is there to give you the exact feel in thermals. It's not dampened, nor alive. 

On another day, I was test-flying the new Skywalk X-Alps 6 95+ size, which has good handling, and afterward, I gave it to my friend Milo, who flew it next to me on the Savage 2. Of course, I am not comparing those two gliders, which are intended for different pilot profiles, but it's a good way for me to assess the performance and efficiency of the Savage2. I don't have an Artik 7P available at the moment.

 Gliding in calm air at trim and also at full bar impressed us both! The Savage 2 demonstrated excellent gliding performance for its class. Even at full bar, the glide is phenomenal! We liked it a lot!  The full speed is around 16 km/h over trim! With an excellent glide angle! Hat’s off to Supair for that! 

I also did some glides with other two-liners of higher aspect ratio, and I think the Savage 2, with its hybrid configuration and 6.2 aspect ratio, is not easily left behind. 

What also surprised us was the climb rate. Flying later with different gliders and some of my references for climb, the Savage 2 proved to be a climbing beast! If there’s no heavy air or headwind, it was climbing better than most two liners! Yes…it climbs superbly well… It seems that every weak lift is grabbed by the Savage 2 and converted to climb. It's efficient in weak lift. 

But for sure, when the air is heavy, and in front of a valley breeze, the two liners have the upper hand to surf forward that airmass and climb faster.  As for the 2.5 line Savage2, it actually does more than we asked of it! 

Gliding also, through a headwind, gave the Savage a perfect rating and could easily glide, or possibly outglide, some entry-level two-liners with an aspect ratio of around 6.  

The overall feedback is close to the Artik 7P in pilot demand.  Don’t expect it to be dull and tame.  The Savage 2 will provide educational communication within the airmass. 

There are no excess but fair movements in all axes for a good C pilot. 

Ears can be done with outer A’s. They are stable and reopen without pilot intervention. They could also be done with outer C’s; they are very easy to maintain and reopen quickly once released. Both are efficient to get down.

Conclusion:

Supair didn’t introduce a 2liner yet—instead, a delightful to fly 2.5 line hybrid construction glider. The climb, glide, and speed are excellent. The fun factor it delivers is the optimum gift.  

He who designed and fine-tuned the handling on that Savage two must be a sensible and skilled pilot to deliver that beautiful glider responsiveness! 

If you are the pilot who doesn’t want to get into those two-liners, the Savage 2, with a 3.5 kg payload and a compact packing volume, is a friendly user machine for any expedition, hike, or flight adventure with loads of performance. 

If you are sensitive to handling and brake responsiveness, which makes you feel the glider is an extension of your arms, the Savage 2 is the strongest key. And be sure that whatever flight you take, a big smile is surely guaranteed.