Airplane Company Takes A Cue From The Motorcycle Industry

By David Juwel

When one hears about an airplane named the "Savage Bobber," one might wonder about the name. Does the name come from separate etymologies (two words, two separate meanings) or do the two words form sort of a dual-etymology (multiple words with one meaning)? Maybe the name describes the flight mannerism of the aircraft (crude, wild or ferocious), or perhaps the physical aspects (lacking completion, uncultivated, or rugged). Could it possibly be that its simply expressing its commonality with a fishing bobber that gets so easily tossed around by the currents.

Wondering about the name, and the aircraft they placed it on, is one of the reasons why I looked forward to meeting with Bill Canino, CEO of SportairUSA, They are the distributor for the Savage Bobber. It was in this meeting that I discovered that the aircraft is, indeed, very appropriately named.

Turns out the word "Savage" relates to the fact that the aircraft can efficiently and safely operate in the most savage environment (snow, water, mountains, the bush). They call this type of flying, "The Savage side of the Passion." And the name "Bobber" came from the motorcycle industry. A bobber motorcycle is basically a stripped down, minimalistic, custom made motorcycle. It had the ability to add components that facilitated the needs of the owner, so hardly any two looked alike, except in their stripped down state. As a result of this strategy, a large mass-marketed motorcycle accessory industry developed around the bobber motorcycle, and expanded laterally into other models of motorcycles.

As a creative business venture, the developers of the Savage Bobber are using the same strategy. They're producing a cub-like, go anywhere aircraft, stripped of every superfluous element. Over 90 modifications can be made to the aircraft, according to the customers wants & needs. You can chrome any part of the aircraft except the fuselage. To keep you attached, they use a 4-point harness. The company says they are "customizing aircraft through the client's expression of his own personality and originality, as applied to flight." This is a ready-to-fly aircraft, not a kit, with a low price range starting at approximately $65,000. That means you can get the Savage  Bobber for approximately 35% less dollars than the average LSA, depending on the LSA model you're comparing it with.

FMI: www.sportair.aero