Both the dual stick CH701 and the Savannah, has electric flaps. I'm sure it's all fine and well for most of us, but if someone insisted on having manual flaps, how difficult would it be to have a custom made central flap handle? I haven't built nor modded any aircraft, and not yet had the chance to have a look inside either of the two. I've flown Savannahs and sat in a CH701 and like them both quite a lot. But I have a very strong preference for the classic layout of flight controls: dual sticks and central flap handle.

Make it strong enough to work properly. In older Cessna 140 and recently in Jeff in N.C.'s Highlander, the handle kept kicking out of its knotch. I understand the value of the manual flap for jumping into low ground effect. While I approve getting into low ground effect before the airplane will fly out of low ground effect (as early as possible), using the flaps to jump up requires more airspeed than necessary to just use the elevator to get up in most airplanes including the Cessnas and the Highlander.

I suggest trying using elevator to get into low ground effect as early as possible. Once up use dynamic proactive elevator to bracket level in low ground effect. It probably doesn't look as good on video as the pull the flaps technique, but is more efficient. The one Savannah I flew in with a BCP pilot did fine with the flap technique, but it would also almost hover out of ground effect.

Flaps are efficient for the basic low ground effect takeoff in most airplanes. Setting them before takeoff roll works just fine if we use the elevator to get into low ground effect as soon as airplane will fly in low ground effect. We are after as much acceleration in low ground effect as possible. On long runways more low ground effect acceleration is possible with no flap at all. It is efficient to use all available low ground effect possible.

Thanks for the insight and solid info!

I should mention that another reason for not wanting electric flaps, is because I live in a maritime climate and I think it suits my skills and knowledge better. I prefer mechanical solutions, as the condition will be more apparent from a visual inspection (atleast to me). Unless the pilot has the needed competence, I'd say it would likely also be more reliable.

With proper care and knowledge, I have no doubt electric solutions can just as good and in many circumstances better as mechanical!