Sport Pilot Talk

Jack Tyler

For those who missed Mike & James flying The Airplane Factory's brand new prototype Sling S-LSA around the world in 2009 - only a few days after South Africa certified the aircraft - I thought I'd point out they are at it again. This time, four TAF founders and principals no sooner got their Sling 4 (basically, a 4-place LSA on steroids) approved by SA's aviation authority than off they went again, each pair flying one half the Circle. This time they are east bound.

These are guys who truly know how to have fun. They are also very serious aviation entrepreneurs and accomplished pilots. Some of the video from the Sling Circle was superb, and great fun to watch. The flying OTOH was grueling. You might be able to still find some video segments from that trip at:
http://www.airplanefactory.co.za/

To follow the Sling 4 as it now heads eastbound via its Tracker system, you can start at:
http://www.airplanefactory.co.za/sling4atw_aircraft.asp

Personally, the Sling 4 design seems a bit chunky in appearance to my eye, no doubt a result of form following function. The original Sling LSA is one of the prettiest LSA a/c I've seen, and it gathered an immense crowd Air Venture's 2009 gathering when they were 'passing through'.

Just imagine: Flying off the approval hours on the very first model of a brand new small airplane design, and then immediately flying it around the world. Twice. The only way this could have seemed like a sane choice to them is that they cut their teeth on flying two-axis ultralights throughout Africa and to the Antarctic. Perhaps some of you remember seeing their videos on those trips...