SLING AIRCRAFT
African Pilot|March 2024
Sling Aircraft is a South African success story. 100% South African designed and manufactured, these aircraft are selling out faster than they can be manufactured. Based in Johannesburg, Sling Aircraft isa Manufacturing Organisation which designs, manufactures and markets the highly acclaimed Sling range of light aircraft and light aircraft construction kits.
SLING AIRCRAFT

The company’s first aircraft, the Sling 2 LSA, is a 2-seat light aircraft which the company spent four years developing and is currently available in three models, the Sling LSA, Sling 2 and Sling Taildragger. Following the worldwide success of the Sling 2 LSA, the company developed a 4-seat variant, the Sling 4, which was launched in 2011. This was followed by the award-winning Sling 4 TSi, a high-performance, turbo sport injected variant of the Sling 4 which was launched in 2018 and has since resulted in the discontinuation of the Sling 4 due to its popularity. More recently, the company launched their Sling 4 High Wing which features all the great Sling handling characteristics combined with the inherent stability of the classic high wing design.

Sling Aircraft is represented globally across six continents via their distributor network, employs a team of over 400 staff across three premises at Sling HQ in Johannesburg, and to date has sold more than 1,300 aircraft.

Sling LSA 

So, what you may ask, is the ideal training aircraft? One that can satisfy the demands of a modern-day high-flight-time fixed-wing flight school operation? Well, that depends on what you are looking for. In days gone by, the Cessna 172 and Piper Cherokee were the go-to training aircraft. However, the goalposts have moved considerably, to the point where the typical legacy aircraft can no longer fulfil the role that flight training in this modern era demands.

This story is from the March 2024 edition of African Pilot.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 2024 edition of African Pilot.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM AFRICAN PILOTView All
ENSTROM Helicopter Corporation
African Pilot

ENSTROM Helicopter Corporation

With crisp handling, well-appointed features, incredibly smooth ride, beautiful style and roomy interior, Enstrom’s line of helicopters offers the attributes of the ultimate luxury sports car and for an unexpectedly affordable price.

time-read
1 min  |
April 2024
CABRI G2
African Pilot

CABRI G2

Helicopteres Guimbal was founded late-2000, with the purpose of developing and certifying the two-seat helicopter Cabri G2.

time-read
1 min  |
April 2024
A-10 demonstration team announces its final season
African Pilot

A-10 demonstration team announces its final season

After more than four decades of performing around the world, the US Air Force A-10C demonstration team announced that 2024 will be its final season. The 355th Wing located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona said the decision was a part of the Air Force’s divestment of the A-10 Thunderbolt Il, affectionately known as the Warthog.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2024
LOCKHEED MARTIN 35A officially certified to carry nuclear bomb
African Pilot

LOCKHEED MARTIN 35A officially certified to carry nuclear bomb

The designation marks the first time that a stealth fighter can carry a nuclear weapon, in this case the B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bomb.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2024
POLIKARPOV I-16
African Pilot

POLIKARPOV I-16

Rare POLIKARPOV I-16 flies again in SPAIN

time-read
3 mins  |
April 2024
KERMIT WEEKS
African Pilot

KERMIT WEEKS

Kermit Weeks acquires unique Boeing Stratoliner houseboat

time-read
7 mins  |
April 2024
GNSS JAMMING AND SPOOFING EVENTS PRESENT A GROWING DANGER
African Pilot

GNSS JAMMING AND SPOOFING EVENTS PRESENT A GROWING DANGER

Last year, reports that fake signals were jeopardising aircraft navigation systems spiked in the area over the Black Sea. First reported by security intelligence organisation OpsGroup, the reports cited false or jammed global navigation satellite system GNSS) signals, affecting the US global positioning system GPS) civil signals, causing aircraft navigation systems to show missing or inaccurate position information.

time-read
8 mins  |
April 2024
HILL HELICOPTER HX50
African Pilot

HILL HELICOPTER HX50

The arrival of Hill Helicopter’s HX50 is set to shake up the world of general aviation, with some of the most interesting technological developments seen in decades.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2024
AVIC'S AC332 LIGHT TWIN HELICOPTER MAKES FIRST FLIGHT
African Pilot

AVIC'S AC332 LIGHT TWIN HELICOPTER MAKES FIRST FLIGHT

China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer Avic announced the first flight of its light-twin AC332 helicopter in Tianjin.

time-read
1 min  |
April 2024
PC-12 SILENT 7 PROPELLER Now with improv ved certified take off performance
African Pilot

PC-12 SILENT 7 PROPELLER Now with improv ved certified take off performance

Due to the smaller diameter the seven-bladed MT-Propeller for the Pilatus PC-12 has more ground clearance for less blade tip erosion and FODs.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2024