Sidestepping the Hype and Baloney Inherent In SO Much Aviation Communication, TAF Is Going To Let Us REALLY Evaluate the Sling TSi

It’s not lost on many that it has become more and more difficult to evaluate the true capabilities and attributes of today’s aircraft. In an industry that is accompanied by more hyperbole than can be carried by a C-5A, it is incredibly difficult to separate reality from pipedream.

But then again… REAL numbers don’t lie. REAL measurements don’t lie. REAL video is compelling when accompanied by hard, CRITICAL analysis of real data… and may allow today’s potential aircraft buyer to determine what an aircraft can really do… and what it might really do for them. Without the BS.

So… ponder this.

When an allegedly outstanding new airplane enters the market, confounds the skeptics, and demonstrates excellent capabilities, it still has to fight its way through a miasma of baloney uttered by hopeful competitors… UNLESS that machine is willing to endure a hard, discerning, critical examination of what it is, what it does and what it brings to the market. And worse than that, when an airplane with lots of problems gets out there, gets hyped to the max, few actually find about it... and oftentimes, the public is none the wiser...

Need we say... Icon A5???

The Airplane Factory, of Torrance California, has accepted the first of a series of challenges we have made with their new Sling TSi… and while we like the guys and really enjoy their airplanes, we have promised to take NO prisoners.

Working with a certain uncompromising aviation journalist--a graduate of the National Test Pilot School--who has experience in hundreds of these aircraft; TAF is taking on the risk of allowing us to do a test series that will examine the far corners of the operational envelope of the TSi, and the limits of the performance criteria established for the Rotax 915iS powered 4-place airplane. Among other criteria, the aircraft will be flown at full gross weights, high density altitudes, short fields, and both ends of the W&B profile… as well as max operational altitudes, and the limits of what may be expected by the average TSi builder/pilot -- and then we're going to beat it iup a bit. Extensive video and other evidence/documentation will be collected and published to support the results of the final flight test report.

And yes... to coin a phrase from a much beloved Sci-Fi flick... we aim to misbehave...

Real-world performance measured on TAF Partner Wayne Toddun’s airplane, the first TSi in the US, have so far indicated that the Sling TSi is capable of cruise speeds of 148 knots at 9500’ MSL, along with a takeoff roll of less than 600 feet. The aircraft has already been operated at a heavy-breathing 27000 feet, while showing initial sustained climb rates of 1000 fpm, and cruise fuel flows of 7.4 gph. We've seen some of that for ourselves at ANN... but how does it do when the environment is less optimal... can the airplane STILL measure up?

Wayne adds that, “Simply put, I know of no other modern kit aircraft offering such economical performance, and with a roomy four seat cabin, that doesn’t skimp on passenger comfort. We hope that this test will demonstrate all that, and more, without question.”

Toddun seems confident... but we're going to REALLY put that to the test...

The first US-registered Sling TSi made the journey to Florida for the 2019 Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In, April 2nd-7th in what turned out to be a truly tough 14 hour non-stop flight through some miserable weather and conditions. Later, on the way to Oshkosh, another non-stop from CA to WI allowed the TSi to demonstrate a max altitude of 27,000 feet enroute.

BUT... what's coming up may be the biggest test of all... stay tuned for more details. This is going to be fun... and is but the start in a series of test exercises that will challenge a number of interesting airplanes and other flying machines.

FMI: www.theairplanefactory.com