Promised Performance Specs Met And Exceeded By First U.S. Aircraft

Sling Aircraft’s Sling TSi, the follow-up to the highly regarded Sling 4 SportPlane, is meeting and exceeding much of the performance criteria promised when the aircraft was authorized for production. The 4-seat TSi joins the Sling two-place line, which includes tricycle geared LSA and Experimental versions as well as a taildragger configuration.

The first U.S. aircraft was shipped to Oshkosh, WI, just prior to the 2018 EAA AirVenture Fly-In and re-assembled on site for display at the world’s largest and most popular aviation event. After racking up some hours in Wisconsin, the turbocharged Rotax 915 powered aircraft flew to its new home in California, under the command of Pilot/Owner Wayne Toddun and has been logging flight hours ever since.

Toddun has been impressed with what the aircraft has done over the last year. “The TSi is doing better than promised… we’re seeing serious improvements in promised numbers ranging from cruise and climb, to range and runway requirements. The numbers I was promised were impressive enough, but what I’m getting, instead, provides an unforeseen and welcome bonus.”  

Real-world performance measured on Toddun’s airplane prove that the Sling TSi is capable of cruise speeds of 148 knots at 9,500’ MSL, along with a takeoff roll of less than 600 feet. The aircraft has already been operated at a heavy-breathing 23,000 feet, while showing initial sustained climb rates of 1,000 fpm, and cruise fuel flows of 7.4 gph. 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,” Toddun said.

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.  The aircraft is on display throughout the event, with limited opportunities for demo and familiarization flights available only with prior arrangement.

The aircraft will also be a featured display during The Airplane Factory’s First Annual Sun ‘n Fun Ice Cream Social, on Friday, April 5th, 2019, after the close of the airshow. In the event of inclement weather, the Ice Cream Social will be rescheduled for Saturday, April 6th.

(Source: The Airplane Factory news release. Images provided and from file)

FMI: www.airplanefactory.com