TAF’s Sling ‘Next-Generation Trainer’ Is Today’s Truly Modern Flight Training Platform

At the typical ‘Joe’s Flight School’ seen at many American airports, the average flight training aircraft often doesn’t look so much different than the one your father might have flown… or your grandfather, for that matter.

‘Battle-weary’, dated, poorly equipped, and out of touch with the times, the average flight school Cessna (or its equivalent) is a less than perfect option for a flight student looking to ready themselves for tomorrow’s aviation job.

And while the average used Cessna seems like a bargain when it comes to purchase price, the cost of maintaining an older airframe can quickly make the bargain price look not quite so cost-effective, as maintenance costs add up -- in short order.

The Airplane Factory of Torrance California has an alternative to yesterday’s battered trainers with the new Sling NGT (Next-Generation Trainer), a sporty, modern, FADEC-equipped, training aircraft with a glass panel that is already racking up hundreds of hours at the Sling Pilot Academy—an innovative new flight training establishment that is proving the aircraft’s value and efficiency on a daily basis.

First; the Sling NGT looks like what a modern trainer should look like… with a big, high-visibility sliding bubble canopy, the latest Rotax engine technology, and a brand-spanking new Garmin G3X glass panel -- it has a space-age look while offering outstanding  economics, and yes… solid performance.

With wide side-by-side adjustable leather seating, sporty control sticks, and plenty of baggage area; the fully IFR-equipped NGT utilizes the Rotax 912iS powerplant with FADEC and the option of a ballistic airframe parachute. The Garmin panel is paired with a dual-axis autopilot system that also offers inflight envelope protection.

Add to that… a 120kt cruise, nearly 1000 fpm climb rate, and an economy cruise fuel of under 4 GPH, and the airplane’s energetic, even exotic, looks quickly appear downright thrifty.

As noted, these aircraft are in daily use at the Sling Pilot Academy, proving their durability and performance in a modern, growing, busy flight school that’s logging hundreds of hours a week… but the NGT is about to become available all across the country so that other flight training establishments can take advantage of what SPA has already learned… that the Sling NGT attracts students readily, and then keeps them engaged through the rigors of a professional flight training program than takes them from zero-time to Private, Commercial, IFR and all their CFI ratings in 9 months.

The new Sling NGT is available, well-equipped for serious IFR and Cross-Country flight training, for $202,480.

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

FMI: www.airplanefactory.com