Sling Aircraft Sling TSi

The Sling TSi is a South African four-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt aircraft sold in kit form by Sling Aircraft of Johannesburg South.^[1] It was developed from the Sling 4.

Sling TSi
Role	homebuilt aircraft
National origin	South Africa
Manufacturer	Sling Aircraft
First flight	2018
Introduction	2018
Developed from	Sling Aircraft Sling 4
Variants	Sling Aircraft Sling HW

The Sling TSi first flew in 2018,^[2] with kits being shipped to builders^[3] in fall 2018.

Design and development

The aircraft was developed in 2018. The Sling TSi is an all-metal, low-wing, fixed tricycle gear homebuilt aircraft. The airplane is equipped with the new Rotax 915iS engine and was the inspiration for the designation of TSi. Parts of the wings and fuselage were reinforced and outfitted with flush riveting for increased strength and reduced drag over the Sling 4.^[4]

The UK Light Aircraft Association has limited the airframe safe life to 1600 hours due to a stress point in the wing design. Additionally, the LAA has deemed the flight characteristics unsuitable for flight in IMC.^[5]

Operational history

The first Sling TSi in the USA was shown at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2018.^[6]

In a review for KitPlanes, writer Paul Dye said, "...it lives up to its design goals. We flew with four full sized adults from a field with a density altitude of 9,000' and had to throttle back to keep from exceeding redline when we leveled off at 10,000. Later, operating off of a dry lakebed in the high desert, with temperatures of 100 degrees, we never had to worry about engine cooling - and it handled like a fine touring machine."^[4]

A company demonstrator Sling TSi flew non-stop from Torrance, California, to Tampa Executive Airport on its way to Lakeland, Florida for Sun 'n Fun 2019 in 13.5 hours. The aircraft carried an additional 30 U.S. gallons (110 L; 25 imp gal) of fuel over the normal 45 U.S. gallons (170 L; 37 imp gal) long-range tanks and benefited from tailwinds en route.^[7]

In July 2019 the company did a ceiling expansion test and flew non-stop from Torrance, California to Wittman Regional Airport to attend EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for 9.75 hours. The aircraft reached a final height of 27,000 feet.^[8]

Variants

During EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2019 the development of a new high-wing variant, the Sling HW was announced.^[9]

Specifications (2020 model Sling TSi)

Data from manufacturer^[1][10]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: three passengers
• Length: 23.54 ft (7.17 m)
• Wingspan: 31.3 ft (9.5 m)
• Height: 8 ft (2.4 m)
• Wing area: 134.2 sq ft (12.47 m²)
• Aspect ratio: 7.9
• Empty weight: 1,080 lb (490 kg)
• Gross weight: 2,094 lb (950 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 52.04 US gallons (197.0 L; 43.33 imp gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 915iS horizontally-opposed piston aircraft engine, 141 hp (105 kW)
• Propellers: 3-bladed Airmaster Propellers electric constant speed propeller

Performance

• Cruise speed: 148 kn (170 mph, 274 km/h) true airspeed
• Stall speed: 48 kn (55 mph, 89 km/h) full flaps, indicated airspeed^[11]
• Never exceed speed: 155 kn (178 mph, 287 km/h) indicated airspeed^[11]
• Range: 880 nmi (1,010 mi, 1,630 km) 75% power with 45 minute reserve
• Endurance: 8 hours
• Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,500 m)
• g limits: +3.8g -1.9g ^[11]
• Rate of climb: 1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s)
• Wing loading: 16.91 lb/sq ft (82.6 kg/m²) ^[11]

Avionics

• Garmin 10-inch G3X touch EFIS
• Garmin G5 backup EFIS
• Garmin GTR 200 airband radio
• Garmin GTX 35R remote aircraft transponder
• Garmin GA28 autopilot system with Garmin GAD 27 multifunction system interface
• Garmin GMA 245R Bluetooth Audio Panel.

See also

Similar aircraft

• Alpi Pioneer 400
• Issoire APM 40 Simba
• Vans RV-10