Sling 4 Around the World

Aviation chatter - For ALL Pilots and Aviation Enthusiasts

Moderator: Moderators

User avatar
jpitman
Rolling
Posts: 173
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2010 10:57 am
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 310 times

Sling 4 Around the World

Unread post by jpitman »

For those who are interested, the prototype Sling 4 is eventually taking shape under the watchful eye of the directors of The Airplane Factory in the northern quarter of Hangar 7 at Tedderfield. The Sling 4 is a natural extension of the standard 2 seater Sling.

When Mike Blyth and I flew the standard Sling around the world in 2009 we took off to fly the long legs with 450 litres of fuel and 24 hours endurance. Loaded to capacity the aircraft weighed in at 965 kg, 365kg more than the maximum all up weight as it was then planned . Yet we were flying with only a 100hp Rotax 912 ULS engine. At Pilanesberg, with a density altitude of 7 500 feet the engine was effectively only producing approximately 80 hp, yet the take-off roll was only about 450m.

Our experiences flying that aircraft around the world led us to realise that a standard Sling with a slightly larger wing area and a turbocharged engine would produce a fine four seater. Hence we commenced development on the Sling 4 during mid 2010. Essentially a standard Sling with the wingspan increased by 800mm and the fuselage length increased by 550mm, together with a turbocharged engine and constant speed propeller, the development process has proven relatively painless. The new wings and centre spar have been successfully tested for structural integrity and we have done substantial analysis which suggests that the aircraft will perform well.

What’s more, in the tradition of Airplane Factory prototype testing, the team has decided to again fly the aircraft to EAA Airventure Oshkosh and back by circumnavigating the globe. Until yesterday, 27 June 2011, the plan was to complete the trip flying eastwards. Due to time constraints, however, there has now been a change in plan. Mike and Jean d’Assonville (the third shareholder in the business, for those who don’t know,) will fly the prototype 4 seater to Oshkosh, towards the west, leaving from the Virginia Airshow on Saturday 16 July 2011. The route will consist of 5 legs, with landings at Pointe Noire, Dakar (a 24 hour leg over ocean), the Azores and New Foundland. Jean, myself and Tim Parsonson will return from Oshkosh, travelling west, via Canada, Alaska, the Bering Straits, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, the Maldives and Reunion.

A photograph of the route appears below. For a more precise route download the Google Earth placemark file. Also attached are a couple of photos of the 4 seater as of this morning. As they clearly show, there’s quite a bit of building to happen in the next ten days! Nevertheless, we expect to fly the aircraft between 8 and 10 July 2011. Proving flights are planned to include a longish test flight as well as flights at MAUW in preparation for the first 19 hour leg to Pointe Noire. Meanwhile the instrument panel layout has been finalized and flight permissions are being obtained by Michelle Reinhart of Flight Permits CC in Durban. There’s also a photo of the panel with its two sexy MGL Odysseys below.

Please feel free to post any questions you may have, and until we leave we’ll try to provide updates and answers each couple of days. Once we leave there’ll be daily updates and live satellite tracking, care of Dennis Jankelow and Indigosat technology. Developments will also be posted on the Airplane Factory website at www.airplanefactory.co.za.

Adios
James
Sling 4 rendering three quarter view.jpg
Sling 4 rendering side on - no undercarriage.jpg
Sling 4 wings in progres.jpg
Sling 4 LE gas tanks.jpg
Sling 4 rear fuselage.jpg
Sling 4 ATW panel 2.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
leftseat
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Sling 4 Around the World

Unread post by leftseat »

Good luck guys, will be watching this one closely.

James please tell my buddy Jean that Andy Graham(Light Flight) sends his greetings.
User avatar
Sox
Engine full power confirmed
Posts: 180
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:37 pm
Has thanked: 6 times
Been thanked: 0

Re: Sling 4 Around the World

Unread post by Sox »

You go guys - I am in awe of your achievements to date!
Attitude, Checks and Balances!
"What is understood needs not be discussed" - Loren Adams
User avatar
PJL
Six Tousand
Six Tousand
Posts: 6680
Joined: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:04 pm
Closest Airfield: Pyramid Air Park
Location: Pyramid Air Park-Barberton
Has thanked: 219 times
Been thanked: 103 times

Re: Sling 4 Around the World

Unread post by PJL »

... aha another adventure!! Well done chaps and good luck!!

PJL
To invent an airplane is nothing. To build one is something. To fly it is everything. — Otto Lilienthal

"When once you have tasted flight,
you will forever walk the earth
with your eyes turned skywards."
― Leonardo da Vinci

RV10 Driver
JOLO
Flaps set for Take off
Posts: 98
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:38 pm
Location: Kempton Park
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Sling 4 Around the World

Unread post by JOLO »

Wowwww! Awesome things happening again from team Sling!!!!!!
What motor are we using?
User avatar
richard C
10000 and still climbing
10000 and still climbing
Posts: 10154
Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:02 pm
Closest Airfield: FAGM
Location: Joeys
Has thanked: 1363 times
Been thanked: 946 times

Re: Sling 4 Around the World

Unread post by richard C »

Nice looking aerie (again) !

Good luck ! =D>
Grant all equity and dignity
Richard Cook Consulting Architects (Pty) Ltd
User avatar
Ugly Duckling
10000 and still climbing
10000 and still climbing
Posts: 10461
Joined: Sat Mar 18, 2006 2:24 pm
Closest Airfield: Brakpan Benoni FABB
Location: Boksburg
Has thanked: 1906 times
Been thanked: 2141 times

Re: Sling 4 Around the World

Unread post by Ugly Duckling »

I can only be amazed by you guys =D> =D>
Paul Sabatier
Long time Cygnet builder
The object is to fly, it does not matter what the object is!
User avatar
ZS-ITI
Rolling
Posts: 155
Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2010 10:06 am
Closest Airfield: FASY
Location: JHB/FASY
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Sling 4 Around the World

Unread post by ZS-ITI »

I visited the 'AirplaneFactory' during the Tedderfield Airshow and was truly impressed. This takes it to different level!!!!
Good luck!
User avatar
flysouth
Too Tousand
Too Tousand
Posts: 2223
Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2005 4:16 pm
Closest Airfield: FAGC
Location: Randburg
Has thanked: 1008 times
Been thanked: 238 times

Re: Sling 4 Around the World

Unread post by flysouth »

You are doing some great work here guys! Best of luck!
User avatar
ColdFingers
1k poster
1k poster
Posts: 1070
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2005 9:22 pm
Closest Airfield: FADU Walkersons
Location: Dullstroom countryside.
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 0

Re: Sling 4 Around the World

Unread post by ColdFingers »

Absolutely amazing. You guys have my respect.

Now wouldn't it be great if we could have one of these powering this beauty? Or are they not compatible?
Andy Mills
I'm supposed to respect my elders, but its getting harder and harder for me to find one now.
User avatar
ColdFingers
1k poster
1k poster
Posts: 1070
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2005 9:22 pm
Closest Airfield: FADU Walkersons
Location: Dullstroom countryside.
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 0

Re: Sling 4 Around the World

Unread post by ColdFingers »

OK. Different league me thinks. Smallest Adeptairmotive is 280HP. Sling 4 will have 115HP fitted.
Andy Mills
I'm supposed to respect my elders, but its getting harder and harder for me to find one now.
User avatar
jimdavis
10000 and still climbing
10000 and still climbing
Posts: 19476
Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:46 am
Closest Airfield: George FAGG
Location: Hoekwil, near Wilderness, near George, Western Cape
Has thanked: 2756 times
Been thanked: 4272 times

Re: Sling 4 Around the World

Unread post by jimdavis »

These guys are amazing. I was there only a few days ago. Mike and I went flying in the standard Sling and I was blown away by its performance, handling and cabin space.

They told me about their plans for a 4 seater - and now we see it taking shape. They really get stuck in. =D> =D> =D>

The best of luck to you guys.

Keep us in the picture, and let's have lots of photos.

All the very best - you deserve it.

Jim
IMG_4248.JPG
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
www.jimdavis.co.za for flying text books, and true flying stories.
User avatar
GL
10000 and still climbing
10000 and still climbing
Posts: 10353
Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2005 10:08 am
Closest Airfield: FAHT
Location: Lost for words
Has thanked: 240 times
Been thanked: 706 times

Re: Sling 4 Around the World

Unread post by GL »

They have the amazingly rare ability to never cease to amaze me.
Credo quia absurdum
User avatar
andrem
1k poster
1k poster
Posts: 1234
Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:22 pm
Closest Airfield: FAPX and FYSM
Location: Jeffreys Bay & Swakopmund
Has thanked: 29 times
Been thanked: 38 times

Re: Sling 4 Around the World

Unread post by andrem »

Having fun while doing business: that is an elusive goal that the Sling guys seem to have hit time and again ;-).

And by all accounts a marvellous product - with the 4 seater you suddenly have my attention.

Please tell us about MAUW, fuel consumption and cruise speed.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
User avatar
Captain Durango
Straight and Level
Posts: 549
Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2008 8:08 pm
Location: Hillcrest, KZN
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Sling 4 Around the World

Unread post by Captain Durango »

Well done guys. You certainly get things done. Yet another marvelous example of faith - the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
Fighting comes at a Price....now pick up your teeth and go home!

Only Freighter pilots and hookers work at night

Return to “General Aviation Chatter”