Sling 4 Around the World

[Scotsman]

The side profile of the Sling 4 (with the new canopy) seems better proportionately than the original sling which was pretty good so good effort again guys!

[JP Schulze]

Great work guys, a true inspiration...

[jpitman]

4 July 2011 - Work on the canopy progresses, Director of Civil Aviation to launch Sling 4 on Tuesday 19 July and around the world departure delayed to 20 July 2011

Since last Friday the canopy blank has been fully prepared, two female canopy moulds cast, two foam canopy door frame cores routed, numerous centre fuselage components drawn, punched out and bent and re-assembly of the wings has commenced following tank seal testing.

While good progress is being made across the board, all substantial projects require both blind faith (to get them started and keep them moving) and also application of dispassionate decision making (to ensure they succeed rather than ending in catastrophe). While it was out plan to depart for the US from the Virginia Airshow in Durban on 16 July, we now believe that it’s too soon and we’ve decided to delay until Wednesday 20 July. With only 5 legs all the way to Oshkosh Mike and Jean still plan to arrive there on 27 July, but of course it is going to mean quite serious hours of flying. And notwithstanding that, if all goes according to plan the Sling 4 will still appear at the Virginia show en route one of its proving flights.

The route to the US is now as follows – Tedderfield to Pilanesberg to clear customs and then direct to Pointe Noire. That’s a 15.5 hour flight. Then the flight to Dakar is a long one, 4 200km around the coast (to avoid politics) which, due to a massive fuel load, will take 24 hours flying. The three remaining legs, to the Azores, New Foundland and Oshkosh come in at only 15 hours each, so that shouldn’t prove too much of a problem. A substantial benefit of the route is that it has only 4 stops en route. Our previous travels in the Sling have demonstrated again and again that the flying is easy and relaxing, it’s the stopping that’s time consuming, stressful and frustrating. So few, long legs really is the way to go. It also costs less because one doesn’t have to pay landing and approach fees as often, one sleeps in the plane, not in a hotel room and so on. Hhhmmm, anyhow, that’s still quite far away yet!

Meanwhile, the launch of the Sling 4 by the Director of Civil Aviation has also been delayed until 10h00 on Tuesday 19 July, the day before we leave. Please any interested parties feel free to attend. Finally, see below the most recent rendering of what the Sling 4 will look like when completed.

Sling 4 rendering 040711.jpg

Annealing the second female canopy mould.jpg

Laying up the canopy frame.jpg

Ryall making sure it'll fit.jpg

[Mags]

Well guys

Realy hope it all work out as planned.I lost the bet,but from my experience with you guys i have set up the next bet allready.


Michiel

[Goose1]

Re: Pilanesberg International
by willy_b » Wed Jun 29, 2011 1:13 pm

I've just heard from a reliable source that ACSA is withdrawing from FAPN Pilansberg as from 01 June 2011. I wonder if what will happen to the emergency services???!!! willy_b

[IanStevens]

Wow you guys really make it happen and continue to instill confidence in your prospective customers. Will definately try and make next Tuesday and still need to make a plan to do that test flight.

Best wishes and safe flying.

Regards

Ian

[Chalkie]

Hi James, check your PM

I have 2 x Immersion suits if you guys need them. New in 2003.

[richard C]

Hi James, check your PM

I have 2 x Immersion suits if you guys need them. New in 2003.

How many times were you planning on ditching Chalkie ?

[Chalkie]

One was for Herr Hengst...

[richard C]

oooeeerr, sorry

[jpitman]

It's been a long and late weekend, especially for Jean and the composites team. But first things first - Thanks to Chalkie for volunteering the use of his and Peter Hengst's immersion suits from their 2003 Oshkosh centenary flight for our trip. It hadn't been hours since a friend had sent through a record of water temperatures in the Bering straits and only minutes since we'd discussed taping up our sleeves and trouser legs in the absence of a better solution, when Chalkie's email arrived. So we've taken up the offer and the suits will get a second chance to do some ocean crossings, hopefully once again without getting to see any water!

Meanwhile things are moving along slowly at the factory. For me, more the paperwork man, the pace on the construction of the plane seems painfully slow. The wings still need the standard leading edge tanks installed, work on the centre fuselage was only commenced this morning (Sunday 10 July) and the panel still looks mostly like a bird's nest of wires! But Jean, Ryall, Ruan, Joseph, Brends and Florence in composites have been working serious hours. The blanks for pulling the canopy perspex over are dry and merely need to be annealed before use and the two main door frames are laid up and ready for finishing. Tomorrow a marathon session on the main canopy frame in which the doors will be housed. Mike assures me that tomorrow, with the full factory workforce available, things will suddenly begin to move more quickly. I promise to report further on that tomorrow.

Our objective remains to fly the ATW plane on Thursday or Friday this week and depart Wednesday or Thursday next week. That will always, however, be subject to safety considerations.

Meanwhile, the Airplane Factory features on Carte Blanche tonight, so if you have a TV (I don't) get before it to watch the action.

Canopy female 2 taking shape under Ryall's eye.jpg

Joseph mixing resin - 2 am Thursday morning.jpg

Jean about to lay up the first of the canopy frame.jpg

Starting work on door 2 - 22h00.jpg

Slign 4 panel 15 minutes in - well done Gareth.jpg

Flight waiting patiently for Jean to finish work - 2am.jpg

[Clicking Mad]

Well done "The Airplane Factory" you do South Africa proud!

Keep up the good work and all the best for the future, you can only go from strength to strength!

[tjop]

Just watched you on Carte Blanche. We are very proud of you all!!!

[Slopehead]

To the Team at Airplane Factory, YOU ROCK!
Russ Conradt
Durban

[Icky]

Just watched you on Carte Blanche. We are very proud of you all!!!

Ditto