Sling 4 Around the World

[Agent Cooper]

I look forward to welcome fellow SA boys when they land at Whitman Airfield at Oshkosh.

I will supply the beers in the SA camp Scholler.

[Flightstar]

Hoe vorder die bouwerk??

[Athol Terence]

I attended the press conference at the Tedderfield factory yesterday (Tuesday) when the official exchange of photographs and flight suits took place with the acting CEO of the SA CAA Mr Zakhele Thwala was also in attendance. James made his usual eloquent speech that was backed technically by Mike before the reply by the CEO. They are cutting it fine, but knowing what terrific entrepreneurs they are, I am certain that this beautiful four-seat LSA will, grace the Oshkosh skies this year. Like last time there will be a South African contingent to meet them and welcome these brave entrepreneurs to the South African campsite.

The Sling 4 will be flying in its natural aluminium colour, with the composite wing tips and cowlings already painted silver. By today the wings will be installed and by tomorrow (Thursday) I am sure the engine will be started. What an atmosphere in the Airplane Factory? Every member of staff appears to be highly motivated and there is a quiet buzz as they go about their work. This is truly a proud moment for South African aviation that I am sure we all share with Mike, James and their team.

Regards,
Athol Terence.

[Stephan van Tonder]

I am certain that this beautiful four-seat LSA will

By it's definition a 4 seat airplane CANNOT be LSA....

[GrahamW]

More photo's and up to date news on the Facebook page:-

http://www.facebook.com/TheAirplaneFactory

[jpitman]

20 July 2011

I’m afraid in all the excitement we’ve been a bit slack on providing proper updates over the past 48 hours. Not through lack of progress, but perhaps a little bit through frustration at the pace of it.

Yesterday was a great day. We were honoured by the presence of Mr Zakhele Thwala, the Director of Civil Aviation, who came to launch the Sling 4 and bless her in advance of her trip around the world. Sadly the wings were not yet on, but her beauty was nevertheless apparent to all. Mr Thwala was accompanied by Ms Mary Stephens and Mr Piet Fourie of the CAA. Thank you very much Mr Thwala and the CAA for your support for our project. Thanks for your gifts upon the launch of our second baby and special thanks Director Thwala for your kind words which had a noticeable motivating effect upon our staff members – they were delighted by your visit! Thank you also to Neil, Willem and Kevin from RAASA for coming through and particularly for the certificate bestowed upon TAF at the Virginia Airshow on Saturday – again, the staff, let alone the owners of the factory, were over the moon.

Messs Thwala and Fourie with Mike and James.jpg

The whole factory including Mr Zakhele Thwala.jpg

Mike, Jean and Lyle position for fitting.jpg

Following yesterday’s formalities a great deal of work was done on the canopy, instruments and centre fuselage. Ten staff members and helpers worked through the day, the night and then again through today, save only for three and a half hours’ sleep from five thirty until nine this morning. The enthusiasm was palpable, but unfortunately we hit some snags in reaming out the wing bolt holes late last night and that’s taken a great deal of the day to resolve.

So once again we’ve had to slightly move back our expected date of departure for Oshkosh. You need to be an optimist to succeed in any business, but especially so in the aviation business. We remain optimistic that we’re going to depart for Oshkosh before sundown Sunday evening, 24 July 2011. If we do, and providing the weather plays ball, we’ll make it to Osh before the show finale on Saturday 30 July. But if we don’t get away by Sunday 24 July, we’ll take a few days break, reconsider our precise routing, and we’ll circumnavigate the globe the way it’s probably meant to be done – footloose and fancy free, for the hell of it!

Right now we’d like to fly the aircraft tomorrow evening, Thursday, and leave for Oshkosh Saturday afternoon. My honest best bet, however, is that we’ll fly early Friday morning and leave either Saturday late evening or Sunday midday.

More tomorrow!

Cheri and Peter Steere putting sponsorship stickers on late last night.jpg

Every employees name on the side of the plane.jpg

Lyle keeps spirits up late into the night.jpg

Isnt she beautifull....jpg

[ZS-ITI]

Fantastic

Best wishes!

[Alanl]

Well done guys

ZU TAF

with a registration like that surely theres some WELSH Blood in it

Alan

Happy flying
Happy Gliding

[Ugly Duckling]

Give it your best shot BUT don't forget to enjoy the ride even if it's the footloose one

[PJL]

There is no doubting of the desire and commitment to get the Sling 4 to Osh!! I wish you all the best of luck.

PJL

[Sideslip]

The Sling guys might be my competition to a degree, but when I see them arrive at Osh next week I will be wearing my SA hat and not my Rainbow Aircraft hat. It will be a very proud moment for SA aviation.

Go well gentlemen ...... see you there!

Regards, the whole team at Rainbow Aircraft.

[ZSAHT]

Cool! Baie Geluk....!

[jpitman]

18h00, Thursday 21 July 2011 – Great progress and then frustration

It’s been a mixed day. We made awesome progress last night and our machine is now ready to fly, save that we need to wait the full curing period for the bonding agent used to attach the canopy perspex to the frame. The engine is sweet and we had some anxious moments as we weighed her to check the CG properly for the first time. There was great relief as she came in absolutely perfectly where we wanted her. Well done Terry!

Ready to fly ... Isn't she beautiful..jpg

The law in South Africa requires 25 hours of proving flights in any aircraft which uses an “approved or type-certificated aircraft engine”, whereas 40 hours are required where “any other engine” is used. Only the engine is relevant in determining the number of hours required and The Airplane Factory is of the view that on a proper interpretation the Rotax 914 UL engine is an engine approved for aircraft. The CAA, however, has traditionally adopted the opposite approach.

Since it is only possible to make Oshkosh safely and comfortably if ZU-TAF departs on Saturday evening, The Airplane Factory has been gunning for 25 proving hours rather than 40. Due to the CAA interpretation of the relevant section, however, it became necessary to formally apply for an exemption from the 40 hour requirement. Surprisingly that exemption application has been refused - surprisingly given that the engine is approved for use in a number of other aircraft types, that the engine has been comprehensively tested in a number of other standard Slings which are exactly the same as the Sling 4 from the instrument panel forward and also that the identical Rotax 914 UL is in any event also sold as a type certificated engine.

Anyhow, if we are unable to persuade the CAA otherwise tomorrow morning, this unexpected curved ball now makes it very, very difficult for ZU-TAF to get to Oshkosh before the show ends. Nevertheless, in true Airplane Factory style we will soldier on in the hope that if the CAA doesn’t come around, a miracle may eventuate. Perhaps if we fly 40 hours in the 52 hours between 8am tomorrow morning and midday on Sunday (helpful CAA officials have offered to assist us with documentation on the weekend if required) and get away on Sunday evening the earth’s rate of rotation will decrease for a while and we will still be able to make Oshkosh on the final Saturday! Right now we’re working on all possibilities, no matter how narrow, subject always, however, to considerations of safety.

Please hold thumbs.

[Chalkie]

Hi James, Mike and all at TAF,

Your aircraft really looks beautiful. What you need now is a handbrake to slow you down...

Rule number one: (everybody should know this) The take off is optional.

Rule number two: HURRY UP SLOWLY.

Regards, Chalkie.

[Goose1]