The Sling 4 TSI and Sling High Wing are both '4 seaters' with a higher useable load than a Cessna 172, altho none of the three are true 4 seaters.
Pilots are looking at all 3 planes for similar useage.
Most non-commercial customers are looking beyond certified and saying what do I get for my money, how does it perform and how long will it last.
The only thing we do not know about Sling is endurance as the company has only been running since 2008.
Sling is where Mosaic is going.
Sling does not appear to have an involvement in this round the world trip.
Look at the numbers, their performance is good across a range of parameters, nobody is saying they are exceptional.
Marketing hype; no better or worse than every other plane manufacturer. Not as over the top as Textron tho.
Yes a Sling 4 TSI with a Rotax 915 is being flown around the world.
Is this not a good thing ? It is more a promotion for Crones disease than Sling.
You probably need to look at all the places Sling have demonstrated their aircraft; good in hot environments, good at attitude (turbo charged), very good economy and range at good speed, good neutral handling, good on grass strips etc etc. Not exceptional but very good in many areas.
And looking at the numbers when you compare a 915 or 916 powered Sling 4 TSI against a Cessna 172 the performance winner (by any measure or in any area) is not the Cessna.
No immediate obstructions, slightly rising terrain but you have the Escarpment 4-5 miles away.
The gusts may not seem like much but they are really inconsistent with a westerly wind dropping down 2500 feet off the Escarpment.
On 26 normally you would depart right crosswind and climb then circle back and head west.
Shellharbours 26/08 runway is 4367 ft.
It has a slight rise where it crosses the main 34/16 runway so you normally try to be off before this.
The schools there avoid flying in westerly winds as it gets gusty and today it was westerly and gusty.
The AD Closed notam has been extended to 1200 Sunday.
Names released
https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/three-people-dead-in-light-plane-crash-in-shellharbour-illawarra-region/news-story/0c40e23f3cb900c95ef6bc8e71b4b9a6
Tumut originally
Tumut north upgrade pic
Tumut south upgrade pic
Looks like they may be getting an AWIS and a different CTAF
Current re-opening date is 21 November (but they have had a few delays previously).
Sling have 3 levels of build;
kit build and quick build both considered amateur built.
Factory built come complete from the factory but with the wings off in a container. As do Bristells.
Slings can be customised with different engines, props, avionics, parachutes, paint jobs, upholsery etc but for factory builds all this work is done in the factory.
I sort of understand the legalities and note a similar situation in the US.
However, there are no structural/engineering differences between them (except perhaps a higher assembly quality in the factory built).
I did not say 'certified' just factory built.
Yes, I believe they are experimental in VH land and Sling Aircraft is the builder.
Obviously CASA considers there to be a difference requiring 'factory built' for school aircraft, although why a factory built aircraft can be registered at 600 kg MTOW but an amateur built can be registered at 700 kg is beyond my understanding.
I am not selling either.
All the specs are available on Slings website - https://slingaircraft.com/aircraft/sling-2/
but the basics for a factory built Sling 2 (912is) are;
Empty weight 380 kg
MTOW 600 kg
Useful load 220 kg
Fuel capacity 150 litres
8-10 hours is pretty typical with full fuel but not achievable with 2 POB.
The airframe life is a bit weird and only applies to Sling 2 in the UK.
There are many Sling 2 with over 3000 hours in South Africa and a few over 2000 hours in Australia.
Factory built;
Sling 2 with
Rotax 912ULS
Garmin G3X Touch efis
Garmin radio and transponder
$270,000 ish
Sling 2 with
Rotax 912is
2 x Garmin G3X Touch efis
Garmin radio and transponder
Garmin GMC507 autopilot controller and servos
Parachute
$330,000 ish
Interesting fact;
you can register a factory built Sling 2 at 600kg MTOW but a kit built Sling can be registered at 700kg MTOW
Currently GAP (the AUS Sling distributor) are on a demo/marketing tour of Western Australia from their base at Heck Field, Queensland.
With their Sling 4 TSI is a customer High Wing and customer TSi (both from NSW). I believe both owners are retired/semi retired and have the time for a trip. They are also helping to sell to others which says a lot about how owners view them.
While they are not cheap at least some pilots think they are worth it.
I do not think you can call flying 3 high wings from South Africa to Oshkosh a stunt. Certainly it had marketing value but only because it showed what they were actually capable of.
Yes, a Sling TSI or HW is getting up there at $550,000 but let’s not forget a new Cessna 172 (with a lower useable load) is now $1.2 mil.
In my search for a reasonably priced USB supply (as above) I only came across no name brands and $600+ devices (like Garmins GSB 15).
I did find a 2 x USB-A 2.4 amp per port (can supply 2.4 to both ports at the same time) supply from Blue Sea Systems.
Blue Sea make a lot of marine 12v components and have good reputation in the marine world.
I also found 2 reviews from plane owners who fitted them saying they did not generate noise.
I have no experience of this supply myself but it seems like it may be worth trying.
- https://www.bluesea.com/products/1045/12_24V_DC_Dual_USB_Charger_4.8A_with_Intelligent_Device_Recognition
The 12v shop have one for $70
- https://www.12volt.com.au/blue-sea-1045-12-24v-dual-usb-4.8a-chargers
Problem is that it is hard to judge the quality and endurance of these chargers.
Maybe pick one that has the same hole size as exists in your panel and suck it and see.
And have a backup;
either a second panel mount USB or if you have a cig lighter plug one of this style or a carry powerbank.