Sling Aircraft Sling TSi
| Sling TSi | |
|---|---|
_(7-29-2023).jpg)
| |
| 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 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.
The Sling TSi first flew in 2018,[2] with kits being shipped to builders[3] in fall 2018.
Design and development
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]During EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2019 the development of a new high-wing variant, the Sling HW was announced.[9]
Specifications (2025 model Sling TSi)
[edit]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: 1,146 lb (520 kg)
- Gross weight: 2,094 lb (950 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 52.04 US gallons (197.0 L; 43.33 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 916iS horizontally-opposed piston aircraft engine, 141 hp (105 kW)
- Propellers: Duc Hélices Flashblack-3-R 4-blade or MT-Propeller MTV-6 3-blade constant speed propeller
Performance
- Cruise speed: 155 kn (178 mph, 287 km/h) true airspeed at 9,500 ft MSL
- 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: 1,000 nmi (1,200 mi, 1,900 km) Best range cruise
- Endurance: 8 hours
- Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,500 m)
- g limits: +3.8g -1.9g [11]
- Rate of climb: 1,200 ft/min (6.1 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
[edit]- Similar aircraft
References
[edit]- ^ a b Sling Aircraft. "Sling TSi Official Website". slingaircraft.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ "Sling TSi Flight Report by Kitplanes". www.kitplanes.com. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ "Sling Aircraft Builders". Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Sling TSi – New Four Place Cruiser". kitplanes.com. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ^ Light Aircraft Association (19 May 2022). "LAA Type Acceptance Data Sheet - TADS 400A - Sling 4 TSI" (PDF). lightaircraftassociation.co.uk. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ "Sling TSi Makes World Debut". wwwa.eaa.org. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ^ Cook, Marc (3 April 2019). "Sling TSi Makes 13.5-hour, Non-Stop Flight from California to Florida". AVweb. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
- ^ "The Sling TSi Makes Impressive Flight To Oshkosh - Midwest Flyer Magazine". Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ Dan Johnson. "Oshkosh 2019… All Done! More Great Light-Sport Aircraft Stories (and Video)". bydanjohnson.com. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ Sling Aircraft. "Sling TSI". slingaircraft.com. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c d "Sling TSi Pilots Operating Handbook". www.slingaircraft.com. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
External links
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