What is a Sling 4?

About the project.  After completing my first experimental amateur built (E-AB) aircraft, which is a Sonex 2-place aluminum low wing light sport, my wife mentioned it was too bad the plane wasn't big enough for the family to all fly in.  We discussed selling the Sonex and getting a used certified airplane (i.e. a Cessna or similar).  Stepping back from a new airplane I can work on to a 40-50 year old plane only a certified aircraft mechanic can touch...wasn't that interesting to me.

After researching the various 4-place "kit" aircraft currently offered, I narrowed my search down to then Van's RV-10, a Cozy MkIV, and a newer entry to the market - The Airplane Factory's "Sling 4".

This airplane has flown around the world twice since it's inception in 2011, and is developed in South Africa.  They have a US distributor based in Torrance, California, who are affiliated with MGL Avionics (I have their EFIS and COM radio in my Sonex).  See the company website for more details:  The Airplane Factory

I found this to be a very interesting airplane and project.  Modern, efficient, attractive, roomy, great range and load capacity.   Turbo Rotax 914 UL, giving 120 knots, at less than 6 gph.  1000 mile range and service ceiling of 15,000'.

Stay tuned and follow my built blog as we build our dream project...

Empennage kit arrived to my hangar at MRT

The empennage (tail surfaces) kit arrived today.  I slid it into the hangar and opened the crate to see what was packed inside.  Everything looks nicely packaged all the way from South Africa (via Torrance, California).  Now the fun begins, first task is inventory then building a new workbench and getting organized for the build at the hangar.

Flying in my Sonex N629SX

The weather was really nice today so I continued on my Phase 1 flight testing of my current experimental, a Sonex serial #1629 (N629SX).  Flew for 1:15 a heading north from my home airport MRT (Union County Airport) in Marysville, Ohio towards Lake Erie.  Today I was testing the service ceiling of the aircraft and AeroVee 2180 engine.  Reached 9,050', engine still had life to climb higher, but my mixture needs to be richened up to help keep the CHT's down.  Very busy out here today...notice all of the targets on my iPad/ADS-B!

Ordered the Sling 4 Empennage kit

Placed my order for the first sub-kit for the Sling 4.  The empennage kit was shipped on 9/22/2016 from The Airplane Factory in Torrance, CA and should arrive in Columbus, Ohio on 9/27.