The Airplane factory cannot advise or make any recommendations on this topic due to legal circumstances. Follow your dreams!!

Without getting too graphic, we had tubes, funnels and plastic bags!!! Sounds just lovely right?

At times we were very scared. When you’re out over the open ocean, thousands of miles from the closest land mass it is very nerve racking. Especially when it’s dark out and there are storms all around you. But you learn very quickly to rely on your instruments and the airplane that you built. We were very comfortable with both our own and our airplane’s abilities. And listening to the purr of the Rotax engine was reassuring throughout the trip.

2009 Sling LSA: The longest flight on this journey was between Conakry, Guinea to Belem, Brazil. The distance was 2,513 miles (4,044 km) and lasted 21 hours.
2011 Sling 4: The longest flight on this circumnavigation was between Cabo Frio, Brazil and Cape Town, South Africa. It covered 3, 866 miles (6,222 km) and lasted 27 hours.

The Sling LSA and Sling 4 were both outfitted with extra wing tanks. In order to support the extra weight, 15 extra layers of glass were added to the wings. Other than that, the ‘Around the World’ Slings were the same as standard production aircraft.

Please contact us at info@airplanefactory.com for more information on becoming a part of our dealer network.
We will be announcing our dealer network as it grows so contact us for current info.

Yes. However, because the back of your Sport Pilot License reads “Holder does not meet ICAO Requirments” you are not authorized to fly into another country at your whim. Concurrently with the authorization that you will have to get for your LSA, you will also need to receive authorization from the host country to allow a Sport Pilot Certificate holder to fly in their airspace. It has been done before many times and will not hold you back from accomplishing your dreams.

With the appropriate authorizations from the country you intend to fly into, an LSA is capable of circumnavigating the globe as our founders Mike Blyth and James Pitman proved back in 2009.

The LSA category of aircraft is slowly catching on throughout the world and many countries have either started to adopt it or are researching the impact that a LSA category would have on the state of their respective aviation industries. The Airplane Factory recommends that you contact your Civil Aviation Authority to determine the correct status of LSAs in your country.

Training will depend on several factors, including availability of aircraft, the students determination and flight instructor availabltity.

Yes. The Airplane Factory will be offering familiarization flight training with each Sling LSA sold. Also, once you have built your Sling 2 E-LSA we can provide instructional training on the performance and handling of the aircraft. Please contact us for more info regarding this training. Training will take place at a location of our choosing but we will consider convenience for our customer before making such a decision.

Yes. You can become a Light Sport mechanic in as little as 3 weeks thanks to a New Rule by the FAA. You may take the 120 hour LSRM course in order to do major work. Or you could become an Inspector for Light Sport Aircraft in just one weekend. This would allow you the ability to do Annual Condition Inspections for Light Sport Aircraft.

If you build your own Sling and get issued an Experimental-Amateur Built Airworthiness Certificate you can also receive a home-builder’s certificate and this will allow you to do all of your own work and inspections.

The benefit of an E-LSA is recognized fully in this question. Because an E-LSA is built using the plans of a factory built Sling LSA (with a S-LSA rating) but licensed under experimental, this means that the owner can perform all of his own maintenance and be flying the exact same machine as the S-LSA. This advantage is for the pilot who wants to use his plane strictly for personal pleasure and also wants the ability and freedom to perform his own service.

Service may be performed by any mechanic who holds a Light Sport Repairman Certificate (LSRM) or higher rating, such as Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic, as long as the manufacturer has given authorization to these individuals to do the work. A&P mechanics are the most experienced and can be found at about any airport across the country. For this reason, The Airplane Factory recommends using an A&P to perform any work on your S-LSA. However, the owner of a Sling LSA who holds a Sport Pilot Certificate or higher can perform their own preventative maintenance. This includes things such as, oil changes, tire changes and fluid replenishment. Please consult FAR Part 43 Appendix A for full definitions of Preventative Maintenance.

Delivery will take place at a dealer location in certain geographic regions or at a location of our choosing. Convenience for the customer is at the top of our priority list when considering delivery sites. Details will be stipulated in the Order Form and Purchase Agreement, but can be negotiated by the customer. Please contact us for more info at info@airplanefactory.com.

Insurance is up to the owner of each aircraft. We recommend contacting the EAA or the AOPA for the most affordable insurance options.

We recommend ordering straight through us since we have a direct line to the factory in South Africa and all operations in the United States are coordinated by the US Headquarters.

Check our Packages Link under each aircraft for available options.

Typically The Airplane Factory can get your order to you within 6 months. If there is ever an issue with delivery times you will be notified and given the option on how to proceed.

Terms and Conditions can be found on the second page of the Sling Order Form & Purchase Agreement.

Step 1: Request a Quote Form or fill one out online and send it in
Step 2: We will send you back a quote in combination with our order form and purchase agreement
Step 3: If you accept the offer, send us back a signed copy of the order form and purchase agreement with your deposit
Step 4: Receive an estimate for delivery date
Step 5: You will be notified of the progress on your Sling.
Step 5: Take delivery of your Sling

The Airplane Factory Headquarters in the US will have a Sling available for flight testing at Torrance Airport in Los Angeles, California.

If you ordered a Sling LSA then The Airplane Factory will contact you to figure out what N-number you would like on your aircraft and we will actually take care of the registering process for you. However, if you are building one of the Sling kits then registering will be left to you when you finish your build and testing. You can find the FAA N-Number database on their website and even reserve your number now if you wish. Once you have completed your build you can contact you local Designated Airworthiness Representative to schedule an inspection and he will be able to help you finish the process.

The Airplane Factory has initiated a Quality Assurance program at the Headquarters in South Africa and in the United States to ensure that we are delivering high quality, safe aircraft. From the beginning of manufacture to the end of production and delivery the Sling is monitored and tested to ensure safety. There are many highly advanced aviaonics systems aboard each Sling that help avoid trouble as well as ballistic parachutes being installed for the last ditch scenario.

The Magnum 601 Ballistic Parachute is used in the case of an unrecoverable aircraft. When this parachute deploys it allows the entire aircraft and its occupants to descend slowly and safely all the way to the ground. The parachute is activated by pulling a lever inside the cockpit. The parachute is only to be used in the event of total loss of control. In this case, it will deploy in just a few seconds and you will ride the canopy to the ground.

Yes. Sport Pilots are still required to receive the same level of training as a Private Pilot with 40 hours, other than night flying! They must know, understand, and be able to correlate all facets of flight from Preflight planning to flight principles, aircraft operations, navigation, regulations, weather systems, and communication. It is really up to each person and their instructor to decide if they are a safe and competent pilot before signing them off to fly solo.

Planes want to fly. They’re made to fly! However it is up to the pilot to be well-versed in the operation of the aircraft and its systems to keep it airborne. Statistics have shown that most General Aviation accidents occur as a result of pilot error, and they occur during the landing phase of flight. So how do you make aviation safe? Become the most knowledgeable and diligent pilot that you are capable of becoming. If you concentrate on doing the right things the majority of the time then the likelihood of you ever getting into a dangerous situation is very small. Don’t ever get complacent!

All Rotax engines have a TBO of 2,000 hours.

Expected fuel economy is about 4-5 Gallons per Hour. This translates to about 25-30 Miles per Gallon when compared to your family car. As you can see this is actually a highly efficient vehicle and very low on fuel costs.

The Rotax engines will operate effectively and efficiently on 100LL AVGAS or 91 Octane MoGas.

The Airplane Factory uses Rotax engines for all of its airplanes. Currently, we use the 912ULS for the Sling LSA and Sling 2, and the 914UL for the Sling 4.

Once built and licensed under the Amateur-Homebuilt Certification you can fly your Sling 4 anywhere you want, assuming you have the correct pilot license to accompany your desired actions.

On average, The Airplane Factory is estimating a first time builder to require about 1,500 man hours to build a Sling 4. We know this sounds like a lot but when compared to the average 2,000 man hours required to build an RV-10, that’s a big difference.

The Sling 4 can only be issued an Experimental-Amateur built Airworthiness certificate.

Call us to find out all your options. We can help you over the phone with small problems that you may encounter. We are also in the talks of setting up a program where we will be able to host builders for seminars, classes, or actual builds. In addition we have a Youtube Channel at www.youtube.com/TAFSlingBuild for building videos. Lastly, we will be setting up an owner’s forum to discuss construction or other questions. Please contact us to find out the most current details.

Kit Only

No. There are no limitations at this time on your Sling 2 Kit other than those found in the Operating Handbook, such as, No Intentional Spins or Aerobatics!

Once built and licensed under the E-LSA or Amateur-Homebuilt Certification you can fly your Sling 2 anywhere your heart dreams of going, assuming you have the correct pilot license to accompany your desired actions, and you have any necessary approvals from host countries if you wish to cross any borders.

Depending on the method that you choose to build your Sling it can either be licensed as an E-LSA or an Amateur-Homebuilt aircraft. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Registering as an E-LSA means that you followed all factory specifications and will operate the aircraft according to all published manufacturer limitations. Also, with this type of certificate the factory can build up to 99% of the aircraft and you can put the finishing touches on her. Also, there are no restrictions as to who may help with the build. You could also elect for the Experimental-Amateur Built  certification. This will give you a bit more freedom with your build and any required maintenance down the line.

The estimated build time of a Sling 2 is about 700-900 hours. About the same as a Van’s RV-12.

Call us to find out all your options. We can help you over the phone with small problems that you may encounter. We are also in the talks of setting up a program where we will be able to host builders for seminars, classes, or actual builds. Checkout our Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/TAFSlingBuild. We will also be setting up a builder’s forum for these purposes. Please contact us to find out the most current details.

No. You must open the canopy by sliding it to the rear along an aluminum track. The dangers of this are too great to say that this is a safe operation for the Sling.

Yes. The Sling is currently approved for IFR flight training but we do not recommend operation in IMC conditions.

Yes. Properly equipped the Sling LSA can fly at night. As long as you comply with the licensing requirements of the FARs and the airplane complies with FAR 91.205.

Yes. The Sling is a great airplane for backcountry flying due to its performance characteristics. Short and soft field takeoffs and landings are easily accomplished with this airplane. Just ask the guys in South Africa landing all over the countryside on unimproved strips and game reserves.

The Sling’s Standard Useful Load is 526 lbs. More than enough to carry 2 grown adults and fuel for extended periods of time.

We use MGL Avionics in all of our Sling LSAs. We have been working with and using MGL products for many years and find their instrumentation to be extremely reliable and customizable in order to fill all of the customer’s requirements.

The Sling LSA will burn about 4.5 Gallons per hour of operation on average. However, when in the economical cruise settings we recommend for longer cross-country trips the Sling will only burn about 3 Gallons per Hour.

The Sling LSA will carry 2 people comfortably.

Range: The range of the Sling LSA is approximately 800 NM with standard wing tanks.
Fuel: The Sling will carry 19.8 Gallons in each wing tank for a total of 39.6. 38.6 usable

The S-LSA version of the Sling can and we believe, should be used for flight instruction and training purposes.

The Sling LSA is ordered as a Ready-to-Fly aircraft and will be issued a S-LSA Airworthiness Certificate.

Mike Blyth, one of The Airplane Factory founders spent countless hours over a two year period designing, tweaking, and perfecting The Sling. Once he had found the design he wanted to go with, he brought in an ex-military aerodynamicist to give the aircraft the small adjustments it needed to fly like a high performance airplane. Once you fly a Sling you will ask yourself “why would I ever want to fly another airplane.” That is how good The Sling’s handling has become after 2 years of painstaking although enjoyable design work by our own Mike Blyth.

The Sling is a very capable aircraft with minimal operating and maintenance costs. Its capabilities have been proven time and time again all over the world. It has been flown on long ocean crossings, throughout the entire continent of Africa and most of Europe, it has been landed both on and off runway, and it has a useful load suitable for carrying two people on a long vacation (granted they should probably pack light). It outperforms most other LSAs in the industry both on paper and in the air. Try a Sling, it’s not just a Fling!

No. None of The Airplane Factory airplanes are certified at this time. Type 23 certification is an expensive, and time-consuming process that is reserved for only the largest of Airplane Manufactruers, such as Cessna, Piper, and Boeing. The Airplane Factory believes it can have a greater impact on the aviation community by remaining in the LSA and Experimental categories, at least in the meantime that is.

The Airplane Factory has orders for just over 100 aircraft since beginning  production in 2009 and has delivered more than 60 at this time. Not too mention many more kit productions!

The Airplane Factory ships all kits and Ready-to-Fly Slings via boat to the Port of Los Angeles where they clear customs, load onto a truck and are brought to the US Headquarters staging area for certification and registration prior to delivery.

Sling LSAs are produced at The Airplane Factory Headquarters in South Africa. All parts for kits are also machined at this location. However, The Airplane Factory is toying with the idea of setting up an assembly line in the United States in the near future.

Well let’s be honest, “if two separate companies set out to produce the best LSA in the industry, the end product is going to look very similar no matter who you are. And the capabilities of such an aircraft will not be substantially different.” With that being said, The Airplane Factory has prided itself on being a relatively small company and intends on staying that way. In this way we can differentiate ourselves from much larger, impersonal organizations. In staying small we can make sure that we give our customers the attention that they deserve and hire people who will uphold our standards for quality workmanship and customer service. When dealing with The Airplane Factory you will receive personal attention from one of our very experienced and knowledgeable team members.

Yes. Depending on your location you are more than welcome to come tour our facilities. We welcome our customers anytime during business hours. Please email info@airplanefactory.com or call 310-721-9190 to schedule an appointment. We will try our best to have our Sling available for viewing during your visit.

South Africa: Tedderfield Airpark, Hangar 7, Johannesburg, South Africa
United States: Torrance Airport (KTOA), Torrance, CA

2006

Yes. If properly equipped the Sling works well as an Instrument Flight Trainer because it is capable of everything larger aircraft are but for half the costs. You can do all your hood time relatively cheap as compared to a larger Cessna.

Yes. The Sling LSA can be used to do your Private Pilot Training, so if you become a Sport pilot in the Sling there is no extra flight time required to get trained up on a completely different aircraft. This, in turn, saves you time, money, and effort!

Priviledges:

• May act as PIC of a LSA
• May share operating costs with a passenger, Must pay at least half

Limitations:

May not act as PIC:

• Carrying pax or property for hire
• For compensation or hire
• In furtherance of a business
• While carrying more than one passenger
• At night
• In class A airspace
• In B, C, or D airspace unless have appropriate endorsement in 61.325
• Outside the US unless have authorization
• To demo aircraft to a prospective buyer
• In a passenger airlift sponsored by a charitable org
• Higher than 10,000MSL or 2,000 AGL, whichever is higher
• Viz less than 3 miles
• Without visual reference to the surface
• If aircraft has Vh greater than 87 kts, unless you meet 61.327(b), or Vh less than 87 kts unless meet 61.327 (a)
• Contrary to any operating limitation placed on the airworthiness cert of the aircraft
• Contrary to any limit on your pilot cert or medical cert
• Contrary to any limi on your DL
• While towing an object
• As a pilot flight crewmember on any aircraft requiring more than one pilot

You can get your license in half the time and generally half the costs of a PPL. All of the flight time acquired when obtaining your Sport License can count towards higher certificates so you have the chance to decide if aviation is really for you before sinking extra money into the sport. You only fly during the day, below 10,000 feet in good visibility and in recreational areas where accidents are less likely to occur. Also, the view is typically more beautiful in this light.

No. The rule requires EITHER a valid driver’s license or a 3rd class medical. Any limitations on the driver’s license must be complied with when flying

Written Test
Complete required sport pilot training
Pass the Checkride

20 hours flight instruction
15 dual
2 hours x-country
10 Takeoffs and landings to full stop with flight in Traffic Pattern
3 hours prep for test within 60 days
5 solo
1 x-country-75 NM with landings at 2 points and 1 leg >25NM

17 years old (can begin training at 16)
Valid State Driver’s License
Proficient in English
Evidence of medical eligibility: either a 3rd class FAA medical certificate or a valid driver’s license.*
*assuming you didn’t apply for and were denied a medical
*assuming you do not knowingly have an issue that would preclude you from safely operating an airplane

Yes. If properly equipped according to FAR Part 91.205 (c), and the pilot-in-command is certificated to fly at night.

No. Since LSAs do not fall under the same requirements or monitoring characteristics of larger, Type 23 certified aircraft like Cessnas, ADs will not be provided. However, according to ASTM standards the manufacturer of each LSA is required to disseminate mandatory Service Bulletins, Safety Alerts and Notifications. Every owner will be apprised of this knowledge and required to sign up for our in-house safety monitoring.

It stands for Special-Light Sport Aircraft. LSAs can fall into one of two categories: E-LSA (experimental) or S-LSA (special). E-LSAs require some assembly by the owner depending on the degree of E-LSA the owner is after. S-LSAs are factory built aircraft and conform to all of our specifications as well as international design and manufacturing standards. The Airplane Factory Slings can be sold as either a kit E-LSA or factory built S-LSA. The S-LSA designation allows the owner special priviledges, such as offering flight instruction in his aircraft whereas the E-LSA cannot offer the same benefits. Please call us if you need further explanation of the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

No. Ultralights fall under a completely different category that arose out of the hang glider and ultralight airplane industries. They have much different criteria and the FAA doesn’t require any training in order to fly ULs.

Yes. Anyone holding a Sport Pilot Certificate or higher can fly an LSA

Max Occupancy: 2
Max Gross Takeoff Weight: 1320 lbs
Max Stall Speed: 45 knots
Max Continuous Speed (Vh): 120 knots
Single Reciprocating Engine
Fixed Landing Gear
Unpressurized Cabin

The FAA released this rule in late 2004 in order to help lower the barriers to entry in aviation and bolster the state of the industry.