Sling 2
Sling Aircraft · South Africa · first flew 2008 · light aircraft
A South African light sport aircraft that proved its mettle by flying around the world, the Sling 2 has become a favourite trainer from Johannesburg to Los Angeles.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.18 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Sleek low-wing two-seater with a large bubble canopy
- Slim tapered wings and a small Rotax engine cowling
- Common around flight schools — often in bright factory paint schemes
A small, sleek low-wing monoplane with a generous one-piece bubble canopy, slim tapered wings, tricycle gear and a neat nose cowl around its Rotax engine. Distinguish it from a PA-28 by the canopy (the Piper has a framed cabin with doors) and its noticeably smaller, lighter airframe.
Specifications
- The Sling 2 has a length of 6.18 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.17 m (30 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 220 km/h (137 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot + 1 passenger.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Mike Blyth and James Pitman of The Airplane Factory (now Sling Aircraft), the Sling 2 first flew in 2008. Within a year the prototype had circumnavigated the globe along the equator — an audacious proof of endurance for a Rotax-powered two-seater — and the type entered production in Johannesburg as both a factory-built LSA and a quick-build kit.
Variants
The original Sling (later Sling 2) was joined by the taildragger Sling 2 TD and progressively refined interiors and glass panels; the larger four-seat Sling 4 and turbocharged Sling TSi grew from the same design DNA.
Where you'll see it
Hugely popular with flight schools in South Africa, the United States and Australia — the busy training circuits around Torrance and Santa Monica in Los Angeles are full of them — and with private owners who build them from kits.
Related aircraft
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