Engineering:The Airplane Factory Sling TSi
| Sling TSi | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | homebuilt aircraft |
| National origin | South Africa |
| Manufacturer | The Airplane Factory |
| Introduction | 2018 |
| Developed from | The Airplane Factory Sling 4 |
The Sling TSi is a South Africa n four-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt aircraft sold in kit form by The Airplane Factory of Johannesburg South.[1] It was developed from Sling 4.
The Sling TSi first flew in 2018, with kit delivery commencing in the fall of 2018.[citation needed]
Design and development
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.[2]
Operational history
The first Sling TSi in the USA was shown at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2018.[3]
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."[2]
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.[4]
Specifications (Sling TSi)
Data from manufacturer
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 3 passengers
- Length: 23 ft 5 in (7.14 m)
- Wingspan: 31.3 ft (9.5 m)
- Height: 8.2 ft (2.5 m)
- Wing area: 134.2 sq ft (12.47 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 7.9
- Empty weight: 1,080 lb (490 kg)
- Gross weight: 2,095 lb (950 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 45 US gallons (170 l; 37 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 915iS horizontally-opposed piston aircraft engine, 141 hp (105 kW)
- Propellers: 3-bladed Airmaster Propellers electric constant speed propeller
Performance
- Cruise speed: 155 kn (178 mph, 287 km/h)
- Stall speed: 42 kn (48 mph, 78 km/h)
- Never exceed speed: 160 kn (180 mph, 300 km/h)
- Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,500 m)
- g limits: +4g -2g
- Wing loading: 15.1 lb/sq ft (74 kg/m2)
See also
- Similar aircraft
- Alpi Pioneer 400
- Vans RV-10
- Sling 4
References
- ↑ "Sling TSi Aircraft - Unrivalled Performance". http://airplanefactory.co.za/aircraft/sling-tsi/. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Sling TSi – New Four Place Cruiser". 7 September 2018. https://newsline.kitplanes.com/2018/09/07/sling-tsi-new-four-place-cruiser/. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ↑ "Sling TSi Makes World Debut". https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/eaa-airventure-news-and-multimedia/eaa-airventure-news/eaa-airventure-oshkosh/07-27-2018-sling-tsi-makes-world-debut. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ↑ Cook, Marc (3 April 2019). "Sling TSi Makes 13.5-hour, Non-Stop Flight from California to Florida". AVweb. http://flash.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Sling-TSi-Makes-135-hour-Non-Stop-Flight-from-California-to-Florida-232548-1.html.
External links
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