The Sling Squawk – June 2026
7 Jun 2026
“Have you ever dreamed of taking to the skies piloting an airplane only for your dreams to be crushed after realizing how expensive it is to get a pilot’s license and own or rent an airplane? You’re certainly not alone.
There’s no getting passed the cost of learning to fly. Unfortunately, you’re just going to have to stomach that one. Luckily you can spread the cost over about a year of training. However, the cost of a plane? You don’t have too many options… unless, of course, you want to build your own plane.
There are several DIY airplane kits that you can assemble yourself, likely the option with the best bang for your buck. However, they’re still not cheap. One of the more prominent kits is that of the Sling TSi. The kit costs anywhere from $200,000 to $250,000, and then after that, you have to build the plane yourself. It’s estimated that the kit will take 1,500 man-hours, but you do save a ton of money.”
-Trevor English (Interesting Engineering)
After reaching Cape Town in Part 2, Josh Flowers and Chelsea Smith of Aviation101, along with Chris Lammert and Keelyn Costello, reunite with friends and fly their Sling aircraft north from Stellenbosch through the Tankwa Karoo, before crossing into Namibia and exploring the spectacular Fish River Canyon. From formation flying and the Tanqua Kuru Bicycle Race to fireside celebrations and an off-airport landing in the desert, the journey becomes less about following a plan and more about embracing whatever comes next—because sometimes the most memorable part of flying happens after the engine shuts down.