The Sling Squawk – June 2026
7 Jun 2026
“Today we got our first chance to fly the new High Wing Sling, two different versions, in fact! Sling has been flying the tricycle-gear version for quite a while now and has considerable experience with it. The taildragger version is newer, having been finished more recently, and is still undergoing some tweaking when it comes to gear location and tailwheel installation. But we can report that they are both very good aircraft, with a great deal of engineering expertise behind them that shows.”
– Paul Dye (Kitplanes Magazine)
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.