The Sling Squawk – June 2026
7 Jun 2026
So, what is the ideal training aircraft to satisfy the demands of modern-day, high flight time, fixed-wing flight school operations? Well, that depends.
Legacy 60-70s era C172 / PA28 used to be that aircraft. However, the goalposts have moved considerably with today’s demanding flight training requirements. To a point where the typical legacy aircraft of the past can no longer meet these requirements and the call for modern-day equipment is now a necessity.
Enter the new Sling NGT! Based on the tried and tested Sling 2 which has been plying its trade in flight schools both locally and internationally over the past 10 years, collectively these Slings have logged thousands of hours in this environment with some aircraft now exceeding 6,000 hours of abuse. The Sling NGT is an evolution of the brand designed to satisfy the demands of modern-day flight school operations.
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.