The Sling Squawk – June 2026
7 Jun 2026
A South African kitplane manufacturer – The Airplane Factory (TAF) – is going from strength-to-strength, having just announced a brand new aircraft. The new high-wing version of TAF’s four-seater; the Sling TSi, was revealed at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture event in Oshkosh, USA.
The Sling TSi was, itself, a brand new aircraft just a year ago. Company founder, Mike Blyth, said he expected to have a prototype flying by the end of the year. lf that seems impossible – to go from the drawing board to a new model in less than six months – then some of TAF’s other feats will seem like miracles.
The adventure continues! For once, there are no border crossings to navigate, no custom stops, and no major travel plans on the schedule. Just a quiet day at home. Naturally, that doesn’t last long… When Sling Chief Test Pilot, Riaan Denner, has an idea, you know things are about to get interesting. In this episode, Josh and Chelsea take to the skies over Johannesburg for some banner towing, go behind the scenes at the incredible Jonker Sailplanes factory, make a completely unplanned stop to meet a very special young zebra, and then set off on the next major leg of the journey — heading south towards Plettenberg Bay and Cape Town.