The Sling Squawk – June 2026
7 Jun 2026
“Homegrown Sling Aircraft is acknowledged as a South African success story for aircraft design and development capability. Co-founders Mike Blyth and James Pitman have based their development of the range on the heart of the aircraft, the Rotax engine, as well as the increasing demand in international markets, particularly the US.
In the Smoke On…Go! Talk Show series brought to you by Pratt & Whitney Canada, Sally Fleck sat down with James for a fascinating insight into how this aircraft manufacturer has captured global attention through development by flying the aeroplanes and understanding their capabilities.”
– Chris Buchanan (Smoke On Go)
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.