The Sling Squawk – June 2026
7 Jun 2026
…thanks to a young lady who has just smashed one of the highest world records! Torrance, California (06 November 2025) – Twenty-year-old South African pilot, Shannon Russell, has just flown higher than any woman ever has in her class of aircraft, reaching 32,059 feet in a Sling TSi. It’s a huge moment for a young lady whose record-breaking flight comes with a deeply personal story. One that started long before she ever left the ground.
Shannon grew up watching her inspiration take to the skies fearlessly. Her dad, Sean Russell, was Sling Aircraft South Africa’s Chief Test Pilot. When he passed away in an aircraft accident, Shannon was just 18. Six months later, instead of giving up on flying, she packed her bags and moved to the US, where her dreams in aviation took off.”
– Savanna Dougas (The Good Things Guy)
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.