The Sling Squawk – June 2026
7 Jun 2026
Fitted with the recently released Rotax 916 iS 160 hp engine, I elected to sit in the right seat with James doing the flying. After adjusting my seat and buckling up with the over the shoulder seat belt, I found the environment to be extremely comfortable. Start up was normal for the Rotax engine and taxi to the holding point at Tedderfield Airpark took a few minutes in which time the Rotax engine warmed up.
On reaching the desired engine temperature, James conducted the engine checks and this was where I had my first surprise…”
– Athol Franz (African Pilot)
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.