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 twenty-five days, countless flights, three countries and more adventures than we ever could have planned for, the African flying adventure of Josh Flowers and Chelsea Smith of Aviation101, along with Chris Lammert and Keelyn Costello, has reached its final chapter. But there’s still plenty of Africa left to explore…