The Sling Squawk – 2026 Q1 Update
12 Jan 2026
Dear Slingers across the globe,
As another year of Slinging draws to a close, it feels like a good moment to pause, look back, and then look forward — before someone shouts, “prop clear!” and we’re off again.
2025 has been one hell of a year. We sold 139 aircraft, which is slightly down on last year in pure numbers, but the real story sits beneath the surface. The ratio of Ready-to-Fly aircraft versus kits climbed significantly, changing the shape of our business in a big way.
Early in the year, Trump’s tariff announcements arrived like a slap in the face. With the USA making up roughly 50–55% of our total revenue, it was a major upset for us and forced us to do some very quick thinking and strategising. We didn’t sit and sulk and feel sorry for ourselves, we did what Sling does best — we adapted and we adapted fast.
We entered new markets, appointed a fleet of new distributors across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and repurposed staff across the company to help ramp up Ready-to-Fly production. At the same time, we doubled our focus on markets where we can deliver Ready-to-Fly Sling High Wings and TSis. We also focused on the flight training market and increased sales of our Sling NGT to flying schools. The result was better than we dreamed. It led to a big jump in RTF sales and deliveries and, somewhat ironically, 2025 ended up being our best year ever. Not bad for a year that started with a slap in the face.
Looking ahead to 2026, we’re in for an exciting journey. We’ve got some big events on the calendar, starting with Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany internationally, where we’ll have a stand and where Greg Blyth and I will be joined by our European distributors from Holland, Germany, France, Belgium, and the UK. Then it’s on to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, with the full Sling North America team and Mike, James, and myself flying the flag from HQ. Closer to home, EAA Airweek South Africa is shaping up to be another highlight and a seriously fun long weekend of flying, braaiing (barbecuing), drinking beer, and catching up with the hardcore South African aviators.
On the production front, it feels like we’ve hit critical mass with the Sling NGT trainer. We’re now selling and delivering three to four NGTs per month into the USA for the next year, and five per month locally to Excellentia Airline Academy as they build towards a fleet of 200 Sling trainers. On top of that, smaller flight schools in both South Africa and the USA continue to come on board, which is incredibly rewarding to see. We are anticipating an increase above these sales figures for the NGT, so we are already three meetings down on our next ramp up in production.
Of course, no Sling year would be complete without at least one properly questionable adventure. Mike and James are currently being unusually quiet about their next plan, which generally means something big, slightly mad, and destined to become another Sling Wild Landings film. Watch this space.
Speaking of Wild Landings, towards the end of last year, we released our 20th anniversary film, along with a reflection with Lloyd Ross on the journey from where Sling began to where we are today. It’s been incredibly special to look back at how far we’ve come — and how much fun we’ve had along the way. Thank you, Mike and James, for what you have created for us in Sling. If you haven’t watched it yet, it’s well worth your time.
Finally, a big push for our #TakingYouPlaces campaign. We want to see your Sling aircraft in the most beautiful, remote, and “how-did-you-even-get-there” places on the planet. Tag us in your photos, and each quarter we’ll pick a winner who scores a Sling merchandise pack sent anywhere in the world (maybe not Antarctica) from HQ in Joburg. We’ve already had our first winner — all the way from Australia — so start tagging and show us where your Sling has taken you.
There’s plenty more packed into this edition of the Squawk, so scroll down, watch the videos, read the stories, and enjoy the ride.
Fly good, don’t suck.
Cheers all!
Andrew
Director
