The Sling Squawk – June 2026
7 Jun 2026
Following their 73 flight hours from Johannesburg to AirVenture in July this year, I caught up with the Sling team in Oshkosh as they landed just minutes before the start of the Wednesday airshow. With EAA AirVenture probably the finest opportunity to launch the new high-wing variation of the highly-regarded low-wing Sling TSi, the South African manufacturer did this in spectacular fashion by flying the development prototype, as well as production serial numbers one and two, all the way from Johannesburg.”
– 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.