A few days ago, I closed a deal on a complete (not completed) Sling 4 Turbo airframe kit. The package has all the sub-component kits as well as the BRS and was too good an opportunity to pass up. The only caveat to this great deal is having to fly out to Indianapolis, load it into a moving truck, and drive it back to San Diego. Did I mention it was a really good deal?
Some of the work on the fuse has already been completed. The parts have been prepped and primed in what looks to be good work. The builder had completed four airplane kits prior to this one, so he had a good idea of what he was doing. Nonetheless, I will need to inspect and inventory everything before completing the payment. Aside from this rather clinical description, I'm very excited.
I took a test flight this March at Torrance with Jean in the Sling 4. It performed better than the PA-28-181s that I was used to. It also handled much better and responded quite crisply to control inputs while feeling very stable. I was easily sold on this plane for a myriad of reasons, the least of which was how well it flew.
As we wrapped the demonstration, factory tour, and my many questions, I asked about their plans for the new Rotax 915 engine. Barry informed me that they were prototyping it in a redesigned airframe that would be available by the Summer and it would be called the Sling TSi. The TSi's performance numbers exceeded that of the Sling 4, cost about $20k more, and became the plane I wanted to build.
When the TSi arrived at Torrance, my wife and I took it for a test flight in September. It had noticeably more power as well as more slip. It wasn't as docile a platform as the Sling 4, but that's perfectly fine with me. I wanted to build and fly one even more.
Several months later (now December) and I happen upon a Sling 4 airframe kit for sale. All of the kit sub-components, including the BRS, were listed at a significant discount. I figured this was a good opportunity to build a great airplane and get some building experience. Also, when completed and proven out, I could still sell and make a hefty profit.
Some of the work on the fuse has already been completed. The parts have been prepped and primed in what looks to be good work. The builder had completed four airplane kits prior to this one, so he had a good idea of what he was doing. Nonetheless, I will need to inspect and inventory everything before completing the payment. Aside from this rather clinical description, I'm very excited.
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| Me and Jean at Catalina with Sling 4 Turbo N981RW |
As we wrapped the demonstration, factory tour, and my many questions, I asked about their plans for the new Rotax 915 engine. Barry informed me that they were prototyping it in a redesigned airframe that would be available by the Summer and it would be called the Sling TSi. The TSi's performance numbers exceeded that of the Sling 4, cost about $20k more, and became the plane I wanted to build.
When the TSi arrived at Torrance, my wife and I took it for a test flight in September. It had noticeably more power as well as more slip. It wasn't as docile a platform as the Sling 4, but that's perfectly fine with me. I wanted to build and fly one even more.
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| The first completed Sling TSi kit (Torrance, CA) |
Several months later (now December) and I happen upon a Sling 4 airframe kit for sale. All of the kit sub-components, including the BRS, were listed at a significant discount. I figured this was a good opportunity to build a great airplane and get some building experience. Also, when completed and proven out, I could still sell and make a hefty profit.
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