Sling TSi, all metal, 4 seat experimental aircraft, Rotax 915, aircraft review, Airplane Factory

Sling TSi with Rotax 915 aircraft engine

I have to admit my pleasant surprise. This tie-up of Copperstate and Buckeye Air Fair might be exactly what is needed to generate a major show in the Southwestern USA .

Let me be fair. Other West Coast aviation events have interesting qualities but none has ever risen to the level of AirVenture Oshkosh or Sun ‘n Fun. 

Those two dominate general aviation events. Both are “back East.” 

With big pilot and aircraft populations in California, Arizona, and Washington, why have we no major shows in the West? No one I’ve asked can explain the riddle but could Copperstate Buckeye Air Fair be the right combination? 

Only time will tell yet on Saturday, crowds were as thick as Oshkosh, albeit in a much smaller area. City planners offered an airshow and lots for attendees to look at plus the Copperstate trade show alongside the Buckeye Air Fair gave the public close access to pilots operating all manner of light aircraft. 

When Rotax debuted their new 915iS engine at an Oshkosh press conference, Sling designer Mike Blyth raced forward at the end of the conference to closely examine the new power plant. It was clear to me this answered a creation he had in mind and now we can see the fruit of his ambition: the new Sling TSi.

Since the Rotax 915iS remains a powerplant that requires an in-flight adjustable prop, it cannot be used on a Light-Sport Aircraft, but TSi is based on The Airplane Factory’s Sling 4 four seater so kit-built it must be. For Oshkosh 2018, The Airplane Factory USA said, “[We are] excited to present the North American debut of the all-new Sling TSi! 

This kit is the airplane Sling fans have been waiting for!” The Southern California importer said TSi has all of the style, economy and practical utility of the Sling 4 but with more speed.

By Tomas Marrow
I have been waiting 3 months to fly this airplane. It had been away doing airshows and demo flights but finally it was my turn to get my hands on this beautiful new experimental Sling TSI aircraft.

The Airplane Factory really out did themselves when designing this plane. With a climb rate of over 1500 feet per minute and cruise speeds nearing 150 knots, this sure is a thriller that makes you feel like a little kid.

The performance improvements over the Sling 4 is amazing. That Rotax 915is engine is unbelievable. With a rated horsepower of 141hp, turbo charged and fuel injected and all controlled by a FADEC system.

This is true modern technology in an airplane engine and it is clearly expressed in the low fuel burn. Whether you're doing cross country flights or just the fun flip every now and then, this aircraft will always give you that butterfly feeling. In this video we go over all the new features of the Sling TSI and how it differs from it's little brothers.

I hope you enjoy the video.
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