THREE Sling High Wing aircraft flew from Johannesburg to Oshkosh. :
Routing:
- South Africa
- Angola
- Ghana
- Cape Verde
- Barbados
- Florida
- Alabama
- Kentucky
- Oshkosh Wisconsin!
People have accused me of being brave to cross the Atlantic in a single engine aircraft…but isn’t the definition of courage when you are scared to do something, and you do it anyway? I was not scared - so I don’t consider myself brave. I trusted the engine, that is why I chose to build THIS particular airplane. I trusted the airframe - Sling designs exceptional and solid aircraft - and I built it with great assistance, oversight, and expert inspections every step of the way. Finally, I was with an incredible and enjoyable team of people that had done these kinds of trips before.
What I did not count on was the impact our journey was going to have on others. Not till we landed at Oshkosh did I really appreciate how many people were scared for us, followed our every move, and how we inspired people of all ages.
It was a great honor to be a part of this expedition, and I look forward to many more!
- Linda Sollars
Along with the first prototype and the first tail wheel high wings, 6 of us flew from South Africa to the US for the Oshkosh Airventure Airshiow!
Al most 20 years ago, I sold my personal airplane, a very capable Cessna T210, as my focus changed when I went from private to commercial pilot, but always knew I would need a plane when I retired from the airlines. So began my search for my aircraft.
I knew I wanted a high wing airplane. I purchased the T210 in part because a very dear friend of mine that I wanted to take flying would not have been able crawl up on a wing to get into a traditional low wing. But after 20 years of flying that wonderful airplane, I realized the platform has many benifits beyond ingress and egress…. If it is raining you have an umbrella and it doesn't get wet inside when you open the door, I go up in part to look down and love the view, it is stable, easy to get people and adventure gear in and out of….
I knew I wanted it to be affordable to operate and maintain into my retirement.
It had to be capable and fit 4 full size adults, gear, and go far, high, have a descent range, be safe and, critically, fun to fly!
I had flown and was impressed with Sling aircraft, and while I loved how they flew and the performance capabilities, they had put the wings on the wrong side of the fuselage! When I heard the rumor in early 2019 that they had a High Wing version on the drawing board, I KNEW that was my airplane!
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