Epic Adventure!

Intrepid Adventurers

THREE Sling High Wing aircraft flew from Johannesburg to Oshkosh. :

ZU-SHW – The factory ‘Development Prototype’ Sling High Wing, piloted by James Pitman and his mate, Matt Cohen;
N915HW – The first Sling High Wing delivered to a customer, in kit form, and assembled by its American owner, Linda Sollars, here in Johannesburg. N915HW will be piloted by Linda and Mike Blyth;
N669JP – The first Sling High Wing Taildragger delivered to a customer, again in kit form, assembled by its Namibian owner, JP “The Candourist” Schulze, also here in Johannesburg, and piloted by JP and his Australian mate, William

Journey to Oshkosh Airventure 2022!

Routing:

- South Africa

- Angola

- Ghana

- Cape Verde

- Barbados

- Florida

- Alabama

- Kentucky

- Oshkosh Wisconsin!

Epic Adventure

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

The Build

The Search

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.

The Criteria

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!

Sling HW

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!