Welcome to my build log!

Welcome to my page. My name is Dave, and I'm building (actually, preparing to build) a Sling High Wing. I started flying in March 2023, got my private pilot certificate in July 2023, and have logged a bit over 300 hours since then. I'm currently flying a 2-seat S-LSA (Aerotrek A-240) that is fun, but slow for cross country flights and I always have to choose between taking my girlfriend or my dog.

I've been watching Sling aircraft for awhile, and based on the kind of flying I do (mountainous terrain and shorter strips at higher altitudes) I quickly narrowed my candidate list to a turbo 182, a Sling TSI, or a Sling High Wing...all turbo-normalized 4-seaters capable of decent short/grass field performance. The two Sling aircraft beat the 182 on the basis of similar or better cruise speed, drastically lower fuel consumption, lower purchase price (assuming modern avionics), lower maintenance costs, and the ease of installing a parachute as insurance against the possibility of an engine out while over mountains. The TSI cruises slightly faster and is slightly cheaper, but the high wing offers much easier loading and unloading, a better view of the ground, and much higher clearance from tall grass bordering remote strips, making it my final choice.