Airplane Factory SLING 4 Owner's manual

Airplane Factory SLING 4
Pilot Operating Handbook
Page | ii
DC-POH-001-X-C-3 Revision : 1.3
Aircraft model: Airplane Factory Sling 4
Manufacturer: The Airplane Factory (Pty) Ltd
Aircraft Serial Number: ………………………………………..
Date of Construction: ……………………………………….
Registration: ……………………………………….
Issue Date: 2014/11/10
PLEASE ADVISE THE AIRPLANE FACTORY ON CHANGE
OF OWNERSHIP OF THE AIRCRAFT
This aircraft must be operated in
compliance with information and
limitations contained herein. This
pilot’s operating handbook must be
available on board the aircraft at all
times.

Airplane Factory SLING 4
Pilot Operating Handbook
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NOTICE
THIS MANUAL IS WRITTEN FOR THE STANDARD SLING 4, AS MANUFACTURED
ON PREMISES BY THE AIRPLANE FACTORY (PTY) LTD.
AIRCRAFT WHICH DIFFER FROM THE PRODUCTION STANDARD, IN WHATEVER
WAY, ARE NOT ADDRESSED IN THIS MANUAL, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SAID
AIRCRAFT CORRESPOND WITH THE PRODUCTION STANDARD.
NOTICE
THIS EDITION OF THIS MANUAL IS APPLICABLE TO AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN
THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA. DEFINITIONS ARE ACCORDINGLY
CONSISTENT WITH RSA REGULATIONS ONLY.

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Pilot Operating Handbook
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DC-POH-001-X-C-3 Revision : 1.3
RECORD OF REVISIONS
Any revisions to this Pilots Operating Handbook must be recorded in the
following table, and, where applicable, be endorsed by the responsible
airworthiness authority.
Revision numbers appear at the foot of each page.
Revision
No.
Affected
Section
Affected
Pages
Date of Issue
Approved by
Date of
approval
Date
inserted
Sign.
1.1
All
All
2013/12/01
M. Blyth
2013/12/01
2013/12/01
1.2
All
All
2014/05/16
M. Blyth
2014/05/16
2014/05/16
1.3
All
All
2014/11/10
M. Blyth
2014/11/10
2014/11/10

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Pilot Operating Handbook
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Pilot Operating Handbook
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Pilot Operating Handbook
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Pilot Operating Handbook
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Pilot Operating Handbook
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. GENERAL INFORMATION .......................................................................... 1-1
2. LIMITATIONS............................................................................................. 2-1
3. EMERGENCY AND ABNORMAL PROCEDURES ........................................... 3-1
4. NORMAL PROCEDURES............................................................................. 4-1
5. PERFORMANCE......................................................................................... 5-1
6. WEIGHT AND BALANCE............................................................................. 6-1
7. SYSTEMS ................................................................................................... 7-1
8. AIRCRAFT GROUND HANDLING AND SERVICING ...................................... 8-1
9. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ............................................................. 9-1

Airplane Factory SLING 4
Pilot Operating Handbook
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1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Introduction to aircraft ............................................................................. 1-3
1.2 Warnings, cautions and notes .................................................................. 1-4
1.3 Aircraft 3-view drawing ............................................................................ 1-5
1.4 Data for the Sling 4 aircraft and systems .................................................. 1-6
1.5 Terminology, symbols and conversion factors........................................ 1-11
1.6 Supporting documents ........................................................................... 1-16

Airplane Factory SLING 4
Pilot Operating Handbook
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DC-POH-001-X-C-3 Revision : 1.3
1.1 Introduction to aircraft
The Airplane Factory Sling 4 is a four seat (two pairs of side-by-side seats),
single engine, fixed tricycle undercarriage (with steerable nose wheel)
aluminum aircraft (of semi-monocoque construction) with a conventional
low wing design.
The aircraft design is based upon the FAA FAR 23 certification standard,
having a maximum all up weight of 920 kg (2028.25 lb). Notwithstanding
that the aircraft design is based upon the FAA FAR 23 certification standard,
the aircraft has not been demonstrated to comply with all the provisions of
the standard.
The Sling 4 is intended chiefly for recreational and cross-country flying. It is
not intended for aerobatic operation. This Pilot Operating Handbook has
been prepared to provide pilots with information for the safe and efficient
operation of the Sling 4.

Airplane Factory SLING 4
Pilot Operating Handbook
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DC-POH-001-X-C-3 Revision : 1.3
1.2 Warnings, cautions and notes
The following definitions apply to warnings, cautions and notes in the Pilot
Operating Handbook.
Means that non-compliance to the corresponding procedure leads to
immediate or important degradation of flight safety.
Means that non-compliance to the corresponding procedure leads to minor
or possible long term degradation of flight safety.
Draws attention to any special item not directly related to safety but which
is important or unusual.
WARNING
CAUTION
NOTE

Airplane Factory SLING 4
Pilot Operating Handbook
Page | 1-5
DC-POH-001-X-C-3 Revision : 1.3
1.3 Aircraft 3-view drawing
Note that dimensions in this drawing are
in millimetres .

Airplane Factory SLING 4
Pilot Operating Handbook
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DC-POH-001-X-C-3 Revision : 1.3
1.4 Data for the Sling 4 aircraft and systems
WING
Span: 9 930 mm (32.58 ft).
Area (gross): 13.12 m² (141.22 ft²).
Aspect ratio: 7.52.
Dihedral: 5°
Tip washout: 2°
Aileron area: 0.62 m² (6.7 ft²).
Flap area: 1.26 m² (13.6 ft²).
HORIZONTAL STABILIZER
Span: 2 820 mm (9.252 ft).
Area: 1.05 m² (11.3 ft²).
Aspect ratio (with elevator): 3.69.
Angle of incidence: -1.45°
Elevator area: 1.04 m² (11.2 ft²).
VERTICAL STABILIZER
Span: 1 325 mm (4.35 ft).
Area: 0.532 m² (5.73 ft²).
Aspect ratio (with rudder): 1.92.
Rudder area: 0.60 m² (6.5 ft²).

Airplane Factory SLING 4
Pilot Operating Handbook
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DC-POH-001-X-C-3 Revision : 1.3
FUSELAGE
Length: 6 220 mm (20.41 ft).
Width: 1 188 mm (3.9 ft).
Total aircraft length: 7 125 mm (23.36 ft).
LANDING GEAR
Wheel track: 1.95 m (6.4 ft).
Wheel base: 1.68 m (5.51 ft).
Brakes: Hydraulic.
Main gear tyres: 15x6.00-6, 6-ply
(2.5 bar (36.26 psi) pressure).
Nose gear tyres: 5.00-5, 6-ply
(1.8 bar (26.11 psi) pressure).
CONTROL SURFACE TRAVEL LIMITS
Ailerons: 22° up and down.
Elevator: 28° up and 20° down.
Trim tab: 5° up and 25° down.
Rudder: 25° left and right.
Flaps: 0° to 30° down.

Airplane Factory SLING 4
Pilot Operating Handbook
Page | 1-8
DC-POH-001-X-C-3 Revision : 1.3
ENGINE
Manufacturer: Bombardier-Rotax GmbH.
Model: 914 UL.
Type: 4-Cylinder horizontally opposed, turbocharged,
1211.2 cc displacement, mixed cooling (water-
cooled heads and air-cooled cylinders), twin
carburettors, integrated reduction gearbox with
torque damper.
Maximum power: 85.76 kW (115 hp) at 5 800 rpm
(maximum 5 minutes).
74.6 kW (100 hp) at 5 500 rpm (maximum
continuous).
PROPELLER
Manufacturer: Airmaster.
Model: AP332.
No of blades: 3.
Diameter: 1.83 m (72”).
Type: Composite, constant speed.

Airplane Factory SLING 4
Pilot Operating Handbook
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DC-POH-001-X-C-3 Revision : 1.3
FUEL
Fuel grade: Minimum RON 95 / minimum AKI 91.
MOGAS: EN 228 Super, EN 228 Super plus,
ASTMD4814.
Leaded AVGAS: AVGAS 100LL (ASTM D910).
Unleaded AVGAS: UL91 (ASTM D7547).
(Refer to the latest revision of the Rotax engine
and operator manuals and the latest revision of
Rotax service instruction SI-914-019).
Fuel tanks: 2 Wing tanks, one tank integrated within each
wing leading edge, each tank equipped with
finger strainers (in pick up line) and drain fittings.
Capacity of each tank: 84 litres (22.19 US gallons).
Total capacity: 168 litres (44.38 US gallons).
Total usable fuel: 164 litres (43.32 US gallons).
OIL SYSTEM
Oil system type: Forced, with external oil reservoir.
Oil: Automotive grade API SG (or higher) type oil,
preferably synthetic or semi-synthetic.
(Refer to the latest revision of the Rotax engine
manuals and the latest revision of Rotax service
instruction SI-914-019).
Capacity: 3.5 Litres / 7.4 pints (approximately).

Airplane Factory SLING 4
Pilot Operating Handbook
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DC-POH-001-X-C-3 Revision : 1.3
COOLING
Cooling system: Mixed air and liquid pressurized closed circuit.
Coolant: 1:1 Ethylene glycol based coolant and distilled
water mixture or waterless propylene based
coolant. (Refer to the latest revision Rotax
engine manuals and latest revision of the Rotax
service instruction SI-914-019).
Capacity: 2.5 litres / 5.28 pints (approximately).
MAXIMUM WEIGHTS
Maximum take-off weight: 920 kg (2028.25 lb).
Maximum landing weight: 920 kg (2028.25 lb).
Maximum baggage weight: 35 kg (77.16 lb).
STANDARD WEIGHTS
Standard empty weight: 490 kg (1080.27 lb).
Maximum useful load: 430 kg (947.99 lb).
SPECIFIC LOADINGS
Wing loading: 70.12 kg.m-2 (14.3617 lb.feet-2).
Power loading: 8.0 kg.hp-1 (17.637 lb.hp-1).

Airplane Factory SLING 4
Pilot Operating Handbook
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DC-POH-001-X-C-3 Revision : 1.3
1.5 Terminology, symbols and conversion factors
General terminology / acronyms
AC
Alternating Current
AHRS
Attitude and Heading Reference System
AKI
Anti-Knock Index
ALT
Altimeter
API
American Petroleum Institute
ASI
Airspeed Indicator
AVGAS
Aviation gasoline
COM
Communication (radio)
EFIS
Electronic Flight Information System
FAA
Federal Aviation Authority
FAR
Federal Aviation Regulations
GLS
GPS Landing System
GmbH
Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (company with limited liability)
GPS
Global Positioning System
IFR
Instrument Flying Rules
LED
Light Emitting Diode
MOGAS
Automobile (car) gasoline
NGL
Normal Ground Line
NRV
Non Return Valve
POH
Pilot Operating Handbook
PTT
Push-To-Talk (button)
RSA
Republic of South Africa
RON
Research Octane Number
VFR
Visual Flying Rules
VMC
Visual Meteorological Conditions
VSI
Vertical Speed Indicator

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Pilot Operating Handbook
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DC-POH-001-X-C-3 Revision : 1.3
General airspeed terminology and symbols
IAS
Indicated Airspeed.
KCAS
Calibrated Airspeed, being the indicated airspeed corrected for
position and instrument error, expressed in knots.
KIAS
Indicated Airspeed, being the speed shown on the airspeed
indicator, expressed in knots.
KTAS
True Airspeed, being the airspeed, expressed in knots, relative to
undisturbed air, and which is KCAS corrected for altitude and
temperature.
TAS
True Airspeed.
VA
Maneuvering speed.
VBG
Best Glide Speed, being the speed (at MAUW) which results in the
greatest gliding distance over the ground.
VFE
Maximum Flap Extended Speed, being the highest speed
permissible with wing flaps deployed.
VH
Maximum Speed in level flight at maximum continuous power.
VLOF
Lift-off Speed, being the speed at which the aircraft generally lifts
off from the ground during take-off.
VNE
Never Exceed Speed, being the speed that may not be exceeded at
any time.
VNO
Maximum Structural Cruising Speed, being the speed that should
not be exceeded, except in smooth air, and then only with caution.
VREF
Indicated airspeed at 15 m (50 ft) above threshold, which is not less
than 1.3Vso.
VROT
Rotation Speed, being the speed at which the aircraft should be
rotated about the pitch axis during take-off (i.e. the speed at which
the nose wheel is lifted of the ground).
VS
Stall Speed, maximum weight, engine idling, flaps fully retracted.
VSO
Stall Speed in landing configuration (flaps fully extended), MAUW,
engine idling.
VX
Best Angle of Climb Speed, being the speed (at MAUW, flaps fully
retracted) which results in the greatest altitude gain over a given
horizontal distance (i.e. highest climb angle).