One of the most exciting parts of building an airplane—besides, you know, actually flying it—is deciding how it will look. Unlike buying a factory-built plane where you’re stuck with whatever the manufacturer offers, the Sling TSi gives me complete freedom to design a custom paint scheme that reflects both style and practicality.

To bring this vision to life, I partnered with Evoke Aircraft Design, known for their exceptional aircraft livery work. Throughout multiple iterations, Evoke’s designer, Chris, worked closely with me to refine the concept, ensuring the final design was simple, elegant, and cost-effective. I also worked with Barry and Carlos from The Airplane Factory, who provided invaluable quotes and insight into the paint process, helping me make an informed decision.

The Design Process – Step by Step

From the start, I knew I wanted a clean and modern look, something that wouldn’t feel overly busy or gimmicky. The challenge was balancing aesthetic appeal, paint complexity, and long-term maintenance considerations.

Choosing a Color Scheme

After exploring different ideas, we settled on a Grey, Blue, and Black palette—colors that offer a sleek, professional, and slightly aggressive look. We tested various shades and combinations to ensure they complemented the Sling TSi’s lines and overall aerodynamics.

Refining the Design

Chris at Evoke Aircraft Design was fantastic to work with—quick to incorporate feedback, experiment with different layouts, and keep the design aligned with my vision for simplicity and elegance. After several refinements, we landed on a scheme that looked bold, yet timeless.

Cost Considerations

One of the biggest surprises during the process was how much paint costs can vary depending on:

• Complexity of the design (simple stripes vs. intricate graphics).

• Number of colors used (each additional color adds cost).

• Type of paint (metallic, solid, or specialized finishes).

To get a realistic understanding of pricing, I worked with Barry and Carlos from The Airplane Factory, who provided quotes for different design options. While some highly intricate schemes were tempting, the price jump for complex patterns and metallic finishes was significant.

Choosing Solid Paint Over Metallic

While metallic paint can look stunning, I ultimately opted for solid colors to simplify future touch-ups and repairs. With a cross-country mission in mind, I want an airplane that’s easy to maintain over time, and solid colors make it much easier to blend new paint when needed.

The Final Design

After multiple design iterations, cost evaluations, and discussions with Evoke Aircraft Design and The Airplane Factory, I landed on a paint scheme that’s clean, stylish, and practical. The final result captures the modern, high-performance nature of the Sling TSi without overcomplicating the execution.

Big thanks to Chris and the Evoke Aircraft Design team for their expertise, responsiveness, and patience throughout this process. Thanks also to Barry and Carlos at The Airplane Factory for providing quotes and insight into the painting process—their input helped make this decision far more straightforward.