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Continue reading →: MOSAIC Is Here: The FAA’s Long-Awaited Leap Into Modern AviationTL;DR: The FAA just issued MOSAIC—Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification—a long-overdue overhaul of how we build, fly, and think about light aircraft. It expands Light Sport Aircraft limits, opens new doors for Experimental Amateur-Built (E-AB) builders, and gives pilots more flexibility. It doesn’t fix everything, but it’s the most significant…
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Continue reading →: From Concept to Cockpit: Finalizing My Sling’s Avionics PanelTL;DR: After months of configuration decisions, I’ve officially approved the final avionics panel for my Sling TSi. Designed and built by the talented team at Midwest Panel Builders, this setup brings together modern ergonomics, crisp integration, and future-facing flexibility. Here’s a guided tour of what’s on the panel—and why I…
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Continue reading →: Blades of Glory: 3 vs. 4 on the Sling TSiTL;DR When One More Blade Makes You Think Twice Sling Aircraft recently introduced the DUC FlashBlack and TigerBlack 4-blade propellers as a factory option for the Sling TSi, marking a notable shift in the aircraft’s configuration choices. Until now, Sling builders have predominantly selected 3-blade constant-speed propellers, such as the…
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Continue reading →: Vectors for Growth: A Pilot’s Guide to IFR Checkride RecoveryIn June 2025, I passed my FAA instrument checkride. But not on the first try. That’s right—my journey to the instrument rating came with a little detour: a disapproval notice. The FAA equivalent of a red card. And while it stung, it also taught me some of the most important…
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Continue reading →: Instrument Rating, Rated: My Favorite (and Least Favorite) IFR Study ToolsI’m approaching my instrument checkride, and along the way, I’ve tried more resources than a Cirrus has cupholders. Some were game changers. Some… let’s just say I wish I could log that time under “lessons learned.” This post is my attempt to give future IFR students a clearer path—one that…
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Continue reading →: Factory Build Assist and the 51% E-AB RuleWhen I decided to build a Sling TSi, I chose to do it through the Factory Build Assist Program offered by Sling Aircraft in Torrance, California. Rather than building the aircraft entirely on my own, I’ll be working on-site alongside experienced technicians who guide and support the process. This approach…
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Continue reading →: Beating Vapor Lock: Why I’m Installing Boost Pumps in My Sling TSiVapor Lock: A Hot Topic Vapor lock isn’t the kind of thing that keeps most pilots up at night — until it happens. Imagine climbing out on a hot day, your engine humming along, when suddenly the hum turns to a hiccup. The fuel is still in the tanks, but…
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Continue reading →: ChatGPT My Co-Pilot: Learning to See the Skies Through AI EyesAs technology continues to evolve, so does the way we fly. This post kicks off a new series where I explore how AI tools like ChatGPT—and other large language models (LLMs)—can assist me as a pilot. From decoding weather charts to reviewing procedures and planning routes, my goal is to…
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Continue reading →: Flying Under the Radar (Sort Of): FAA’s New Privacy Rules for Aircraft OwnerWhen the FAA introduced ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast) as part of its NextGen modernization push, the goal was noble: improve traffic separation, enable more efficient routing, and enhance safety across the National Airspace System. Every aircraft would continuously broadcast its position, velocity, and identity, creating a real-time picture of traffic…
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Continue reading →: MT Hydraulic vs. Airmaster Electric Prop: The Push for a Truly Modern Sling TSiWhen I started this build, my goal wasn’t just to put together a capable airplane — I wanted to build a modern airplane. Something that reflects where general aviation should be headed: FADEC engine, glass cockpit, smart avionics, and yes, a propeller that doesn’t rely on oil lines, governors, and…
Eating an elephant one bite at a time.
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Slingology - Building and Flying a Sling TSi 