Professional Role and Company Association
Mike Blyth is the President of Shortest Track For Health and a Director and Founder of The Airplane Factory, a South African company specializing in the design, manufacture, and sale of light sport aircraft. His LinkedIn profile (https://linkedin.com/in/mike-blyth) confirms his leadership roles within the aviation industry. He is notably a shareholder and instrumental founder behind the Sling Aircraft brand, which operates as The Airplane Factory.
Background and Expertise
Mike Blyth is a fifth-generation South African entrepreneur and aviator with more than 34 years of professional involvement in the microlight and light sport aircraft industry. Originally starting his flying career in 1984, Blyth has accumulated over 5,000 hours of microlight flying time and holds 20 different pilot ratings, including seaplane ratings. His aviation experience is distinguished by multiple national and international championship titles including being South Africa's only aviation world champion in microlight flying.
He began his career founding Sky Riders flight school in 1985 and has been influential in pioneering microlight aviation in South Africa. His accolades include:
- Multiple Springbok (South African national) Colours awarded throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
- James Guilliland Trophy (awarded twice: 1989 and 1994) for meritorious aviation flights.
- FAI Gold Colibri Award and later the Diamond Colibri Award for outstanding microlight achievements.
- Numerous national championships including the South African Nationals five times and international team captaincies.
- Record-setting long-distance microlight expeditions, including a 21,000 km unsupported flight from Cape Town to northern Norway (1995) and a 44,000 km global flight covering the Americas, Atlantic, Europe, and Africa (1999).
Manufacturer and Business Leadership
Mike Blyth co-founded The Airplane Factory in 2005 alongside James Pitman. This company produces the Sling series of light sport aircraft, including the popular Sling 2 two-seater and the Sling 4 four-seater. The factory is located at the Tedderfield Airpark in Eikenhof, Johannesburg, with a full-time staff of approximately 135 employees and a facility totaling around 3,500m².
Under his leadership:
- The company has manufactured and sold over 280 Sling 2 aircraft and 160 Sling 4 planes.
- Current production capacity includes two factory-built planes per month and six full kits per month, with about 80% of output exported worldwide in kit or complete form.
- The company maintains an ISO 9001:2015 certification, underscoring its quality assurance and process standardization.
- Significant investments have been made in computer-aided design (CAD), numerical control manufacturing (CNC), and specialized fabrication equipment, including a Durma AD-S 37175 press brake and Euromac punching machines.
- Manufacturing is largely in-house, producing nearly every component except for imported certified aluminum alloys, engines (Rotax from Austria), propellers (US and New Zealand), and Garmin avionics.
- Mike Blyth actively participates in design, production, and quality control, performing final inspections of aircraft prior to test flights.
- The team is developing new models, including high-wing versions planned for prototype testing and production from 2019 onward.
Educational and Professional Development
While Mike Blyth studied mechanical engineering and architecture, he did not complete formal university degrees in these subjects. His expertise is largely self-developed, combining practical aviation experience with technical proficiency in aircraft design, CAD modeling, and manufacturing technologies. He is self-described as a "die-hard stick and rudder man," implying a hands-on, pilot-oriented approach to aircraft development.
Professional Interests and Achievements
- Multiple global circumnavigation flights in Sling aircraft, including pioneering the first South African circumnavigation in a light sport aircraft in 2009, covering over 45,000 km in 40 days.
- Development of the Sling aircraft range with continuous innovation in performance, such as introducing the Sling 4 TSi with a 141HP Rotax 915 iS turbocharged engine delivering cruise speeds up to 145 knots.
- Strong focus on creating aircraft that balance performance, economy, and ease of assembly, targeting both individual kit builders and flight training schools.
- Commitment to maintaining a flawless safety record through rigorous quality assurance and component traceability.
- Experience managing international partnerships, including licensing agreements with Belgian manufacturer Sonaca Aircraft.
Company Market Position
Shortest Track For Health is less documented in detail but is indicated in communications and research excerpts as an area where Mike Blyth holds a presidential role, possibly leveraging his expertise in rapid product or health delivery (“hyper-local responsiveness” based on short supply chain cycles), signaling his interest in innovative, agile operations beyond aviation.
The Airplane Factory, however, is a well-established entity within the light sport aircraft market, a niche producing around 2,500 builds annually globally, providing ample space for growth. The company distinguishes itself by local manufacturing capabilities and export orientation.
Key Contact Data
- Name: Mike Blyth
- Current Position: President, Shortest Track For Health; Director and Founder, The Airplane Factory (Sling Aircraft)
- Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
- Industry: Aviation - Light Sport Aircraft Manufacturing
This detailed profile synthesizes Mike Blyth's multifaceted role as an aviation pioneer, entrepreneur, manufacturer, and pilot, positioning him as a technically skilled and visionary leader with an established track record for innovation, quality manufacturing, and global market penetration in light sport aircraft.
