The South African kit plane industry, while not as large as its American or European counterparts, has carved out a niche for itself in the global aviation market. The country has a strong general aviation culture, with many private pilots and homebuilders looking for affordable, high-performance aircraft suited to both local and international conditions. The country is home to several other notable aviation companies specializing in light aircraft, bush planes and experimental designs. The leading company is, without any doubt, Sling Aircraft (formerly The Airplane Factory). It is also the most internationally recognized South African kit aircraft manufacturer.