SA Get its third Extra 330 SC

Aug 27, 2017

2 min read

Updated: Aug 15

By Garth Calitz

Nigel Hopkins initiated the trend by acquiring an Extra 330 SC after his MX2 lost a wing during practice for the 2015 World Unlimited Championship in France. Barrie Eeles became the second South African owner of an Extra 330 SC, and earlier this month, Eugene Du Preez received his impressive new aircraft.

The Extra 330SC is considered one of the leading aerobatic competition and air show aircraft globally. Manufactured by Extra Aircraft in Germany, the 330SC stands out for being lighter, faster, and more maneuverable than any other aircraft in its category.

The primary distinction between the 330SC and its predecessor, the Extra 300, lies in its wing design. The new wing enhances manoeuvrability and offers an even faster roll rate, allowing pilots to elevate their air show performances to an even greater level of extreme aerobatics. The Extra performs tumbles and rolls at awe-inspiring speeds from nearly any position.

The Extra 330 SC is equipped with a Lycoming AEIO-580-B1A, 6-cylinder engine. This AEIO-580 is a specially designed high-compression engine that provides 315 hp to the Muehlbauer, MTV 9-B-C/C198-25, 3-blade propeller.

To satisfy the fuel needs of this demanding machine, it is outfitted with two fuel pumps: one driven by the engine and the other electric. Every 330 SC comes with a factory-installed smoke system featuring an automatic filling mechanism, where the smoke oil is delivered into a Gomolzig, 6-in-1 exhaust system.

The airframe is composed of a carbon fiber wing assembly with built-in tanks and a carbon composite empennage structure. The fuselage is made from 1.7734 steel, featuring a single-seat bubble canopy cockpit positioned behind a titanium firewall. All pushrods are made from robust yet lightweight carbon composite.

The standard panel includes an airspeed indicator (knots), altimeter (feet, inHg/hPa), mechanical accelerometer (G meter), magnetic compass, slip and skid indicator, digital RPM indicator, MAP/FF indicator, CHT/EGT, oil pressure/oil temperature gauges, fuel gauges, and an Aresti card holder.

The Extra 330 SC is capable of withstanding forces of +10 and -10 G's and has an empty weight of just 585 kg. With a wingspan of 7.5 meters and a total length of 6.8 meters, it is not a particularly large aircraft. Its clean, straight lines make it ideal for aerobatic competitions. The ACRO tank holds 101 liters of fuel, and the wing tanks can increase this capacity to 224 liters, though the additional fuel is only used when transporting the aircraft in a straight and level flight.

All three of the 330 SC aircraft will be utilized in the upcoming WAC Unlimited World Championships, scheduled to take place in Malelane, Mpumalanga, from November 9th to 16th. Nigel and Barrie will compete in their own planes, while Eugene's aircraft will be used by some foreign pilots in the competition. The Extra 330 SC has a strong track record of success at the world championships, with victories in 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.