The legend was born in 1980 when aerobatic pilot Walter Extra decided to create an aerobatic aircraft to suit his needs, he based this new machine on the Laser Z-200 which he had been flying until then. The first of the Extra range to take flight was the Extra 230 on 14 July 1983 less than three years after development began.
Laser Z-200
The Extra 230 is a single-seat, conventional (if short-coupled) mid-wing cantilever monoplane with fixed tailwheel undercarriage and a wire-braced empennage. The fuselage and empennage were of steel tube construction, but the wings were wooden. Production continued until 1990, at which time it was replaced by the Extra 300.
Extra 230
The design of the Extra 300 was based on the Extra 230 and has a welded steel tube fuselage covered in aluminium and fabric. The mid-set wing has a carbon fibre composite spar and carbon composite skins. Asymmetrical aerofoil, mounted with a zero angle of incidence, provides equal performance in both upright and inverted flight. The landing gear is fixed taildragger style with composite main legs and fibreglass wheel pants. The powerplant is a fuel-injected Lycoming AEIO-540 which produces 300 horsepower.
The first two-seat Extra 300 made its maiden flight on 6 May 1988, with German type certification following on 16 May 1990. The single-seat Extra 300S flew on 4 March 1992.
The Extra 300 is stressed for ±10 G with one person on board and ±8 G with two. Some Extra 300s are certified in the experimental category but the majority are Type Certified. Over the years many variants of the Extra 300 have been released all with purpose-built variations on the original.
300S
The 300S is a single-seat version, with a wingspan reduced by 50 cm and fitted with larger ailerons.
300SP
The 300SP is a performance version of the 300S single-seater. Weight was reduced.
300SHP
The 300SHP (HP = high performance) is an uncertified version of the 300SP with a Lycoming AEIO-580 engine.
300SR
The Extra 300SR is a modified aircraft using a specially designed high-lift wing for the Red Bull Air Race World Series.
300L
The Extra 300L is a Lycoming AEIO-540-powered two-seat aircraft, with a low-mounted wing and shorter fuselage. More Extra 300L ("L" is a two-seater version) aircraft have been produced than any other model. Its wing is mounted at the bottom of the fuselage, with its span reduced from 7.9 to 7.3 m. Improved ailerons boost the 300L's roll rate to 400° per second. All 300Ls are fully certified under FAA and European Joint Aviation Authorities regulations.
300LP
The 300LP (P = performance) is a reduced-weight version of the 300L, redesigned for better performance in competitions and airshows.
330SX
The Extra 330SX was a custom development of the 300S with a wider-chord rudder, a larger elevator, and a more powerful Lycoming AEIO-580 powerplant producing 330 hp. Some 300Ss were sold with the "bigger tail" of the 330SX.
330SC
The Extra 330SC is a Lycoming AEIO-580-powered single-seat aircraft with improved roll rate and easier roll stops, designed specifically for Unlimited category competition. It is the only single-seater aerobatic aircraft currently being built by Extra.
330LX
The Extra 330LX is a Lycoming AEIO-580-powered two-seat aircraft.
330LT
The Extra 330LT is a Lycoming AEIO-580 powered two-seat aircraft, adapted for touring. It has an EFIS cockpit and a reduced roll rate in comparison with the 330LX.
330LE
The Extra 330LE is a one-seat aircraft powered by an electric engine made by Siemens, delivering 260 kW, for 50 kg. On Thursday, March 23, 2017, the Extra 330LE set two new speed records, said Siemens: "At the Dinslaken Schwarze Heide airfield in Germany, the electric aircraft reached a top speed of around 340 kilometres per hour (km/h) over a distance of three kilometres. On Friday, March 24, 2017, the Extra 330LE gave another premiere performance by becoming the world's first electric aircraft to tow a glider into the sky".
Extra NG
Featuring an all-carbon rigid base frame - another first in aerobatic aviation history - the Extra NG truly represents a quantum leap forward by offering its owner not just a stunningly beautiful silhouette, but also an ergonomically advanced cockpit. It is designed for maximum pilot comfort and is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics. Improved aerodynamics permits an even higher degree of manoeuvrability and precise handling while also making the Extra NG a "really fast" aircraft.
With the sum of 30 years of experience and results in international aerobatic competitions, Extra aircraft have managed to the "Unlimited Single-seat" World Aerobatic Championships in 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019 in Châteauroux–Déols, France. This feat undeniable makes it the most successful aerobatic aircraft in recent years.
Extra 330SC specs
wingspan 24,6 ft / 7,5 m
length 22,1 ft / 6,7 m
height 8,4 ft / 2,6 m
wing area 105,6 ft2/ 9,8 m2
EASA certified load factor +/- 10 g
typ. equipped empty weight 1.291 lbs / 585 kg
MTOW normal category (+6/-3g) 1.918 lbs / 870 kg
MTOW acro category (+10/-10g) 1.720 lbs / 780 kg
never exceed speed (Vne) 220 kts
manoeuvring speed (Va) (acro) 158 kts
stall speed at 1.720 lbs / 780 kg (Vs) 61 kts
stall speed at 1.918 lbs / 870 kg (Vs) 64 kts
total capacity 59,2 gal / 224 ltr
usable fuel 58,4 gal / 221 ltr
usable fuel - acro tanks only 26,7 gal / 101 ltr
