Extra EA-300
The Extra Flugzeugbau EA300 is a two-seat aerobatic monoplane capable of Unlimited category competition. It was designed in 1987 by Walter Extra, a German aerobatic pilot, and built by Extra Flugzeugbau.
Design and development
Design of the Extra 300 was based on the Extra 230, an early 1980s monoplane having a wing made of wood. The Extra 300 has a welded steel tube fuselage covered in aluminium and fabric. The midset wing has a carbon fiber composite spar and carbon composite skins. A symmetrical airfoil, 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 fiberglass wheel pants. The powerplant is a fuel-injected Lycoming AEIO-540 which produces.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 registered in the experimental category under a Special Certificate of Airworthiness in the U.S., while others are type certified in the aerobatic category.
Maintenance and operating costs
The Extra EA-300 series, widely used in aerobatic training and competition, has maintenance and operational requirements consistent with its high-performance design.Regular inspections are mandated to ensure continued airworthiness. A 50-hour inspection typically includes checks on the elevator trim system, while a 1,000-hour inspection involves detailed evaluations of trim tab hinges and actuator levers for wear or damage.
Operating costs include both fixed and variable expenses. The average variable operating cost is approximately US$152.50 per flight hour, including fuel, oil, maintenance, and overhaul reserves. Fuel consumption is typically per hour,
Variants
;300;300S
;300SP
;300SHP
;300SR
;300LP
;330LC
;330LX
;330LT
;330LE
;330SC
;330SX
Operators
Civilian
- Aviation Performance Solutions is the largest user of Extra 300Ls, with a fleet of eight aircraft used for upset prevention and recovery training in the United States at its bases in Mesa, Arizona and Arlington, Texas.
- The Blades private aerobatic team displays at air shows in Britain using a team of four Extra 300LPs. It offers passenger flights to members of the public and aerobatic training for pilots.
- Patty Wagstaff has flown the Extra 230, 260, and various models of the 300 in aerobatic competitions and airshows since the mid-1980s.
- operates eight Extra 300 aircraft, of which three are SC versions and five are L versions. They are mainly used for aerobatic flights under the Hawks of Romania team name at various public events.
- Sky Combat Ace, a U.S.-based aviation adventure company, operates a fleet of Extra 330LC aircraft to offer civilian customers aerobatic flight experiences, including air combat simulations and stunt flying, under the supervision of FAA-certified flight instructors.
Military operators
- Chilean Air Force – The Escuadrilla de Alta Acrobacia Halcones has used the 300L variant since 2003.
- French Air and Space Force
- Royal Jordanian Air Force
- *The Royal Jordanian Falcons, the aerobatic demonstration team of Royal Jordanian Airlines and the official national aerobatic team of Jordan, perform in a formation of four Extra 300s.
- The Kris Sakti, the Royal Malaysian Air Force aerobatic demonstration team
Specifications (EA-330LT)