Extra EA-300

EA300
Role Aerobatic monoplane
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Extra Flugzeugbau
Designer Walter Extra
First flight May 1988

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.[1] 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 300 horsepower (224 kW).

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.[1]

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 in the U.S., while others are certified in the aerobatic category.[2]

An Extra 300L flying near Perth, Western Australia
An Extra 300S belonging to Patty Wagstaff: This image shows well the zero-incidence and zero-dihedral wing, used rarely but necessary in an aerobatic aircraft.
The wing of the Extra 300L is set lower on the fuselage
An Extra 300 of the Royal Jordanian Falcons display team taxis for takeoff.
The Northern Lights in formation

Variants

300
Original two-seat version[3]
300S
The 300S is a single-seat version, with a wingspan reduced by 50 cm (19 1⁄2 in), and fitted with larger ailerons.[1][3]
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 (250 kW). Some 300Ss were sold with the "bigger tail" of the 330SX. The 330SX was later replaced by the 330SC.
300SP
The 300SP is a performance version of the 300S single-seater. Weight was reduced, and the tail of the 330SX installed.[4] It is discontinued, being replaced by the 330SC.
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. It made promising debuts in July 2007, but has yet to challenge the dominance of the Zivko Edge 540.
300L
The Extra 300L is a Lycoming AEIO-540-powered two-seat aircraft, with low-mounted wing and shorter fuselage.[3] 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 26 to 24 ft (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.
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 kilometers per hour (km/h) over a distance of three kilometers. 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". [5]

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 (UPRT) in the United States at its bases in Mesa, Arizona and Arlington, Texas.[6][7]
  • 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.[8]
  • An Extra 300 owned and flown by Chuck Coleman was one of the official chase planes of Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne and Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer (during flight test).
  • Patty Wagstaff has flown the Extra 230, 260, and various models of the 300 in aerobatic competitions and airshows since the mid-1980s.[9]
  • Northern Lights Aerobatics Team (later as Northern Lights Combat Air Support and now Lortie Aviation Inc.) from Canada flew five Extra EA300s from 1994 to 2000.[10]
  • Finnish Aviation Academy has one aircraft in operation for upset recovery training.

Military operators

 Chile
  • Chilean Air Force - The Escuadrilla de Alta Acrobacia Halcones ("Chilean Air force High Aerobatics Squadron, called "Hawks") has used the 300L variant since 2003.
 France
 Jordan
 Malaysia

Specifications (EA-300L)

Data from Extra Aircraft's EA-300L page

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 Lambert 1993, p. 100.
  2. ↑ Wagstaff, Patty (2009). "Ask the Expert". Retrieved 2009-01-03.
  3. 1 2 3 Taylor 1999, p. 426.
  4. ↑ Extra Aircraft (2009). "EA-300SP". Archived from the original on 2008-07-08. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
  5. ↑ http://www.siemens.com/press/en/feature/2015/corporate/2015-03-electromotor.php
  6. ↑ Huber, Mark (November 2, 2016). "Bombardier Teams with APS on Upset Recovery Course". Aviation International News. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Aviation Performance Solutions LLC | International Aerobatic Club". www.iac.org. International Aerobatic Club. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  8. ↑ The Blades Archived 2009-04-10 at the Wayback Machine. official website.
  9. ↑ "Biography – Patty Wagstaff". p. 1. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  10. ↑ http://www.sky-flash.com/Display_teams/Northern_Lights/index.html
Bibliography
  • Lambert, Mark. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–94. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Data Division, 1993. ISBN 0-7106-1066-1.
  • Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London:Brassey's, 1999. 1 85753 245 7.
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