Sports aircraft Extra EA-300 – an unsurpassed aerial acrobat

Civil aviation is not only about passenger airliners. Don't forget about compact private jets. Of course, these are far from cars - only a few can afford this.


Although, if you look at the issue, flying is not that expensive. Roughly comparable to buying a heavily used car if you start with the right hill and parachute. And if the latter is written off, but good, then it can fit into the cost of the old Soviet VAZ.


And then it goes on and on, just like with cars. A paraglider, a hang glider and at the end a real plane. The crown of evolution in this case can be considered the Extra EA-300, which we will talk about today.

History

The first advantage of the hero of our article is that it was developed by a professional in his field. Not an engineer, but a sports pilot. The German Walter Ekstra changed many aircraft during his career and each one had to be modified globally.


The first experimental aircraft under the Extra Flugzeugbau brand appeared in 1987. From here it is customary to count the history of the model, which is still produced.


Secrets of success Extra EA-300:

✅ Versatility
✅ Constant improvements
✅ Reliability
✅ Attempts to reduce cost

However, the last point is quite controversial. Of course, they really try to reduce the price for the buyer, because this directly affects sales. But no one has canceled inflation.

The Extra EA-300 prototype made its first flight in 1988. This is where Walter Extra proved his professionalism. It turned out that the plane was already ready for mass production. At least, without modifications or problems, it passed all the tests necessary to allow the model to be launched into production.

Appearance and cabin

The Extra EA-300 looks somehow classic. The plane is compact and at the same time harmonious. When I first looked at this model, I immediately had associations with the P-51 “Mustang”.


Just like the US military legend, the Extra EA-300 is maneuverable, easy to control and has high speeds. The model is more than suitable for acrobatic stunts, because that is what it was created for.

The cabin is compact, depending on the version, it is designed for one or two people. In the latter case, the control is duplicated.
It's worth mentioning that the Extra EA-300 is definitely not for beginners. The aircraft places increased demands on the pilot's skill. This refers to sports models rather than light “walking” ones.

Features

It’s not for nothing that the model name contains the number “300” - the engine here has exactly that much horsepower. The Lycoming AEIO-540-L1B5 engine has long proven itself to be reliable and trouble-free.


The power unit is capable of accelerating the aircraft to 405 km/h. The fuel in aircraft of this model lasts for a maximum of 770 kilometers.
You need to understand that the Extra EA-300 is not for traveling, except when traveling lightly. The plane is not suitable for transporting cargo.

Thanks to the use of carbon fiber, aluminum sheets and steel pipes, the designers managed to combine strength and light weight in “one bottle”. The model has received a certificate for overloads of up to 10 G. To make it clearer, passengers on a standard airliner can experience up to 1,5 G during takeoff.

The manufacturer now offers several modifications of the Extra EA-300. Among them there are versions designed for training top-class pilots.


Of course, buying such an aircraft in Russia is difficult and expensive. And the main problem is obtaining a pilot's license. Although, if desired, you can get by with a little bloodshed. Such models can be found in our flying clubs.

They will not only allow you to take an aerial ride, but also perform several stunts. Of course, in tandem with professional pilots.