Extra Flugzeugproduktions Ea-300

Single Piston

The Extra EA-300 is a German-built unlimited aerobatic monoplane that has dominated international aerobatic competition since its introduction in 1988. Designed by Walter Extra specifically for the demands of FAI-level competition flying, the EA-300 series features an all-composite airframe capable of sustaining +10/-10 G loads, making it one of the most structurally strong aerobatic aircraft ever certified for civilian use. Its distinctive low-wing configuration and massive control surfaces give pilots instantaneous response rates that redefined what was possible in precision aerobatics. Powered by a single Lycoming AEIO-540 six-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower, the Extra EA-300 achieves a roll rate exceeding 400 degrees per second and can sustain vertical climbs seemingly indefinitely. The aircraft's never-exceed speed of 253 knots and clean lines allow for high-speed maneuvers while maintaining the slow-speed handling needed for torque rolls and hovering harriers. Multiple world aerobatic champions have flown Extra aircraft to victory, including Patty Wagstaff, who won the U.S. National Aerobatic Championship three consecutive times in an Extra, and numerous Red Bull Air Race pilots who chose the type for its unmatched agility. The EA-300L variant represented by the EL10 designator features a slightly longer fuselage than the original EA-300, improving spin characteristics and providing better cockpit ergonomics for competition sequences. While primarily used for airshow performances and competition aerobatics, the type also serves in advanced upset recovery training programs where its docile stall behavior and benign spin characteristics make it ideal for teaching pilots energy management at the edge of the flight envelope. SkyMeter has tracked 11 flights across 6 airframes and 6 operators, with SMITH DENNIS P the largest observed operator.