Extra Flugzeugbau Ea-260

Single Piston

The Extra EA-260 is a German-built single-engine aerobatic aircraft designed by Walter Extra and introduced in the early 1990s. Built by Extra Flugzeugbau in Dinslaken, Germany, the EA-260 was conceived as a two-seat trainer and sport aircraft capable of unlimited aerobatics, bridging the gap between the company's single-seat competition machines and more accessible tandem designs. Powered by a Lycoming AEIO-540 six-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower, the aircraft features a composite fuselage mated to wooden wings and can sustain +/- 10G loads, making it a favorite among aerobatic schools and private owners seeking a rugged platform for advanced maneuvers. The EA-260 shares DNA with Extra's competition pedigree, the same engineering philosophy that produced the dominant Extra 300 series, but offers side-by-side seating and a slightly more forgiving envelope for instruction. Its clean lines and symmetrical airfoil allow knife-edge flight, lomcevaks, and snap rolls with precision, while the 260-hp powerplant delivers a climb rate exceeding 2,000 feet per minute. Though never produced in large numbers, the type has found a loyal following in the aerobatic community, particularly in North America where many examples serve dual roles as competition trainers and cross-country sport planes. SkyMeter has tracked 26 flights across 12 airframes and 12 operators, with VOLKER RICHARD C the largest observed operator.