More performance for Eurpoe’s top aerobatic aircraft

THESE ARE the first photos of the new lightweight Extra 300SP being developed by the German factory – exclusive to LOOP. Extra expects the new aircraft to go on sale in early 2006, in time for the new season of aerobatic events – and, crucially, the Red Bull Air Race World Series in which Extra was outperformed by the American Edge 540. Many of the changes were used on an aircraft flown by company boss and founder Walter Extra in the German aerobatic championships, in which he won his class.

The single-seat 300SP is between 15-20kg lighter than the existing Extra 300S, and has the new cowling and engine cooling arrangement announced earlier this year for the two-seat 300LP. Corvin Huber, Managing Director of Extra in Germany, in an exclusive interview with LOOP, also admitted the factory was working on a special version for the Red Bull series. This aircraft will be known as the 300SR. “It will be even lighter, possibly less than 600kg. It’s likely also to have a modifi ed engine. The race rules are still being refined so we’re holding back on the actual specification.” Mr Huber confirmed that Extra Aircraft is goingfrom strength to strength under its new American owners. “We’re having a bumper season, it’s never been so good. There’s rekindled interest in our aircraft.”