Extra

The aerobatic airplane manufacturer has expanded to accommodate the growing product line.

For a long time, Walter Extra steered clear of developing an aerobatic aircraft made from carbon fiber, understanding its limitations in terms of residual strength following extreme loads—such as those from impact. But when a concept came to him that would allow the design to capitalize on the material’s strengths, he dove into development of […]

The thought of an Extra 300 tearing up the sky in near total silence is unfathomable to aerobatic fans expecting a routine that’s part gyrating airplane and part roaring piston engine. But that was in the old days, before Siemens announced in April it was planning to hitch its new 260 kw electric motor to […]

Extra Aircraft unveiled a wild aerobatic testbed for Siemens’ new SP260D electric propulsion system at AERO Friedrichshafen in Germany that could be a harbinger of the future of emission-free airshow performances. The 330LE is based on the German-built Walter Extra 300L tandem two-seater. Siemens intends to use the 330LE for flight test and optimization of […]

At 0655 Pacific time, the airplane collided with terrain. The commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed. The flight originated about 0645. A witness observed the airplane perform two chandelles over the foothills north of his house, then the airplane turned south toward the open valley. The airplane performed two aileron rolls and was halfway into a third roll when the nose pitched down, then pitched up and the airplane rolled so that one wing was pointing down.

Extra Aircraft has received approval form the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the Avidyne Entegra Release 9 integrated flight deck in the German-built Extra EA-500 single-engine turboprop. The certification allows IFR day and night operations in EA-500s fitted with the Entegra Release 9 upgrade. The EA-500 is a turboprop version of the Extra 400 […]

At about 0930 Mountain time, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power while maneuvering and subsequently landed on a nearby highway. During the landing rollout, a vehicle collided with its left wing, causing substantial damage. Neither the solo pilot nor the vehicle operator were injured. Visual conditions prevailed.

German aircraft manufacturer Extra Aircraft has chosen Montrose, Colorado, as the site of its U.S. headquarters and “aircraft production center.” Construction of a new 40,000-square-foot facility is expected to start soon with completion scheduled for late fall this year. The company plans to assemble the all-carbon-fiber Extra 500 ‘Spirit’ in Montrose. Fuselages and wings will […]

The airplane collided with desert terrain at 1317 Mountain time and was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot and airline transport pilot were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed for the upset-recovery training flight. The airplanes operator reported the flight overdue and the wreckage was located at about 1430. The two pilots were located approximately 50 feet to the north of the airplane wreckage. Both pilots were wearing parachutes. The commercial pilots parachute was found to have been activated and partially deployed. The airline transport pilots parachute had not been activated.

At 1325 Mountain time the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain. Visual conditions prevailed for the aerobatic performance flight. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. According to several witnesses, the pilot was exiting a loop, in a westerly direction, close to the ground. As the airplane descended and completed the loop, the wings began to shake back and forth. One witness reported that it appeared as if the airplane was rocking. The airplane impacted the…