... AND Predicts a Record Year

2006 marks a significant milestone in the history of Extra Aircraft as it celebrates its 25th anniversary in aviation manufacturing and the potential for a record-breaking production schedule.

“Extra Aircraft really started by accident”, says Walter Extra, mechanical engineer and founder of Extra Aircraft.

“I just wanted to take my competition flying to another level so I went to work designing and building the first Extra 230.”

Ever since Extra introduced his first aircraft in 1981, it has been an extraordinary ride for the world-class aerobatic champion. The success of his first aircraft prompted him to achieve new heights by making what every aerobatic pilot wants—a more powerful aircraft. By modifying the airframe and changing to a six-cylinder, 290-horsepower Lycoming engine, creating the EA-260. It was subsequently the plane that helped produce national titles for legendry aerobatic pilot Patty Wagstaff.

Less than a year after developing the EA-260, Walter went back to the drawing board to develop a two-seater—the now legendary EA-300.

“I had only used carbon fiber on a limited basis with my first two aircraft,” said Extra.

“Because I was creating more weight with the two-seater, it was only logical to use more carbon fiber. It kept the aircraft as light as possible without sacrificing its aerobatic characteristics.”

The same year the EA-300 was introduced, three pilots flew it in the 1988 World Aerobatic Championships. Today the 300-series aircraft are mostly carbon fiber, are the only unlimited category planes certified to plus or minus 10 G’s, and have commanded a world-wide reputation among pilots.

In 2005, Extra Aircraft again pushed the aerobatic envelope by unveiling its latest 300-series model, the EA-300LP, a lighter-weight high performance plane that gives pilots a distinct advantage.

“Expect even bigger things in 2006 and in the years to come from Extra,” said Ken Weaver, president of Extra Aircraft.

“Extra Aircraft has been around for 25 years because our customers know our constant uncompromising commitment to manufacturing a superior aircraft without sacrificing safety.”

Extra Aircraft’s roots may be in aerobatic planes; however, the company is making a name for itself among business-class airplanes as well. The move started in 1998 with the EA-400, a six-seat piston aircraft, and now the turbo-prop version, the EA-500. The EA-500 will start rolling off the production line by the second quarter of this year, providing a safe, efficient and luxurious business and touring plane to the aviation community.

“I am proud of every single plane that has come out of our factory over the past 25 years,” said Extra.

“And I am honored to be able to continue making and flying in these exceptional aircraft. What more could a person want?”

Extra Aircraft is a premier aircraft manufacturing company headquartered in Lancaster, Pa., with a manufacturing plant in Germany. Founded in the 1980s by veteran aerobatic pilot Walter Extra, Extra Aircraft became a U.S.-owned and -operated company in 2003. The Extra product line includes six highly specialized models: the EA-200, EA-300L, EA-300S, and EA-300LP aerobatic aircraft, as well as the EA-400 and EA-500, business and touring aircraft.

FMI: www.extraaircraft.com