Extra Aircraft Makes A Comeback At Oshkosh--As A US-Owned Company

Extra Aircraft (in its latest iteration as a newly formed US-owned company), is here to stay, according to company president Ken Weaver. In fact, customer deposits are now being accepted on all three of their models.

Extra Aircraft is on display at Booths 272-274 during the annual Oshkosh fly-in, and standing by to meet show attendees is none other than Walter Extra himself, well known company founder and chief aircraft engineer from Germany.

"We've promised an aircraft company that our customers can count on for sales and service above and beyond our competition, and our new ownership and management team really delivers," Weaver states. "For those who have been waiting for our arrival, we'll meet you this month in Oshkosh," he added.

Among the attractions of the company's debut is the highly anticipated EA-500, which "offers outstanding performance and economy without compromise to the aircraft's excellent comfort and handling characteristics."

The EA-500 owes its Rolls Royce 450 SHP turbine engine and MT Propeller 5 bladed, reversible composite prop design to company founder, Walter Extra. In fact, Walter Extra's goal in designing the 500 was to find the perfect blend of performance and economy. The immediate benefits to owners: faster take-offs, better climb rates, speed and shorter landing distances through Beta reverse.

"Freedom, luxury and the pure joy of flying. It's all there in the EA-500," says Weaver. "We think it will set the standard in a new class of turbine-powered aircraft."

On display during EAA's AirVenture will be the Extra 400 -- the company's ultimate single-engine piston-powered touring aircraft. The EA-400 features the latest composite design technology and the fully integrated "glass" cockpit.

Extra Aircraft is the US sales and marketing arm of Extra Flugzeugbau, the German aircraft manufacturer. The company has a long and well-known reputation in the aerobatic aircraft segment, having launched the business/touring class of aircraft in more recent years. Extra Aircraft will have exhibit booth prizes and drawings during this week's event.

Here's how the specs shake out:

• Engine:                                  450-hp Rolls Royce 250-B17F/2
• Seats                                     6
• Aircraft Dimensions:                (ft)   L33 x W38 x H11
• Useful Load:                           1,738 lbs
• Maximum Cruise                     230 KTAS
• Range (w/ reserve):                1,600 nm
• Climb Rate (S.L.):                   1,800 ft/min
• Fuel (usable)                          172 gals
• Cruise Fuel Burn                     20 gal/hr
• Take Off Distance                   1,150 ft
• Max Op. Alt.                           25,000 ft
• Cabin Pressurization Diff:        5.5 psi
• Cabin Dimensions                   (ft)    L13.6 x W4.8 x H4.0

FMI: www.ExtraAircraft.com