Performance and Handling Capabilities Key Issues

World champion aerobatic pilot Peter Besenyei has added yet another Extra Aircraft to his collection with the recent addition of a custom-made Extra 300S.

The aircraft, specifically built for Besenyei, features enhanced controllability and a boosted engine built by world-renowned engine tuner Monty Barrett, according to Extra Aircraft founder and engineer Walter Extra.

"I chose this new Extra 300S because of its superior performance capabilities," said Besenyei. "Precision is key in this type of dynamic sport racing, and Extra has produced an aircraft that masters it."

Besenyei will fly his new Extra EA-300S in a number of Red Bull Air Race events taking place in 2005. The first race will be in Abu Dhabi on April 8.

"Peter is one of the finest aerobatic pilots in the world," said Extra. "With his ability and the unique performance characteristics of this new 300S, Peter will continue to push the envelope on what can be accomplished in an aircraft."

Besenyei, a three-time Aerobatics World Champion, is the creator of the Red Bull

Air Race, which is a new form of aerobatic competition which combines speed and precision in flying. Pilots fly a designated track between two pylons and must perform set maneuvers, with the goal of flying the course in the shortest amount of time with the fewest mistakes.

A national hero in his native Hungary, Besenyei is a 10-time Hungarian national aerobatics champion and 16-time sportsman of the year. He drew international attention in 2001 when he flew his Extra 300S inverted under the famous chain bridge in downtown Budapest.

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 five highly specialized models: the EA-200, EA-300L and EA-300S, aerobatic aircraft, as well as the EA-400 and EA-500, business and touring aircraft.

FMI: www.extraaircraft.com