A: Right Here! Irrepressible Aviator Arrives At NBAA With Extra-500 After Trans-Atlantic Crossing

With much anticipation and some (surprisingly) very cooperative weather, Walter Extra arrived at Orlando Executive Airport Monday morning, having successfully flown the all new EA-500 aircraft from Hunxe, Germany. The EA-500 is making its U.S. debut during this week's NBAA trade show.

The aircraft is the latest product offering from the brilliant aircraft engineering mind of Walter Extra, who personally piloted the aircraft in this trans-Atlantic journey.

The EA-500 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.

Extra Aircraft is on display at Static Display #23 during the annual NBAA event, and standing by to meet show attendees are key members of the new ownership and management team, including Ken Keith and Ken Weaver, company CEO and President, respectively.

"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."

Certification for the EA-500 is expected in a few short months, according to Weaver. The aircraft fully equipped with EFIS and the latest avionics, is priced at $1.495 million.

Extra Aircraft, of course, is the U.S. 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.

"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 week in Orlando," he added.

FMI: www.ExtraAircraft.com, NBAA Static Display #23.