brucew@bruceair.com
Seattle, WA
Every seat's a window seat on BruceAir
brucew@bruceair.com
Seattle, WA
Every seat's a window seat on BruceAir
BruceAir’s Extra 300L is a two-seat, unlimited-class aerobatic airplane. To learn more about some of the key features of BruceAir’s Extra 300L, click this link. You can download a detailed spec sheet on the Extra 300L (.pdf) from the Extra Aircraft, LLC Web site.
Note that the Extra 300L is not an Experimental-category aircraft. Manufactured in Germany, it carries a standard airworthiness certificate, and it is certificated by the FAA in the Normal, Utility, and Acrobatic categories.
The Extra is a reasonably fast airplane (I flight plan for 165–170 KTAS at cruise), but it’s not a designed as a cross-country traveling machine. The airplane is approved only for day VFR operations, and it does not carry a lot of fuel. I typically fly two-hour legs on long trips.
Unless noted otherwise, air-to-air photos of the Extra 300L at BruceAir.com are courtesy of Pat DuLaney.
| Engine | 6-cylinder, 300 hp Lycoming AEIO-540 L1B5 with inverted fuel and oil systems |
| Propeller | Three-blade wood/composite, constant-speed MTV 9-B-C/C 200-15 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Maximum Gross Weight | 2,095 lbs (952 kg) |
| Standard Empty Weight | 1,470 lbs (668 kg) |
| Never-Exceed Speed (Vne) | 220 kts |
| Maneuvering Speed (Va) | 158 kts |
| Maximum Rate of Climb | 3,200 fpm |
| Stall Speed | 55 kts |
| Range | 414 nm |
| FAA Certified Load Factor | ±10 Gs |
| Length | 22 ft 10 in |
| Height | 8 ft 7 in |
| Wing Span | 26 ft 3 in |
The Extra 300L has two seats. The passenger flies up front in a cockpit equipped with basic flight controls (a stick to move the ailerons and elevator and pedals to operate the rudder and wheel brakes), a throttle, and three instruments (airspeed indicator, G-meter, and altimeter).More instruments really aren’t necessary—or desirable. As noted above, the Extra 300L is strictly a day VFR airplane. More to the point, flying aerobatics is a “look outside” activity.
The pilot must fly from the rear seat, even when solo. The rear cockpit includes a full instrument panel; engine, propeller, and flight controls; and switches for the radios, lights, and other systems.
BruceAir’s Extra 300L is equipped with a Garmin 250XL communications and GPS unit. On cross-country trips, I bring along a Garmin 396 with XM satellite weather capability.
Each seat is equipped with 5-point Hooker Harness that features a ratchet mechanism for strapping in tightly and securely.
BruceAir’s Extra 300L features a built-in a video system, which includes a control panel mounted on the lower-right section of the instrument panel and a container for the recorder, a Sony digital hand-held camera.
If you’re interested in experiencing the Extra first-hand or want to get a thorough checkout in the airplane, a great resource is Craig Fordem at The Aerobatic Experience at St. Augustine, FL (KSGJ)Craig has logged several thousand hours just in Extras, and he’s flown about every other type of aerobatic airplane made after World War I. He can help you find an aerobatic airplane and train you to enjoy it safely.
Other sources of information about the Extra 300L include:
Thanks to my friends at IAC Chapter 67 (the Washington state chapter of the IAC), here are pictures of other types of aerobatic aircraft, including basic trainers like the Cessna A152 Aerobat and the Decathlon, biplanes, and the latest high-tech composite monoplanes, such as the Edge 540.
To see pictures and learn about these other popular aerobatic airplanes, visit Aerobatic Airplanes here at BruceAir.
Robert Bismuth took most of the pictures in collage below. John Smutny also contributed to this collection of photos, many of which show airplanes involved in aerobatic competitions at the Ephrata, WA airport (KEPH) and at the U.S. Nationals competition. To see more pictures of aerobatic airplanes, visit the image albums at the IAC Chapter 67 Web site.
