Extra 330 Aerobatic Aircraft Flies at the Paris Airshow

Flown by the French Air and Space Force Aerobatic Team (EVAAE), the Extra 330 is a single-engine, two-seat aerobatic monoplane designed by Walter Extra and manufactured by Extra Flugzeugbau. Its primary purpose is competitive aerobatics and advanced flight training, featuring a robust airframe capable of withstanding extreme g-forces. The design emphasizes high maneuverability and responsiveness, essential for executing complex aerobatic figures.

The Extra 330 typically utilizes a Lycoming AEIO-580 engine, a six-cylinder, fuel-injected, horizontally opposed piston engine, which provides around 330 horsepower. This power-to-weight ratio allows for high rates of climb and rapid acceleration. The aircraft's structure is primarily carbon fiber composite, contributing to its light weight and high strength. This construction enables the Extra 330 to sustain positive and negative g-loads exceeding typical aircraft limits, often certified for ±10g or more, depending on the variant.

Its wings are short and straight with a symmetrical airfoil, optimizing performance for inverted flight and rapid roll rates.The flight controls are large and balanced, providing precise authority at all speeds. The tandem seating configuration in some variants places the pilot in the front, offering an unobstructed view, while the rear seat is for an instructor or second pilot. The Extra 330 series has seen various iterations, including the 330SC (single-seat) and 330LX (two-seat), each tailored for specific aerobatic disciplines or training requirements. Its operational use spans from individual sport aviation to military aerobatic teams and flight academies.