Definition
The Extra EA‑300 is a single‑seat, high‑performance sailplane (glider) designed and built by the German aircraft manufacturer Extra Flugzeugbau. It is intended for competition and advanced cross‑country soaring, as well as aerobatic flight.
Overview
Introduced in the early 1990s, the EA‑300 belongs to the 15‑metre class of gliders, a widely used competition category. The aircraft quickly gained a reputation for its combination of high glide performance, robust construction, and maneuverability, making it popular among pilots competing in the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) gliding contests. Production continued for several years, with the type remaining in active use by gliding clubs and private owners worldwide.
Etymology / Origin
The name “Extra” derives from the company’s founder, Walter Extra, who established Extra Flugzeugbau in 1980. The designation “EA‑300” follows the company’s internal naming convention, where “EA” stands for “Extra Aircraft” and the numeric suffix identifies the specific model within the company’s product line.
Characteristics
| Feature | Specification / Description |
|---|---|
| Wing span | 15 m (49 ft 3 in) |
| Wing area | Approximately 12 m² (129 ft²) |
| Aspect ratio | Roughly 18.8 |
| Construction | Composite materials (fiberglass, carbon‑fiber reinforcement) with a semi‑monocoque fuselage |
| Airfoil | High‑performance laminar‑flow profile optimized for low drag at cruising speeds |
| Maximum glide ratio | Approximately 44 : 1 at 100 km/h (62 mph) |
| Minimum sink rate | About 0.65 m/s (130 ft/min) |
| Maximum permissible speed (V_NE) | 250 km/h (155 mph) |
| Landing gear | Fixed single wheel with a small tail wheel; optional retractable gear available on later variants |
| Cockpit | Ergonomic, side‑mounted instrument panel with provisions for flight computers and variometers; accommodates pilots up to 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) tall |
| Certification | Certified under European standards for sailplane design; approved for aerobatic maneuvers up to +5 g / –2.5 g |
The EA‑300 incorporates water ballast tanks in the wings, allowing pilots to increase wing loading for higher speeds in strong thermal conditions. Its control surfaces are designed for precise handling, contributing to its suitability for both competition soaring and limited aerobatic sequences.
Related Topics
- Extra EA‑330 – a later 15‑metre class glider from Extra featuring refined aerodynamics and an updated cockpit layout.
- Extra EA‑500 – a two‑seat, self‑launching motor glider produced by Extra Flugzeugbau.
- 15‑metre class gliders – a competition category defined by a maximum wingspan of 15 m, encompassing aircraft such as the Schleicher ASW‑27 and the Schempp‑Hirth Discus‑2.
- Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) gliding competitions – the governing body and competition framework in which the EA‑300 is frequently entered.
- Sailplane aerodynamics – the study of lift‑to‑drag optimization, laminar flow airfoils, and wing loading, all relevant to the design of the EA‑300.