A two-seat aerobatic development
The Extra 300 prototype first flew on 6 May 1988 while the Extra 260 was also being developed. It brought lessons from the 230 and 260 into Extra’s first two-seat aircraft, powered by a six-cylinder, 300 hp Lycoming.
Aircraft libraryExtra 300 family
Bob Adams from George, South Africa · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Extra 300L ZS-TFAExtra 300 family
Direct mechanical aerobatic controls, with separate pitch and roll loading and pitch-trim relief.
Aerobatic aircraftE3003 profile choices
Know the plane
Extra groups the original 300, 300/S and 300/L under separate model headings in its technical library. The library also covers newer 330 variants, including the separately documented 330LT.
Extra 300
- Powerplant
- Lycoming AEIO-540, 300 hp↗
- Seats
- 2, tandem↗
- Max aerobatic weight
- ≈2,095 lb (950 kg)↗
- Wingspan
- 26 ft 3 in (8.0 m)↗
- Length
- 23 ft 4 in (7.12 m)↗
- Never exceed (Vne)
- 220 KIAS↗
- Load limits
- ±10 g (single seat, aerobatic)↗
- Roll rate
- ≈400°/second↗
- Stall, clean
- ≈55 KIAS↗
- Max cruise
- ≈170 KTAS↗
- Service ceiling
- 16,000 ft↗
- Usable fuel
- ≈42 US gal with aux↗
More about this aircraft on AirframeDB
Composite wings and competition debut
The new wing combined a carbon-fibre spar with composite skin. Three pilots introduced the Extra 300 at the 1988 World Aerobatic Championship; the manufacturer records 68 original Extra 300s built between 1988 and 1998. Later 300-family variants should be identified separately.
The 1988 competition debut
Walter Extra, Eric Müller and Frank Gerstenberg introduced the two-seat 300 at the 1988 World Aerobatic Championship. They appeared alongside pilots still competing in the earlier 230, so the new type’s arrival was a transition within an active competition family. The manufacturer records Müller placing sixth in the final freestyle with the 300, while Clint McHenry placed fourth with a 230. That early competition record predates the later 300L, 300S and other family variants.
Public sources 4
- Extra technical publicationsSeparate model handbooks; some downloads require manufacturer registration.
- Extra EA 300 POHPrint or archived reference; no public link
- Extra published dataPrint or archived reference; no public link
- Extra milestones: 1988Manufacturer milestones: original two-seat Extra 300, 1988
How the profile models it
Extra 300
Free + ProExtra groups the original 300, 300/S and 300/L under separate model headings in its technical library. The library also covers newer 330 variants, including the separately documented 330LT.
The factory starting point selects Extra 300.
Reversible stick loading supplies the chosen aerobatic response. Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Pitch relief follows the configured trim rather than treating every Extra model as one trim installation. Valid trim provides the configured pressure relief. Autopilot following is off.
This exact revision has not been enabled for public installation.
Controls and trim
Extra’s technical library separates 300, 300S and 300L models. Their aerobatic role and seating arrangements retain those identities, with newer 330 aircraft documented under separate model headings.
About the values
The gains are normalized profile settings. They describe the chosen effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its output limits. IAS references are tuning values rather than operating limits. Physical acceptance of this revision remains pending.
Master gain & control system
Master gain90%
The final overall output scale applied to everything the model produces, before the device cap.
More: everything (spring, loads, effects) gets stronger together.
Less: everything softens together.
Why here: Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits.
Forces
Spring strength88%
The base centring force that pulls the stick back to centre. Every other force stacks on it. Too low and the stick feels limp in normal flight; too high and it fights your hand and masks the smaller cues layered above it.
More: firmer centring that resists your hand at all times.
Less: a limper stick that leans on aerodynamic load alone.
Why here: Reversible stick loading supplies the chosen aerobatic response. The baseline spring is 0.88. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 65 KIAS.
Extra manuals and trim service catalogueAerial Sports CarFlight Test: Extra 330LXFlight Test: Extra 330LXSpring deadband3%
A small neutral zone around centre where the spring stays quiet, so tiny movements at rest don't chatter. Wider is calmer but looser; narrower is more precise but can twitch around centre.
More: a calmer but looser centre with more free play.
Less: a tighter centre that may chatter at rest.
Why here: Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner.
Overall aerodynamic load40%
A master scale over both sustained axis loads, applied before their independent balance. Profiles normally leave this alone and tune the two axis loads instead.
More: both axes load up harder.
Less: both axes lighten together.
Why here: The aerodynamic-load gain is 0.4 with an indicated-speed reference of 158 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring.
Spring engagement full65 kt
The airspeed where the spring reaches full strength. Between the start and this point, centring firms up progressively as airflow builds over the controls.
Why here: Sets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it.
Centre firmness vs speed0%
How much the centring itself stiffens with speed, on top of the deflection loads. Zero keeps centre feel constant; more makes the stick centre harder at cruise and looser in the pattern.
More: a centre that hardens noticeably as you go faster.
Less: constant centre feel at every speed.
Why here: The high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0. No additional speed-driven stiffening is added; this does not disable independent aerodynamic loading.
Centre stiffening cap5
The upper limit on speed-driven centre stiffening, so very fast flight can't wind the spring up without bound.
More: more total stiffening allowed at high speed.
Less: stiffening clamps off sooner.
Why here: Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap.
Aileron load70%
The sustained roll load from aileron deflection and airspeed, balanced independently of pitch. Together with the elevator load it sets the control-harmony ratio reviewers talk about.
More: heavier roll forces.
Less: lighter, quicker-feeling ailerons.
Why here: Roll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.7 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled.
Elevator load100%
The sustained pitch load from elevator deflection and airspeed, balanced independently of roll. This is the main lever behind a type's pitch weight. It does not touch aileron, spring, trim, or buffet forces.
More: heavier sustained pitch forces at speed.
Less: a lighter elevator that takes less muscle to hold.
Why here: Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings.
Max output force70%
A cap on each steady pitch or roll force before it reaches the device, guarding against slamming or saturating the hardware in strong maneuvers.
More: stronger peak steady forces before clipping.
Less: a gentler ceiling; hard maneuvers flatten out sooner.
Why here: Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate.
Airspeed blendingTrue
Enables the low-speed spring engagement window (start/full knots above). Off, the spring is constant at all speeds.
Why here: Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it.
Low-speed spring floor50%
How much of the spring survives at a standstill, before airspeed can build any aerodynamic force. A high floor keeps the parked stick firm; a low floor gives the loose, cable-slack feel of a parked light aircraft.
More: a firmer stick while parked and taxiing.
Less: a floppier parked stick that only wakes up with airspeed.
Why here: Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength.
Spring engagement start15 kt
The airspeed where the spring begins climbing from its low-speed floor toward full strength: the controls "coming alive" on the takeoff roll.
Why here: Sets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit.
Force tuning speed158
The indicated airspeed where aerodynamic load reaches its designed full level. It anchors the whole load curve to the aircraft's real speed range: a 172 loads up by 110 knots, a jet much later.
More: loads arrive later; the stick stays light up to a higher speed.
Less: loads arrive earlier and cruise feels heavier.
Why here: Sets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit.
Trim
Trim relief (elevator)30%
How strongly elevator trim relieves held pitch force and shifts where the stick settles. At 100%, a properly trimmed aircraft needs no held pressure, the trim-away-the-load workflow of real flying.
More: trim removes more of the held pitch force; at 100% full trim zeroes it.
Less: you keep holding force even when trimmed.
Why here: Pitch relief follows the configured trim rather than treating every Extra model as one trim installation. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.
Extra manuals and trim service catalogueAerial Sports CarFlight Test: Extra 330LXFlight Test: Extra 330LXTrim relief (aileron)0%
The same relief for roll trim. Most GA types have no real aileron trim, so this stays at zero; types with roll trim get a matching value.
More: roll trim removes more held roll force.
Less: roll trim does less.
Why here: Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response.
Effect gains · ground
Runway rumble40%
Rolling surface vibration from wheel speed and surface type: pavement, grass, or gravel under the gear.
More: louder surface texture through the stick.
Less: a smoother taxi.
Why here: Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration.
Gear bumps30%
Short discrete bumps from expansion joints, ruts, and rough surface, punctuating the continuous rumble.
More: sharper hits from joints and ruts.
Less: softer ground detail.
Why here: Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact.
Effect gains · airframe
Stick shaker50%
The dedicated stall stick-shaker buzz, fired by the aircraft's own stall-warning system. Only types with a real shaker get a value; everything else relies on aerodynamic buffet and the horn.
More: a harder stick-shaker buzz.
Less: a subtler shaker.
Why here: Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled.
Stall buffet30%
Airframe shake approaching the stall and while the stall warning is active: how loudly this wing announces it is unhappy. Types with a crisp break get modest buffet and let the horn carry the warning.
More: a louder pre-stall shake.
Less: a quieter wing; the horn carries the warning.
Why here: Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings.
Mach buffet0%
Transonic buffet approaching the Mach limit. Meaningful for jets near MMO, zero for pistons and turboprops that never get there.
More: stronger transonic buffet near the Mach limit.
Less: a smoother high-Mach ride.
Why here: Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate.
Flap buffet0%
Low-frequency airframe vibration with flaps extended into the airflow, in the speed window where they actually work the air.
More: a rougher ride with flaps working the air.
Less: smoother approach flap.
Why here: Sets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate.
Gear buffet0%
Airframe drumming from retractable gear hanging in the airstream. Zero for fixed-gear types, where the airframe never changes shape.
More: more drumming with the wheels hanging out.
Less: cleaner gear-down flight.
Why here: Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate.
Effect gains · engine, mechanical & drag
Touchdown thump60%
The one-shot kick when the wheels meet the runway, scaled by sink rate: a greaser whispers, a firm arrival thumps.
More: a harder kick at touchdown.
Less: softer arrivals.
Why here: Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse.
Reverse rumble0%
Rollout vibration while reverse thrust or beta-range props are working. Zero for types without reverse.
More: a rougher rollout under reverse.
Less: quieter reverse.
Why here: Sets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue.
Engine rumble26%
Continuous powerplant vibration following RPM between idle and full power, the ever-present reminder that something is burning fuel up front.
More: more engine through the stick.
Less: a quieter powerplant.
Why here: Sets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration.
Flap motion0%
Continuous vibration only while the sim reports the flap surfaces actually travelling. It follows real actuator motion and failures, not an estimated timer.
More: more vibration while the flap surfaces travel.
Less: quieter flap runs.
Why here: Sets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue.
Autopilot follow
AP follow authority5%
How far autopilot commands may physically move the stick. Kept tiny in MSFS, where a moved axis can read back as pilot input; zero disables following entirely.
More: the autopilot visibly moves your stick further.
Less: a barely perceptible follow.
Why here: Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply.
Autopilot
Autopilot · Follow enabledFalse
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Autopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Autopilot · Neutral hold enabledFalse
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target.
Autopilot · Neutral hold strength0.6
Why here: Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled.
Stick feel
StickFeel · Trim feel enabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement.
StickFeel · Trim relief enabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Allows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount.
StickFeel · Force trim enabledFalse
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification.
StickFeel · G load enabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it.
StickFeel · Rate damping enabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law.
Aero
Aero · Max flap index4
Where this effect reaches full strength (or has fully faded, for washouts).
More: a more gradual build to a later peak.
Less: a quicker build.
Why here: Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3.
Aero · Min flap index1
Where this effect begins fading in.
More: the effect begins later.
Less: it begins earlier.
Why here: Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees.
Aero · EnabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions.
Aero · Shaker enabledFalse
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment.
Ground
Ground · EnabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry.
Engine
Engine · EnabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry.
Mechanical
Mechanical · EnabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement.
Mechanical · Gain0
The strength of this effect.
More: a stronger effect.
Less: a weaker one.
Why here: Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects.
All profile settings
| Parameter | Value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | 0.88 | Reversible stick loading supplies the chosen aerobatic response. The baseline spring is 0.88. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 65 KIAS. |
| Spring deadband | 0.03 | Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Force gain | 0.4 | The aerodynamic-load gain is 0.4 with an indicated-speed reference of 158 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Master gain | 0.9 | Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Spring full-strength speed | 65 kt | Sets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening | 0 | The high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0. No additional speed-driven stiffening is added; this does not disable independent aerodynamic loading. |
| Airspeed stiffening cap | 5 | Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Aileron force scale | 0.7 | Roll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.7 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | 1 | Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Maximum output force | 0.7 | Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| Autopilot · Follow enabled | False | Autopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot · Follow authority | 0.05 | Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot · Neutral hold enabled | False | Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot · Neutral hold strength | 0.6 | Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| StickFeel · Trim feel enabled | True | Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| StickFeel · Trim relief enabled | True | Allows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Aero · Max flap index | 4 | Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Aero · Min flap index | 1 | Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Aero · Amplitude | 0.5 | Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Dynamic-pressure blend | True | Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| Minimum spring factor | 0.5 | Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| Spring wake-up speed | 15 kt | Sets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Force tuning speed | 158 kt | Sets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| StickFeel · Elevator authority | 0.3 | Pitch relief follows the configured trim rather than treating every Extra model as one trim installation. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0. |
| StickFeel · Aileron authority | 0 | Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| StickFeel · Force trim enabled | False | Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| StickFeel · G load enabled | True | Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| StickFeel · Rate damping enabled | True | Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Aero · Enabled | True | Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Aero · Gain | 0.3 | Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Aero · Gain | 0 | Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Aero · Gain | 0 | Sets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Aero · Gain | 0 | Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Aero · Shaker enabled | False | Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Ground · Enabled | True | Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.4 | Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.3 | Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.6 | Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Ground · Gain | 0 | Sets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Engine · Enabled | True | Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Engine · Gain | 0.26 | Sets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Mechanical · Enabled | True | Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Mechanical · Gain | 0 | Sets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Mechanical · Gain | 0 | Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Public sources 7
- Extra manuals and trim service catalogueEA300/SC manuals and service bulletin indexSeparate model handbooks; some downloads require manufacturer registration.
- Aerial Sports CarExtra 300 family
- Flight Test: Extra 330LXExtra 300 family
- Flight Test: Extra 330LXExtra 300 family
- Extra EA 300 POHPrint or archived reference; no public link
- Extra published dataPrint or archived reference; no public link
- Extra milestones: 1988Manufacturer milestones: original two-seat Extra 300, 1988
Community & corrections
If your time in the type says this page got something wrong, correct it here.
Pilot corrections
Fly this aircraft? Correct this page.
This page is built from cited references, and real time in the type beats a citation. Quote the claim that reads wrong and tell us what the actual aircraft does. Corrections go to the maintainer for review and feed the next revision of this research.
Sign in to submit a correction. No password, just a one-time email link.
Sign in
Hangar talk
Open conversation about flying and tuning the Extra 300 family, in the community forum. Corrections above go privately to the maintainer; hangar talk is public.
Sign in to start it. No password, just a one-time email link.
Sign in
Community
Community profiles for this aircraft
No community profiles for this aircraft yet.
Tuned it your way? Share a profile and it will appear here.