Extra 500

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The Extra 500 is an airplane produced by the Extra aircraft company which has been producing aircraft in Germany for 25 years.

Contents

[edit] Background

Started by Walter Extra, the company has been manufacturing aerobatic airplanes almost exclusively with their latest products being the Extra 300 series. This changed when the company introduced the Extra 400. This was a cross country airplane with many exclusive features including carbon fiber construction, pressurized cabin, high strut less wing, and seating for six. Despite the capabilities of the airplane its $1 Million dollar cost and a weak market saw slow sales.

[edit] Design and development

The Extra 500 was introduced as an upgraded version of the 400 with the piston engine replaced by a Rolls Royce turboprop making 450 horsepower and driving a 5 bladed propeller. Walter Extra flew the first 500 from Germany to Oshkosh, Wisconsin to illustrate its range and capabilities. Unfortunately, the costs of development doomed the company and it was forced into bankruptcy.

With new ownership, the company continues to produce the Extra 300 range of aerobatic aircraft and had announced plans to produce the Extra 500 for the United States market. Despite pricing that would make the aircraft the least expensive turboprop aircraft in its class, efforts to raise funding to certify the aircraft for US sales were not successful and Extra has suspended its plans to produce the plane for the US market.[citation needed] Part of the problem may be the aircraft's relatively poor high speed performance. With a much lower thermodynamic rating, the aircraft is not able to maintain horsepower at altitude like its competitors. The Piper Meridian is able to cruise at 260 knots at 30,000 feet with the Extra 500 can only muster 226 knots at 25,000 feet.

[edit] Specifications (Extra 500)

Data from[citation needed]

General characteristics

  • Length: ()
  • Wingspan: ()
  • Height: ()
  • Useful load: 1,610 lb (730 kg)
  • Powerplant: × , () each

Performance


  • Endurance: 4.2 hours at same conditions as given for cruise
  • Take-off Distance, Ground Roll (@ MTOW-ISA S.L.) : 1,250 ft (381 m)
  • Take-off Distance Over 50 ft Obstacle (@ MTOW-ISA S.L.) : 2,050 ft (625 m)
  • Landing Distance Over 50 ft Obstacle (@ MTOW-ISA S.L.) : 2,050 ft (625 m)
  • Landing Distance, Ground Roll (@ MTOW-ISA S.L.) : 919 ft (280 m)
  • Demonstrated Crosswind Component: 20 KTAS

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

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[edit] External links

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