User Guide

Flight Simulator
20002000
20002000
2000
176
Microsoft
Extra 300S
If airplanes were horses, the Extra 300S would be
a champion thoroughbred. It is, in fact, designed
to be a champion in Unlimited class aerobatic
competitions. The 300S combines light weight, a
300 horsepower engine, and exquisite control
harmony in an aircraft that has won several World
Aerobatic Championships.
A derivative of the two-place model 300, the wing
of the single-place 300S was lowered eight inches
to provide better ground visibility and improve the
general appearance of the aircraft. After this
anxiously awaited model was introduced in March
of 1992, three of the four existing production
aircraft were flown in the World Championship
that July.
The Extra 300S has an incredible roll-rate: 400
degrees per second. Just as impressive is how
precisely maneuvers can be executed in the
hands of an expert pilot like Patty Wagstaff.
Attend one of her airshows and you’ll see a 300S
carve paths through the sky like it’s on a rail.
Most aircraft require the pilot to drive downhill a
bit to gather enough momentum for a loop. With
the Extra 300S, just pull the stick back in level
flight at high cruise power and it leaps through
the vertical, headed for the opposite horizon. This
airplane is at home in a roll, loop, tail slide,
hammerhead, Cuban Eight, or any other extreme
attitude you want to put it into.
A hint of the control sensitivity of the 300S comes
with the first movement of the stick. There is no
slack or resistance in the control circuit. When
you move the controls, the airplane follows
instantly. Long ailerons provide the aerial equiva-
lent of power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering,
and fingertip control is all that’s needed. Even at
steep bank angles, the controls are surprisingly
light. Electrically adjustable rudder pedals
customize the plane’s fit to any pilot, and the
bubble canopy provides a roomy, panoramic view
of the world whether right-side up or upside
down.
As with many taildragger aircraft, visibility over the
nose of the 300S is not terrific when on the
ground. The standard technique while taxiing is to
perform S-turns to see where you’re going. But
when you apply the power for the takeoff run, the
tail comes up very quickly followed by the rest of
the plane shortly thereafter.
Most 300Ss are purchased by pilots who just want
a fast, sporty plane that they can turn upside
down on occasion. The rest go to buyers who
employ them in competition or for entertaining
the crowds at airshows. Whatever motivates them
to buy it, owners of the Extra 300S love this high-
spirited and well-mannered stallion for its
legendary performance.
For details on flying this aircraft, see the Aircraft
Information section of Help.
You’ll find that the Extra requires only fingertip control to move it
around the sky. Climb above 3,000 ft AGL to perform aerobatics, and
use a light touch on the stick. You can’t easily break this bird, so feel
free to put it through its paces.