Oshkosh, Wisconsin —Monday, July 22, 2019
Shortly before 1:30 pm, the afternoon breeze streaming across Whitman Field had freshened to gusts. From the gathered crowd of nearly two hundred, a single white Panama sun hat popped up and out - sailing off into a perfect blue sky. Southeast Aero’s Director of Sales Doug Vayda was pacing excitedly, occasionally stopping to greet and shake hands with the other members of the Extra Aircraft family.
Extra Aircraft’s newest contribution to the world of aerobatic aviation sat in front of the IAC Pavilion covered up from view. It was elegantly disguised in shimmering black silk that snapped and popped against the wind. The Extra NG was about to make its world debut at EAA Airventure, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
In the minutes before the official unveiling, its creator and legendary aircraft pilot/designer Walter Extra stopped to steal a single, quiet moment glancing back toward his hidden airplane. Maybe he was imagining the Extra NG already airborne with its black silk cover-up trailing in the wind. But in the next sudden moment, he reached for a perfectly positioned tie-down suspended at the propeller and with grand wave of his arm the black shroud fell. His latest project, which had first been conceived five years earlier, appeared to the public for the first time.
At that moment, some might have noticed a single half-beat of silence. But in the next, the enthusiastic crowd was banging their hands together in unison. The rich warm sound of love and appreciation rushed along with the wind. If the Extra Aircraft team had come to Oshkosh to make some noise in the aerobatic aircraft world - mission accomplished.
“I am very proud to return to Oshkosh with this new design,” Extra began. “This is where I came to my first Championships in 1980. This is a special place for me.” A broad, genuine smile spread sunshine across his face. Many of his admirers in the audience acquired that similar sort of face. Both designer and admirers falling into the nostalgia and celebration of the day.
Using very broad language Mr. Extra went on to explain the unique 100 percent carbon fiber fabrication process he’d used throughout the structure of the airplane. Finally, he had been able to replace the traditional steel framing that he preferred as an integral component for pilot safety. But other than to say he had found a way to replace steel with carbon composite, nothing else was forthcoming. He apologized for the brevity of his remarks concerning that particular area, explaining the patent was pending for his new carbon fiber process and had yet to be finalized. He did make very clear that his new design would be available and in full production by August this year. When asked about the volume of pre-orders Mr. Extra again with-held specifics but cheerfully added, “We’re doing just fine”. This time with his same beaming smile came with a twinkle in his eye.
He explained that while his new design achieved essentially the same technical specifications of the best of his earlier airplanes, with only 15 kilograms shaved of the weight for better vertical performance, what set the Extra NG apart was the sheer responsiveness of the airplane to the acrobatic pilot himself. This ultimate responsiveness he attributed to, simply, exceptional build quality. “No one is building airplanes like this,” he said.
“When we first started this project, we decided to take our cues from the automotive industry. Comfort for the pilot was our main goal. That’s what we’ve achieved.” Mr. Extra explained, “When a pilot is flying maneuvers, they don’t want to be thinking of anything but the maneuver itself. We couldn’t imagine building an airplane today with cockpit features and comforts that are fifty years old.”
With his initial remarks, Mr. Extra held court only briefly from his position near the propeller before he invited the crowd, now circling the airplane at a respectful distance, to move in for a closer look. He didn’t have to extend the invitation twice. Instantly the plane was enthusiastically surrounded.
Autographs were signed, selfies were taken. Questions were eagerly asked of the German designer and generously answered. Then a small boy was lifted into the pristine rear seat of the most advanced and comfortable aerobatic airplane in the world. The boy pulled at his cap, touched the stick, and looked out over an imagined horizon. He looked...pretty comfortable.
Walter Extra and the Extra Aircraft Team gathered together after the unveiling and were quietly talking, silhouetted against the fresh, potent lines of the new Extra NG. They were looking pretty comfortable too.
Marco Extra, Kramer Upchurch, Doug Vayda and Walter Extra (sitting on the wing)
by Dan Brown, IAC 440944
