The Extra 300L: The Aeroplane Behind the Flight
The Extra 300L is the aeroplane most people picture when they picture aerobatics: a low-wing, two-seat tandem monoplane with a 300 hp engine and a roll rate that makes the horizon disappear. Ours is registered SP-EKS and has a history behind it.
Where it comes from
The Extra series was designed by Walter Extra, a German competition pilot who wanted an aeroplane that could win at Unlimited level, and built by Extra Flugzeugbau. The 300 series has been a fixture of world championship flight lines for decades. The L variant is the two-seat tandem version, and that opens the door to introductory flights and dual instruction.
The specification that matters
| Item | Extra 300L |
|---|---|
| Engine | Lycoming AEIO-540-L1B5, 300 hp |
| Seating | Two, tandem (pilot in front, participant behind) |
| Certification category | Aerobatic |
| Permitted loads | Depend on mass, configuration and the Aircraft Flight Manual |
| Never-exceed speed | 407 km/h (220 kt) |
| Competition level | Unlimited |
| Emergency parachutes | Yes, for both crew members |
AEIO in the engine designation is the label to look for: the letters denote an aerobatic, fuel-injected, opposed engine with an inverted oil system, for operation within the aircraft’s approved aerobatic envelope.
Structure
A welded steel-tube fuselage with a composite skin, and a carbon-fibre wing with a symmetrical aerofoil. Symmetrical is the key word: the wing works identically upright and inverted, so the aircraft flies as well one way up as the other. Roll rate is on the order of 400 degrees per second, which is faster than most people can track visually the first time.
Why the category matters more than the numbers
Certification category, not horsepower, is what determines whether an aircraft can legally fly aerobatics. A powerful touring aircraft certified in the normal category is not cleared for negative-G manoeuvres or sustained inverted flight regardless of what its engine can do. When comparing operators, the aircraft type and registration are the two facts to ask for.
SP-EKS specifically
Our airframe previously flew in the colours of the Royal Jordanian Falcons, one of the best-known civil display teams in the world, before coming to Poland. It is now permanently based at Radom-Piastów (EPRP), holds a current Certificate of Airworthiness issued by the Polish Civil Aviation Authority, is maintained under the maintenance programme of the manufacturer and carries third-party liability insurance.
One aeroplane does all the jobs. The same SP-EKS carries participants on an Adrenaline package, trains candidates through the FCL.800 rating, is rented by qualified pilots, flies air displays, and won the 2026 Polish National Championship in the Advanced class and the 2026 Polish Cup with Maciej Kulaszewski at the controls.
What it is like from the back seat
The tandem seats and canopy provide a view of the changing attitude. First Flight and Adrenaline are flown by the pilot. If you want time at the controls, compare Ty Sterujesz, which does not require a licence, with Masterclass for PPL(A) holders.
Frequently asked questions
What engine does the Extra 300L have?
A Lycoming AEIO-540-L1B5 producing 300 hp. The AEIO designation means it is an aerobatic, fuel-injected engine with an inverted oil system, so it continues running during inverted flight and negative-G manoeuvres.
How many people does an Extra 300L carry?
Two, in tandem: the pilot in the front seat and one participant behind. That is a certification limit, so a couple flies two separate flights rather than sharing one.
What is the top speed of an Extra 300L?
The never-exceed speed is 407 km/h, or 220 knots. Aerobatic figures are flown well below that, with entry speeds chosen for each manoeuvre.
Why can an Extra 300L fly inverted when most aircraft cannot?
It has a symmetrical wing aerofoil that works identically upright and inverted, plus an inverted fuel and oil system that keeps the engine running under negative load. It is also certified in the aerobatic category, which normal-category aircraft are not.
What is the history of SP-EKS?
The airframe previously flew in the colours of the Royal Jordanian Falcons display team before coming to Poland. It is now permanently based at Radom-Piastow airfield and holds a current Certificate of Airworthiness issued by the Polish Civil Aviation Authority.
Fly it yourself
Aerobatic flights in the Extra 300L SP-EKS from Radom-Piastów (EPRP), 100 km from Warsaw. From 2,222 PLN, no licence or experience required. Gift vouchers are issued as a PDF after payment confirmation and stay valid for 12 months.