Press Release

Issued by .

June 24, 2011

After 30 years of performance Extra Aircraft can list another brand-new milestone in the company's history: On June 17th the 'Extra 500' turboprop achieved IFR approval.

Thus using the airplane in its natural environment has become much easier, being almost independent from weather conditions. It is a major improvement for the aircraft. The easy to use Avidyne Entegra Release 9 flight deck, offering 2 fully redundant integrated flight displays (IFD-s), allows flying IFR the relaxed way. The Entegra equipment includes a QWERTY keyboard, reducing workload during single-pilot operation. In addition, the 'Extra 500' comes with the STEC 55X autopilot and optional Avidyne Traffic Advisory and Weather Detection Systems. The 6-seat full carbon-fiber Business Tourer is state-of-the-art.

The EASA Major Change Approval is another step forward on the way for the 'Extra 500' turboprop. Being safe and practical, Walter Extra always looks through the eyes of a pilot when engineering a new aircraft. In case of the EA 500 he successfully constructed a very special airplane. The EA 500 shows all the features that characterizes the Extra-planes: Easy handling, ideal construction and safety – all in one! It does not have to be aerobatics exclusively: the 'Extra 500' is suitable for pilots wanting to combine Extra-reliability with Extra-comfort! In addition of all that, the 6-seat Business Plane is powered by a reliable 450HP Rolls-Royce turboprop engine, driving a 5 bladed propeller. The typical EXTRA-handling characteristics are still unsurpassed. Fuel economy and a pressurized cabin up to 25,000ft are features that will additionally convince.

With the approval for the Avidyne panel, a new era applies in a unique way: for the 'Extra 500'.

One of the basic flight rules: „See and be seen" - find out for yourself: the 'Extra 500' looks good, and even flies better!