With a desire to continue to improve upon the successful Extra 230, Walter Extra begins to develop a successor that would deliver increased performance and maneuverability to compete at the unlimited level. The Extra 260 (D-EBEW) benefits from Extra 230 pilot feedback and other lessons learned, with the prototype having a 260hp Lycoming six cylinder and three blade prop, the Extra 260’s roll rate increases to approximately 360 degrees per second and is capable of a vertical penetration of nearly 4,000 feet per minute. The airframe is a blend of traditional and cutting-edge construction with its steel tube fuselage, wooden wing, and composite horizontal and vertical tail surfaces as well as the landing gear. The wing features an almost full span carbon fiber aileron. A total of four (4) Extra 260’s were manufactured between ’86 and ’90.
The later three Extra 260s (SN002, SN003, and SN004) end up being evolutions of the initial Extra 260 prototype SN001 and end up in the hands of Patty Wagstaff, Catherine Maunoury, and Diane Britten.
The Extra 230 maintains a similar presence during the ’87 FAI European Aerobatic Championship, with Eric Müller once again at the podium in third. At the same time, the Extra 260 makes its debut on an international level with Walter Extra competing with the original prototype D-EBEW. A total of eight (8) pilots represented the Extra brand at this event, placing throughout the rankings.
Following Clint McHenry’s first U.S. National Aerobatic Championship Unlimited title win in ’86, he preserves his title with another championship in ’87.
