The Extra family remains one of the most popular scale aerobatic subjects out there, and a proper pre-season check pays off given how hard these models tend to get flown.
Landing gear first. Extras see some of the hardest, most repeated landing loads of any common scale subject, thanks to their aerobatic flying style — check both legs for the stress signs covered in Day 4, paying particular attention to the mounting area, which takes the most repeated flex over a season of hard 3D and aerobatic landings.
Wheel pants, if fitted, are worth a specific check on Extras given how tightly they’re often fitted for scale accuracy — a season of vibration and hard landings can work pant mounting wire loose even when everything looked fine at the end of last season.
Engine mount and firewall, particularly on the larger petrol-powered 260/300 variants, take significant vibration over a season — a visual check for any hairline cracking around mounting bolts is worth two minutes before your first flight.
Control surface hinges and linkages on an Extra see more full-deflection cycling than most sport models, given how the type is typically flown — a full-range check by hand, feeling for any play or binding, catches wear before it becomes a control surface departing mid-manoeuvre.
If your Extra has sat for the winter, a full re-torque of every accessible fastener — gear, engine mount, control horns — is worth doing as standard practice rather than assuming everything’s still as tight as when you packed it away, particularly with a model that flies as demandingly as this one typically does.
A thorough pre-season check on an Extra usually takes under an hour, and given how hard these models are typically flown, it’s an hour well spent.
For a real-world example, have a look at our EXTRA 300 90 size nitro or electric Carbon Fibre Undercarriage.