Our Extra 330LX 3m marks a complete departure from previous designs. With almost no elements derived from its predecessors, this aircraft represents a true revolution in the Large Scale Aerobatic Market. Its uniqueness and distinctiveness make it a truly exceptional undertaking that was initially met with skepticism and deemed impossible by many. Yet, those naysayers were proven very wrong. The CARF-Models 330LX 3m defies gravity and inertia, surpassing all expectations.
Shiny, rigid, complex composite parts spoil you with an almost maintenance-free surface. There are no wrinkles to be ironed out or risk of smoke fluid creeping under loose covering. However, the REAL durability will only be felt after years of hard flying, when other airframes would have been worn out and replaced several times.
Features
A wide 45-degree carbon web and cross-bracing in the canopy frame area achieve unbelievable torsion stiffness without adding weight. Subtle carbon reinforcements at just the right areas and critical points keep the weight extremely low. The solid carbon engine dome blends in with the stiffness overall.
Fuselage
The control surfaces are center hinged, the sealed bevels are precisely designed for the desired deflections of 38 degree aileron and 55 degree elevator and rudder. Servos are ganged where needed. They are installed close to the CG of the aircraft. The composite design gives a huge advantage in surface quality and structural integrity of the parts. Carbon reinforcements are placed exactly where they are needed, and unidirectional carbon in spars directs the fibers exactly in the load direction—not a single gram is wasted. The canopy opening is cross-braced so that the canopy can be attached with a single bolt. All parts are strictly weight controlled and documented in individual QC sheets.
The new, two-piece cowling is generously sized and accommodates all 170–210 cc twin-cylinder engines as well as all common 200–220 cc four-cylinder engines, thanks to a newly developed motor dome. Its length has been adjusted so that shorter twin-cylinder engines can be installed easily without any modifications or the hassle of extending the firewall. For longer four-cylinder engines, the dome can be shortened with minimal effort. A new firewall plate can be mounted directly inside the dome — and the four-cylinder engine is ready to go.
The two-piece cowling is one of the few elements carried over from the older Extra 330SC — and for good reason: it has proven to be extremely convenient for engine access at the flying field. You can remove the cowling without taking off the spinner and propeller — a huge advantage, especially when tuning the carburetor or performing maintenance work.
The new 330LX features a completely redesigned airfoil—nothing was carried over from previous Extra versions. It offers maximum aileron efficiency, stable harriers thanks to a generous leading-edge radius, and minimal drag at high speeds. The ailerons are beveled, equipped with 7 flat hinges, and allow for 38° of deflection. A sealed hinge line on the top adds to the incredible roll rate—over 720°/sec in level flight! Rifle rolls? Only limited by the pilot’s skills.
Thanks to the full composite construction, the control surfaces are both torsionally stiff and lightweight. All servos—even elevator and rudder—are located near the CG. The aileron servos are mounted directly in the wing root at the spar, making this setup superior even to lightweight wooden wings. The size, shape, and taper of the ailerons were also optimized, increasing chord at the tip and achieving the perfect balance between roll authority and drag.
Stab
Unique for a 3m Aerobat is that the stab halves have no elevator servos. These are installed as a ganged pair in the fuselage close to the CG and carry their torque to the elevators via a huge, light, and ultra-stiff carbon pushrod. Deflections of up to 55 degrees are possible. This system has been proven for many years and thousands of flights. It works flawlessly! No servos are in the tail. A central bellcrank, 20 mm pushrod, and carbon pin connect both elevator halves, allowing for a longer fuselage without CG issues—even with light engines like the ZDZ 195. No control horns, no linkages, no electrcial connectors... there is no way to have elevators installed any cleaner and lighter.
The rudder is beveled, uses six flat hinges, and has no internal hinge posts. It’s lightweight yet offers the largest surface in its class. A smaller counterbalance prevents high-speed hunting.
Engine Choice
Currently, most Extra 330LX are flown with DA-200 four-cylinder engines or the mighty ZDZ 195. Power-to-Weightratio-wisee, nothing beats the ZDZ, but the smoothness of a DA-200 is tempting, too. It depends on what you want to do most: IMAC style pattern, then the DA200 is for you. Extreme 3D, then the ZDZ might be your choice until other engines with that sheer power become available. Go, DA, go...!!
The landing gear has a single-piece design, not bolted to the fuselage through weakening holes but clamped. Made from a combined biaxial and unidirectional carbon lay-up around a 3-chamber sandwich construction. It still gives a lot of room for canisters placed in a completely separate muffler compartment, keeping heat away from RC components.
For our Extra330LX 3.0m,, we offer a wide range of accessories. These include DA Engines, fuel tank, smoke tank, zimmermann exhausts and more. In addition, we offer high-quality MacGregor servos in combination with our very own CARF-Models servo arms – perfectly matched to the model and the demands of a high-performance aerobatic plane.
Like all our airplanes, the Extra330LX 3.0m is no different. They boast meticulously applied PU paintwork, expertly executed in the molds. Explore a gallery of our stunning paint schemes in our shop, showcasing a collection of past projects, some of which were crafted to match unique customer requests. If you're seeking a personalized touch, we offer color swaps and completely custom designs developed through collaborative efforts between you and our skilled artists. Below are our Standard Schemes and a few standout examples:
I'm thrilled with my CARF-Models Extra 330LX (3.0m). Years of experience went into this design, focusing on reducing weight in the wings and tail. A new linkage and hinge system allowed for optimized wing and stab placement, dramatically improving flight characteristics.
The Extra excels in low-speed 3D with no stall tendencies, yet it’s also a top performer in IMAC and pattern. While it’s perfect for lightweight twin engines, I run a DA-200MG for smooth, constant power—making it a true competition-ready machine.
If you’re considering one, go for it. And Team CARF is always here to help!
Alexander Raff (Team Pilot)
Actually my very first CARF airplane. I dreamed of a 3m composite aerobatic aircraft for years and at the age of 15years I sold all my planes to get my first 3m Extra. Yes, the first one... I was totally blown away about the light flying characteristics for all the 3d maneuvers which lead me to get a second identical airplane two years later. The Extra definitly is the best aerobatic plane I have ever owned and helped me showing a lot of people what's really possible with composite 3d planes. There is no other plane that tracks that amazing and at the same time gives more than unlimited freestyle experience.
Max Chrubasik (Team & Factory Pilot)
The Extra 330 LX 3.05m is my first 3m model. During the maiden flight, I expected it to fly similarly "sluggishly" as I have seen with models from other manufacturers. Contrary to my expectations, the Extra flew very agile and nimble right from the start, just like I'm accustomed to with the 2.6m class. Consequently, I immediately felt comfortable with its flying characteristics and look forward to every opportunity to take the model out again. In conclusion, I can only say that I eagerly anticipate every flight with the Extra like a little child.
Philipp Kaindl (Team Pilot)
My 3m Extra 330LX is equipped with a DA 200L on cans, making it a smooth and powerful setup. MacGregor MACB8555 servos throughout the aircraft keeps it locked in and able to handle any maneuver. For a 3m airframe, this sure moves like a 120cc aircraft. The roll rate is very impressive, whether it be flying fast or slow and the stiffness of the airframe allows for incredible tumbles. If the plane is dialed in a sequence rate, it flies true lines and presents extremely well. This is a very fun show plane with an aggressive style, especially for its size!
Dean Lampron (Team Pilot)
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120" (3050 mm) |
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114" (2900 mm) |
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38 - 40 Lbs (17.5 - 18.5 kg) |
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170 - 220 cc |
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8 x SAVOX 2290 or MKS 380 or equivalent (due to special requirements please verify with us before you buy anything else) and 1-2 standard servo for throttle and choke |