E-flite Extra 300 3D 1.3m Review: Your First Aerobatic Plane

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This E-flite Extra 300 3D 1.3m review is for the pilot who has already put time on a four-channel trainer and wants a fully symmetrical, 3D-capable aerobat — not for a first-time flyer. The Extra 300 3D 1.3m is Horizon's discontinued 51.5-inch EPO aerobat with a 4250-910Kv outrunner, 60A ESC, four 23g digital metal-geared servos, and a factory-installed Spektrum AS3X receiver depending on the version.

Horizon positioned the Extra 300 as the next step after a high-wing trainer or sport model: a dedicated precision and 3D platform for pilots who already have reliable orientation, recovery habits, and landing discipline. The official skill rating is Level 3, and Spektrum's own DXS documentation warns that the model remains highly reactive even on low rates. That distinction is the foundation of this review.

This guide connects the official specification sheet with years of owner evidence. It covers the version split between the original EFL11550 and updated EFL115500, BNF versus PNP differences, a conservative first-flight setup for CG, rates and expo, 3S versus 4S power behavior, and the recurring durability points that matter most on used examples.

This is aimed at an intermediate pilot who can already fly clean circuits, recover from unusual attitudes and land without SAFE doing all the work. If that description does not fit yet, the Extra 300 should wait.

Specs at a Glance

E-flite Extra 300 3D 1.3m — Overview & First Impressions

The Extra 300 3D 1.3m was Horizon's bridge between a trainer and a dedicated aerobat. The airframe is a 51.5-inch, fully symmetrical EPO model with composite reinforcement, oversized 3D control surfaces, a two-piece wing on a carbon-fiber tube, and magnetic battery/electronics hatches. Those are not casual sport-plane details; the combination is aimed squarely at precision tracking and aggressive post-stall work.

Horizon lists the current BNF SKU as Skill Level 3, which is the same intermediate rating used for responsive sport aerobats rather than primary trainers. Spektrum's own DXS transmitter documentation reinforces this by warning that the Extra 300 preset remains very reactive even at low rates and recommending a programmable transmitter with proper rates and expo. The airframe does not become a trainer because SAFE Select is available.

There are three configurations to keep straight. The original BNF Basic, EFL11550, launched in January 2019 with an AR636 receiver. The updated BNF Basic, EFL115500, replaced the AR636 with an AR631 and revised the manual by October 2020. The PNP version, EFL11575, ships with the same motor, ESC, servos and airframe but no receiver, so native AS3X and SAFE Select are not part of that package. The AR631 BNF later became the more common used-market reference point.

The first impression out of the box matches the spec sheet: the model is nearly ready, with a clear canopy, instrument panel, pilot figure and high-contrast white, gray, yellow and black scheme. Assembly is straightforward and was rated at under an hour on the original release, but the receiver, battery, charger and transmitter are not in the box. A pilot stepping into this as their first fully symmetrical airplane needs to spend more time on setup than on assembly.

Specs & What's in the Box

The core power system stayed constant across the BNF and PNP versions. The Extra 300 uses a 4250-910Kv brushless outrunner, a 60A brushless ESC, and four 23g digital metal-geared servos linked with ball-link-equipped control rods. That servo and linkage choice matters more than the raw motor spec: digital metal-geared servos and ball links reduce slop on a model with very large surfaces and high deflection.

The stock propeller is a 13x6E wooden two-blade. Wooden props are stiff and efficient, but they are also fragile on imperfect landings. The manual's reference battery is a 4S 2200–3200mAh LiPo, while the official envelope supports both 3S and 4S packs of 2200–3200mAh with EC3/IC3 connectors. No battery, charger, or transmitter is included in either BNF Basic or PNP form.

The receiver is the main version difference:

Do not call the EFL115500 an Avian-ESC or AR637TA model. Some secondary listings mix later E-flite electronics into the description, but Horizon's own product page confirms the standard 60A ESC and AR631 receiver for the updated BNF. The model is discontinued, so the realistic path is a used BNF or PNP airframe, with Horizon spare components such as the motor, landing gear, motor board and shaft still commonly listed.

Build Quality & Durability

The airframe itself is well conceived. The fully symmetrical wing, composite-reinforced EPO structure, ball-link linkages and carbon wing tube are the right foundation for a 3D aerobat. Most long-term ownership complaints are not about the foam or flight controls; they concentrate in two specific areas: landing gear and the motor board.

The stock wire main gear is the most repeated durability issue. Horizon-sourced owner comments describe the thin wire gear bending after modestly imperfect arrivals, and repeated straightening can fatigue it. On grass, the wheel pants and small wheels add another problem: the pants collect vegetation and can impede the wheels. Owners commonly remove the wheel pants for rough-field use and brace or replace the wire gear. A flat aluminum or carbon-fiber-style gear is a frequent community recommendation, but no single exact-fit aftermarket part is universal enough to nominate here as the canonical replacement.

The motor board deserves regular inspection. Multiple replacement-fuselage owners have reported the motor board loosening to the point that thrust angle changes under power, which is not cosmetic. Horizon still sells the replacement motor board under part number EFL11593, which tells you it is a recognized spare point. The recommended practice is to inspect the board for movement or cracked adhesive and reinforce it before it comes loose.

Corroboration for both weak points comes from E-flite itself. The current Extra 330 SC 1.3m successor is officially described as having a stronger motor mount and stronger aluminum landing gear in place of the Extra 300's wire gear. That does not make the Extra 300 fragile overall, but it confirms that the two most-reported owner concerns were real enough for the manufacturer to address in the next generation.

Performance — Aerobatics & Flight Character

The Extra 300 is built around a fully symmetrical airfoil, so it flies as cleanly inverted as upright. That is the defining characteristic, and it means setup matters more than raw throttle. A tail-heavy example becomes especially twitchy in pitch, which is the most common route to an "uncontrollable" first flight.

The official CG range is 90–100 mm behind the wing leading edge measured at the fuselage, with the manual specifying an inverted check. For a first aerobatic model, the community advice is to start at the conservative forward end of that range rather than chasing an aft 3D CG. Owners report needing to move batteries far forward just to hit the published range, so balance the model before assuming the wing is wrong.

Rates and expo are the next gate. The updated manual gives a low-rate starting point of 30 mm aileron, 45 mm elevator and 70 mm rudder, with high rates of 50 mm aileron, 60 mm elevator and 100 mm rudder. Expo starts at 15% low and 30% high on all three axes. Many owners run more than the manual's 30% high-rate expo, with community recommendations commonly reaching 50% or more. The manual also warns against reducing transmitter rates below 50% while using AS3X; if less throw is genuinely needed, change the mechanical linkage instead.

Battery choice shapes the flight. The official system supports 3S and 4S 2200–3200mAh packs. A 4S 2200-class pack is the preferred performance setup for agility, while 3S softens acceleration and vertical authority and can be useful during familiarization. A 3200mAh pack adds duration but also mass and influences CG. Flight time is short when flown hard: one verified owner reported about 3:30 on a 4S 2500mAh pack, which makes the manual's 3-minute initial timer a sensible conservative starting point. There are no flaps or retracts, so landing is about energy management and throttle, not configuration.

E-flite Extra 300 3D 1.3m vs E-flite Extra 330 SC 1.3m — Head-to-Head

The Extra 330 SC is the current successor, not another SKU of the Extra 300.

Horizon explicitly describes the Extra 330 SC as an updated Extra 300 with a stronger motor mount, stronger landing gear, an 85A Smart Lite ESC and a larger hatch. Those changes line up almost exactly with the Extra 300's most documented ownership complaints. For a pilot buying new today, the Extra 330 SC addresses the known weaknesses directly.

The used Extra 300 still has a case. Because the airframe, motor and servos are shared across both BNF generations and the PNP, a patient buyer can find a used original or updated model with spare parts still available. The value depends on condition rather than the old retail price, and the right comparison is no longer "Extra 300 versus other discontinued aerobats" but "used Extra 300 versus current Extra 330 SC."

Recommended Upgrades & Best Accessories

• Programmable transmitter: A 6-channel-class programmable radio is the most valuable "upgrade" for this model. It gives access to the manual's rates and expo, and it lets a pilot run the recommended low-rate setup without the reactivity of a fixed DXS preset. For radio selection, see the RC plane transmitter and receiver guide.
• Spare 13x6E wooden props: Wooden props are stiff but vulnerable on landing. Keep spares, and check replacement bore fit and balance before fitting — an aftermarket prop that needs a reamer is safer than a forced install. The propeller guide covers sizing and balance.
• 4S 2200mAh LiPo packs: A 2200-class 4S pack keeps weight down while delivering the power the airframe expects. A 3200mAh pack adds duration but changes mass and CG. Start with proper storage and balance habits from the LiPo battery guide.
• Landing-gear attention: On rough grass, removing the wheel pants is the free first step. Bracing the wire gear or fitting a flat aluminum/carbon-style gear is the community-level fix. The landing gear guide explains the trade-offs.
• Motor-board inspection: Check the motor board for movement or cracked adhesive before every season and after hard arrivals. Horizon still lists replacement motor board EFL11593.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion & Final Verdict

The E-flite Extra 300 3D 1.3m is one of the clearest "right pilot, wrong first plane" models in the E-flite lineup. As a second or third airplane for a pilot moving from a trainer into precision and 3D work, it delivers a fully symmetrical airframe, strong servos with ball-link linkages, and accessible 3S/4S power. As a first RC airplane, it is a poor choice, and even Horizon's own documentation says so.

The ownership reality is more nuanced than the launch marketing. The wire landing gear bends, the wheel pants struggle on grass, and the motor board needs inspection. Those issues are well documented and are exactly what E-flite addressed in the Extra 330 SC successor. A used Extra 300 can still be a good buy for a pilot who knows what to inspect and who values the airframe's aerobatic honesty.

For the right pilot, the setup recipe is simple: forward-end CG, low rates, generous expo, 4S 2200mAh, and a programmable transmitter. Add spare wooden props and a disciplined preflight for the landing gear and motor board. Start with basic loops, rolls and stall turns before chasing hover or torque-roll territory — the model will support the progression, but only if you build it in order.

If you want the current version of this recipe, look at the E-flite Extra 330 SC successor with its stronger mount and gear. If you are buying a used Extra 300, check current availability on Amazon.

Continue with the basic aerobatic maneuvers guide, the best RC pattern and aerobatic planes roundup, and the takeoff and landing tutorial to put the setup into practice.