Truly competitive unlimited class competition aircraft have settled into a basic design formula: Horsepower, and lots of it, usually 300hp or more; composite construction using lightweight but strong matrials; monoplane configuration varying from pure midwing to low wing placement, and lots of control authority, often with almost full span ailerons.

The CAP 231

The latest in a long line of aerobatic monoplanes produced by Avions Mudry of France, the CAP 231 is distinguisable by its low wing and rakish vertical fin and rudder. This example, painted in Breitling colors is flown by US Team member Linda Meyers Morrissey.

CAP 231 Photo: Jim Koepnick/EAA

The Extra 300

At the 1988 World Aerobatic Championships in Red Deer, Canada, Walter Extra stunned the world aerobatic community by flying a demonstration flight of the Unlimited Known in the then new Extra 300 - while carrying a passenger. From the beginning of its career, the Extra 300 has proven popular and competitive, and has spawned a number of improvements and variations. Here Swiss Team member Jean-Pierre Besson shows the airplane's lines over Yverdon-les-Bains, site of the 1990 World Championships.

Extra 300 Photo: Valentin Chareyron

The Sukhoi SU-26/SU-31

Introduced by the Soviet Team at Békéscsaba, Hungary during the 1984 World Championships, the SU-26 was one of the first of the composite material, monoplane design aerobatic aircraft of the modern era. After a slow start (26th in 1984) the Sukhoi as become the mainstay of team Russia. Imported in America by Pompano Air Center, the Sukhoi SU-26 and its two seat variation the SU-29 are familiar sights at aerobatic contests around the world. The latest refinement is the Sukoi SU-31, which is a single seat version of the SU-29 which makes greater use of lighter composite materials.

Sukhoi SU-26 Photo: Pompano Air Center

The Staudacher S300D

One of the recent developments of the basic 300 horsepower, low wing monoplane design formula is the Staudacher S300D, flown here by US Team member Diane Hakala. The Staudacher has a lower profile cowling than most monoplanes, which accentuates its canopy and huge vertical fin and rudder. The airplane in profile seems almost a mild caracture of an aerobatic machine, with the big propeller, the pilots canopy and the extensive control surfaces looming on tiny wheels and the long wing, tipped with the horizon sighting device that marks a serious competition airplane.

Staudacher S300D Photo: Jim Koepnick/EAA

The Texas Hurricane

The Texas Hurricane and it's cheerful pilot/ owner/ co-designer Debby Rihn-Harvey are a metaphor for almost the entire history of the American aerobatic effort at the world level. The Stevens/Laser/Rihn/Harvey/Edge Texas Hurricane, and others like it speak to the freedom Americans enjoy to invent their own lives, and the individuality they exhibit when doing so. For all its utility trappings, the Hurricane gives nothing away to the store bought airplanes in the box. It's got just enough paint scheme to let the judges know for sure which side is up, and where it's headed at the moment, and not much more. It's got the roll rate, the vertical penetration, the control authority and the mean looks to get the job done.

Texas Hurricane Photo: Jim Koepnick/EAA

The Zlin 50

By now one of the oldest of the modern monoplane designs, the Zlin 50 was introduced in 1975. Czech pilot Ivan Tucek was the first World Champion on the Zlin 50, winning the 1978 title at Ceské Budejovice, Czechocolovakia. The latest Zlin 50LS sports 300 hp and remains competitive, although its steady progress through sequence does not command the vertical range of more recent designs.

Zlin 50 Photo: Peter Celliers Flight Fantastic