AW extras are very well balanced aerodynamically and shouldn't need much - or any - mixing at all. If your mixing was enough to cause a snap, there must have been other issues at work, like a CG problem.

The sole purpose of adding mixing to an airplane is to balance an aerodynamic imbalance that was "built" into the plane by its design. Examples are a stab at the wrong height or wing dihedral. The most extreme examples are bipes, that often need 25% or more rudder to aileron mix. Another reason for mixing is laziness. Rather than going to the trouble of changing engine thrust, which is a pain, I could use a mix to adjust the rudder or elevator as I advance the throttle. It is still an aerodynamic flaw I am correcting, though.

A perfectly designed and set-up aerobatic plane needs no mixing. The AW Extra is as close to perfect as I have seen. AW has done the homework for you and moved the wing and tail from their scale positions to balance the plane. Other extras may or may not be as well balanced.

If a plane needs mixing, then mixing will not get you into trouble.......if you do it correctly and only use enough to get the job done. If a plane doesn't need mixing - and many newer designs don't - then you are better off for it. If the plane does need mixing, though, it needs it all the time.

CJ