Christen Industries
IndustryAerospace
Founded1972 (1972)
FounderFrank L. Christensen
Defunct1991 (1991)
FateAcquired by Aviat
SuccessorAviat
Headquarters
Hollister, California
,
United States
A Christen A-1 Husky.

Christen Industries was an American aircraft manufacturer based in Hollister, California and Afton, Wyoming.

History

Founded in 1972, the company was created to manufacture the Christen Eagle, designed by Frank L. Christensen after he was unable to acquire the design rights to the Pitts Special.[1] Later that year, a three-man team from the company became the first American team to win the world aerobatic championship.[2] In 1983, the company announced that it acquired the design rights of the Laser 200 designed by Leo Loudenslager.[3]

In 1982, the company acquired Aerotek, moved to Afton, Wyoming and continued production of the Pitts Special alongside the Christen Eagle II kits.[4][5] The company then designed and manufactured the Christen Husky A-1 utility aircraft. In 1990, the company was the subject of a lawsuit claiming that the design of their aircraft was responsible for the death of a pilot.[6] Christen Industries was, in turn, bought by Aviat Aircraft, Inc. in 1991, who continued both product lines.[7][8]

Aircraft

Model name First flight Number built Type
Christen Special Single engine aerobatic biplane
Christen Eagle II 1977 Single engine aerobatic biplane
Christen Husky 1986 Single engine cabin monoplane

References

Notes

  1. ↑ "Aviat Aircraft History". Aviat Aircraft. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  2. ↑ Leyde, Tom (27 September 1982). "Frank Christensen: His Plane Brought a World Cup to the U.S." Salinas Californian. p. 26A. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  3. ↑ "Convention and Fly-In Lured 120,000 Monday". Oshkosh Northwestern. 2 August 1983. p. 4. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  4. ↑ Bagne, Mark (1 April 1983). "Expensive 'Toys' Prove Profitable". Kilgore News Herald. UPI. p. 12. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  5. ↑ LeMaster, Susan (2 May 1981), "Afton's Ultimate 'Rich Man's Toy'", Wyoming Horizons, pp. 8–9
  6. ↑ Cohen, Michael I. (17 April 1990). "Sprague Kin Sues Aircraft Dealer in Fatal Airplane Crash". The Transcript. p. 1. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  7. ↑ "Makers of Pitts Special Sell Interests". Casper Star-Tribune. 13 June 1991. p. A11. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  8. ↑ Ifland, Jane (20 July 1991). "Can You Not Keep a Secret?". Casper Star-Tribune. p. 37. Retrieved 27 October 2020.

Bibliography

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