Christen Industries
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1972 |
| Founder | Frank L. Christensen |
| Defunct | 1991 |
| Fate | Acquired by Aviat |
| Successor | Aviat |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Christen Industries was an American aircraft manufacturer based in Hollister, California and Afton, Wyoming.
History[edit]
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[edit]
| 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[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ "Aviat Aircraft History". Aviat Aircraft. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Convention and Fly-In Lured 120,000 Monday". Oshkosh Northwestern. 2 August 1983. p. 4. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ Bagne, Mark (1 April 1983). "Expensive 'Toys' Prove Profitable". Kilgore News Herald. UPI. p. 12. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ LeMaster, Susan (2 May 1981), "Afton's Ultimate 'Rich Man's Toy'", Wyoming Horizons, pp. 8–9
- ^ Cohen, Michael I. (17 April 1990). "Sprague Kin Sues Aircraft Dealer in Fatal Airplane Crash". The Transcript. p. 1. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ "Makers of Pitts Special Sell Interests". Casper Star-Tribune. 13 June 1991. p. A11. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ Ifland, Jane (20 July 1991). "Can You Not Keep a Secret?". Casper Star-Tribune. p. 37. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
Bibliography[edit]
- Deutsch, Claudia H. (9 November 1987). "More Do-It-Yourself Fliers Build Own Airplanes". Sacramento Bee. p. C3. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- "EDSB Should Reconsider Loan Denied Afton Plane Company, Eddins Says". Casper Star-Tribune. AP. 15 January 1988. p. B1. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- Heller, Jean (13 July 1988). "Christen Toys Have Flyboys Flipping". Jackson Hole Guide. pp. C1, C3. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- Gunston, Bill (1993). World Encyclopedia of Aircraft Manufacturers. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. pp. 78, 241.
- Leyde, Tom (8 September 1979). "Buy It, Build It, Fly It". Salinas Californian. pp. 29–30. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- Leyde, Tom (4 September 1985). "Plane in a Kit". Santa Cruz Sentinel. pp. 19–20. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- "Industry Thrives in High Mountain Valley". Casper Star-Tribune. 18 June 1989. p. B6. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
External links[edit]
