Christen Industries
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1972 |
| Founder | Frank L. Christensen |
| Defunct | 1991 |
| Fate | Acquired by Aviat in 1991 Acquired by Christen Industries in 2025 |
| Successor | |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Website | christenindustries |
Christen Industries was an American aircraft manufacturer based in Hollister, California and Afton, Wyoming. As of 2025, Christen Industries is based out of Middleton, New Hampshire.
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]
In 2025, Chuck Therriault incorporated Christen Industries as a new company and purchased the Christen Eagle II rights from Aviat Aircraft, Inc. According to the new owner, the “...vision for Christen Industries is to carry on our amazing Eagle II aircraft with building new kits and parts support, while adding many new mods like carbon, and other lightweight newly designed products to support and modify the Eagle II. Also offering quick built and factory assisted aircraft."[9][10]
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
- ^ "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.
- ^ "About". Christen Industries. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "The Christen Eagle is Back! | Aero-News Network". www.aero-news.net. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
Bibliography
- 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.