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Founded in 1972, the company was created to manufacture the [[Christen Eagle]], after designer Frank L. Christensen was unable to acquire the design rights to the [[Pitts Special]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aviat Aircraft History |url=http://aviataircraft.com/aviat-aircraft-history |website=Aviat Aircraft |accessdate=26 October 2020}}</ref> Later that year, a three-man team from the company became the first American team to win the world aerobatic championship.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leyde |first1=Tom |title=Frank Christensen: His Plane Brought a World Cup to the U.S. |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/520754357 |accessdate=27 October 2020 |work=Salinas Californian |date=27 September 1982 |page=26A}}</ref> In 1983, the company announced that it acquired the design rights of the Laser 200 designed by [[Leo Loudenslager]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Convention and Fly-In Lured 120,000 Monday |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/247900685 |accessdate=27 October 2020 |work=Oshkosh Northwestern |date=2 August 1983 |page=4}}</ref> |
Founded in 1972, the company was created to manufacture the [[Christen Eagle]], after designer Frank L. Christensen was unable to acquire the design rights to the [[Pitts Special]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aviat Aircraft History |url=http://aviataircraft.com/aviat-aircraft-history |website=Aviat Aircraft |accessdate=26 October 2020}}</ref> Later that year, a three-man team from the company became the first American team to win the world aerobatic championship.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leyde |first1=Tom |title=Frank Christensen: His Plane Brought a World Cup to the U.S. |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/520754357 |accessdate=27 October 2020 |work=Salinas Californian |date=27 September 1982 |page=26A}}</ref> In 1983, the company announced that it acquired the design rights of the Laser 200 designed by [[Leo Loudenslager]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Convention and Fly-In Lured 120,000 Monday |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/247900685 |accessdate=27 October 2020 |work=Oshkosh Northwestern |date=2 August 1983 |page=4}}</ref> |
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In 1982, the company acquired [[ |
In 1982, the company acquired a factory from [[Aerotek]], moved to [[Afton, Wyoming]] and continued production of the [[Pitts Special]] alongside the [[Aviat Eagle II|Christen Eagle II]] kits.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bagne |first1=Mark |title=Expensive 'Toys' Prove Profitable |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/612409209 |accessdate=27 October 2020 |work=Kilgore News Herald |agency=UPI |date=1 April 1983 |page=12}}</ref><ref>{{cite |last1=LeMaster |first1=Susan |title=Afton's Ultimate 'Rich Man's Toy' |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/446366991 |work=Wyoming Horizons |date=2 May 1981 |pages=8–9}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Michael I. |title=Sprague Kin Sues Aircraft Dealer in Fatal Airplane Crash |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/545575843 |accessdate=27 October 2020 |work=The Transcript |date=17 April 1990 |page=1}}</ref> Christen Industries was, in turn, bought by [[Aviat|Aviat Aircraft, Inc.]] in 1991, who continued both product lines.<ref>{{cite news |title=Makers of Pitts Special Sell Intrests |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/349572708 |accessdate=27 October 2020 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |date=13 June 1991 |page=A11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ifland |first1=Jane |title=Can You Not Keep a Secret? |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/349935745 |accessdate=27 October 2020 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |date=20 July 1991 |page=37}}</ref> |
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==Aircraft== |
==Aircraft== |
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| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1972 (1972) |
| Founder | Frank L. Christensen |
| Defunct | 1991 (1991) |
| Fate | Acquired by Aviat |
| Successor | Aviat |
| Headquarters |
,
United States
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Christen Industries was an American aircraft manufacturer based in Hollister, California and Afton, Wyoming.
Founded in 1972, the company was created to manufacture the Christen Eagle, after designer Frank L. Christensen 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 a factory from 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]
| 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 |
