Frank Christensen Honored at AirVenture on 40th Anniversary of the Eagle Aerobatic Biplane

July 31, 2017
Aircraft designer, kit manufacturer, and aerobatic pilot will be inducted into the Aerobatics Hall of Fame this fall.

Oshkosh, WI – The International Aerobatic Club (IAC) rolled out the Red Carpet at EAA’s AirVenture 2017 for Frank Christensen, aircraft designer, kit manufacturer, and aerobatic pilot. The occasion was the 40th anniversary of the introduction of the Christen Eagle, an aerobatic aircraft that Frank designed and manufactured as a competitor to the Pitts Special. The Eagle II, a two seat version are still very active in aerobatic competitions around the world. Hundreds of Eagles have been built and flown in the past four decades. Only a few single seat versions have been built.

Having been a successful aerobatic pilot and former US Aerobatic Team Manager, Frank knew what he wanted in a competitive airplane. He incorporated a number of significant innovations in the Eagle. This included his inverted oil system that is now found universally in aerobatic aircraft.

The Eagle has had a profound impact on the world of aerobatics. It also became one of the most revered aircraft in the world of airshows when Frank talked Charlie Hillard, Tom Poberezny and Gene Soucy into retiring the Pitts Specials they were flying as the Red Devils Aerobatic Team and replacing them in 1979 with Christen Eagles. The group then became known as the Eagles Aerobatic Team and for a quarter century they were the primo aerobatic act in the airshow circuit, revered for their boldness, precision, and thrilling routine. The Team and the aircraft had a dramatic impact on the lives of a lot of pilots.

Frank’s greatest contribution to sport aviation, however, may have been in the standard he set for homebuilt aircraft kits. He revolutionized the homebuilding industry with the thoroughness of his kits, the amazing series of detailed, illustrated builders’ manuals he created to go with the kits and the support he provided the people who built them. Many kit-makers have emulated what Frank introduced at the EAA Aviation Convention in 1977, but none have exceeded the gold standard he set.

What seemed to impress Frank the most during the day he spent at AirVenture this year, and in the evening ceremonies where he was recognized for his accomplishments, were the pilots who came up to him all day long and told him “You changed my life.” Whether inspired by the Eagle Aerobatic Team, by building an Eagle, or by flying in competition with an Eagle, there are a lot of people who expressed profound appreciation, respect and esteem after shaking his hand.

It was announced at AirVenture, while presenting the Curtiss Pitts Trophy for Outstanding Aircraft Design, that Frank Christensen will be inducted into the Aerobatics Hall of Fame this fall.