The Christen Eagle is an aerobatic sporting biplane aircraft that has been produced in the United States since the late 1970s. In the 1990s, it became known as the Aviat Eagle after Aviat Aircraft purchased rights from Christen Industries. As of 2025, the airplane title has reverted back to the Christen Eagle after a newly formed Christen Industries renewed production. [1]
Design
The aircraft was intended to compete with the Pitts Special. Designed by Frank Christensen, originally of Salt Lake City,[2] the Eagle II is marketed in kit form for homebuilding. The Eagle II is a small aircraft of conventional configuration with single-bay, equal-span staggered biplane wings braced with streamlined flying and landing wires and an I-strut to form a box truss. The pilot and a single passenger sit in tandem underneath a large bubble canopy. The tailwheel undercarriage is fixed, with the mainwheels mounted on spring aluminum legs. The main wheels are housed in streamlined fairings. The fuselage and tail are constructed of chromoly steel welded tube, with the forward fuselage skinned in aluminum and the rear fuselage and tail covered in fabric. The wing structure is Sitka spruce wood and fabric covered. The engine cowling is fiberglass. By 2011 over 350 aircraft were flying.[3][4]
Single seat variant. Lycoming AEIO-540 260hp (190kW). First design model, built at the San Carlos Airport. Four airframes built, one is now based in Dallas Texas, the other 3 are in the EAA Museum in Oshkosh WI.
Christen/Aviat Eagle II
Most common variant, two seat dual controls. Lycoming AEIO-360.200hp (150kW)
Two built. Lycoming AEIO-540 300hp (220kW). Formerly flown by the Iron Eagles aerobatic team, now owned by Professional Pilots based in Texas and Alaska.
Christen Super Eagle II
Several examples built, two seats, limited fuel tanks.
Specifications
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003–2004[7]
