Igor Bensen

Igor Vasilevich Bensen (Russian: И́горь Васи́льевич Бенсен; April 1, 1917 – February 10, 2000) was a Russian-American engineer. He founded Bensen Aircraft, a US company which produced a successful line of gyrogliders (rotor kites) and autogyros.

Igor Bensen Figure at the North Carolina Museum of History

Early life and education

He was born in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, and eventually reached the United States in 1937. He began studies at age 17 while in Belgium, won a scholarship to study in the US three years later. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1940, later becoming a Registered Professional Engineer.

Career

Bensen flew his first towed gyroglider in 1954.[1] He founded the Popular Rotorcraft Association (PRA)[2] in 1962, a non-profit interest group for owners and homebuilders of autogyros and helicopters, based in Mentone, Indiana. He was the group's president[3] from 1962 to 1971.

Honors and awards

He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Indiana University in 1968.[4]

Personal life and demise

Bensen died from Parkinson's disease at age 82.[4]

References
  1. Francis, Devon (July 1954). "He Rides a Kite". Popular Science. p. 98 – via Google Books.
  2. "Gyroplanes Gyrocopters and Autogyros: Aviation's best kept Secret" (PDF). pra.org. Popular Rotorcraft Association. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  3. Palmer, Alex (November 7, 1971). "Gyrocopter Popularity Soaring". The New York Times. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  4. Farnham, Alan (May 29, 2000). "Dr. Bensen's Magnificent Flying Machine". Forbes. Retrieved July 24, 2018.


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