Theiss Aviation

Theiss Aviation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Salem, Ohio. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of unmanned aerial vehicles and at one time produced ultralight aircraft in the form of kits for amateur construction.[1][2]

Theiss Aviation
TypePrivately held company
IndustryAerospace
Founded1991
Headquarters
Salem, Ohio
,
United States
Key people
President - Shawn Theiss
Vice President - Richard Theiss
ProductsKit aircraft, UAVs
Websitewww.theissaviation.com

The president is Shawn Theiss and vice president is Richard Theiss. The chief test pilot is Thomas Zets.[3]

History

The company was formed in 1991 to produce ultralight aircraft kits using a new inexpensive, light-weight construction technique. The company produced two 1930s-style replica designs for the homebuit market, the Theiss Speedster and the Theiss Sportster, which was introduced in 1998.[1][2]

As a result of these designs in 1998 the company was approached by the head of the Tactical Electronic Warfare Division's Offboard Countermeasures Vehicle Research Section, United States Naval Research Laboratory to produce UAVs for the US Navy. This resulted in the design of the Theiss Tarzan, which entered Naval service as the Dakota II.[2]

The company stopped working on manned general aviation aircraft to concentrate entirely on UAVs. The company produces a series of UAVs, including the Theiss NIRV (Nature Inspired Reconnaissance Vehicle) that is designed to resemble a soaring bird to conduct covert reconnaissance in urban and rural areas, with models that resemble a vulture, gull and hawk. The company also designs custom UAVs for customers.[2][4][5]

Aircraft
Summary of aircraft built by Theiss Aviation
Model name First flight Number built Type
Theiss Speedster at least two Single seat ultralight biplane
Theiss Sportster 1998 at least one Single seat ultralight biplane
Theiss Tarzan 1998 UAV
Theiss NIRV small bird-like UAV
Theiss Ferret small UAV
Theiss Super Ferret small UAV
Theiss TIC micro UAV

References
  1. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 360. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  2. "Theiss Aviation History". Theiss Aviation. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  3. "Theiss Aviation Contact". Theiss Aviation. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  4. "Theiss Aviation UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle NIRV". Theiss Aviation. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  5. "Theiss Aviation Custom Design and Fabrication". Theiss Aviation. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
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