Christen Industries / Aviat Aircraft Christen Eagle Ii

Single Piston

The Christen Eagle II is a high-performance aerobatic biplane that brought competition-grade aerobatics within reach of homebuilders starting in 1977. Designed by Frank Christensen as a refined evolution of the legendary Pitts Special, the Eagle II features a symmetrical airfoil, inverted fuel and oil systems, and a robust steel-tube fuselage capable of sustaining +/- 6G loads throughout its flight envelope. Powered by a 200-horsepower Lycoming AEIO-360 engine driving a constant-speed propeller, the aircraft delivers exceptional roll rates exceeding 180 degrees per second and can execute the full catalog of Aresti aerobatic figures with precision. Its tandem seating configuration places both occupants on the aircraft's centerline for optimal visibility and control harmony during inverted flight. Originally marketed as a kit aircraft by Christen Industries and later by Aviat Aircraft after the 1993 acquisition, the Eagle II became a dominant force in Unlimited aerobatic competition throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. The type earned numerous medals at U.S. National Aerobatic Championships and represented American pilots at multiple World Aerobatic Championships. Its docile handling characteristics and forgiving stall behavior made it popular not only among seasoned competition pilots but also among recreational aerobatic enthusiasts seeking a capable trainer for advanced maneuvers. The aircraft's relatively light wing loading of approximately 12 pounds per square foot allows sustained vertical performance while maintaining excellent energy retention through complex sequences. Today the Eagle II remains a sought-after platform in the vintage aerobatic community, prized for its honest handling and mechanical simplicity compared to modern composite designs. Most examples fly with the 200-hp Lycoming, though some builders have experimented with higher-output engines up to 260 horsepower for enhanced vertical performance. The type's open-cockpit variant and its distinctive red-white-and-blue paint schemes make it a crowd favorite at airshows across North America. SkyMeter has tracked 65 flights across 26 airframes and 24 operators, with DOUBLE EAGLE AIR INC the largest observed operator.