Agnew Emiel Larsen (April 3, 1897 – August 17, 1969) was an American aircraft engineer who designed a series of pioneering airmail aircraft, and engineered progressive improvements to rotary wing aircraft that are in use in most modern helicopters currently. Larson invented an inflatable gyrocopter parachute that was featured in Popular Mechanics.

Biography

He was born on April 3, 1897. In 1916

Harold Pitcairn Harold Frederick Pitcairn (June 20, 1897 – April 23, 1960) was an American aviation inventor and pioneer. He played a key role in the development of the autogyro and founded the Autogiro Company of America. He patented a number of innovations ...

attended an apprenticeship at

Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company (1909 – 1929) was an American aircraft manufacturer originally founded by Glenn Hammond Curtiss and Augustus Moore Herring in Hammondsport, New York. After significant commercial success in its first decades ...

, becoming friends with Larsen. In 1925 Larsen and Pitcairn approached Cierva about licensing autogiro technology. In 1927, longtime friend, Pitcairn approached Larsen to leave the

Thomas-Morse Aircraft The Thomas-Morse Aircraft Corporation was an American aircraft manufacturer, until it was taken over by the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in 1929. History Founded in 1910 by English immigrants William T. Thomas and his brother Oliver W. T ...

company, to join Pitcairn Aircraft Company as chief engineer. Larson developed the

Pitcairn PA-1 Fleetwing The Pitcairn PA-1 Fleetwing (Pitcairn Aviation - One) is the first biplane designed for air racing and commercial airmail service by Pitcairn Aircraft Company The Pitcairn Aircraft Company was an American aircraft manufacturer of light u ...

, the first of a long series of biplanes for Pitcairn. In 1930, Larsen won the

Collier Trophy The Robert J. Collier Trophy is an annual aviation award administered by the U.S. National Aeronautic Association (NAA), presented to those who have made "the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to im ...

along with Pitcairn for the work on autogiro technology. 1947 Larsen merges his company rotawings with the

Glenn L. Martin Company The Glenn L. Martin Company—also known as The Martin Company from 1957-1961—was an American aircraft and aerospace manufacturing company founded by aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin, and operated between 1917-1961. The Martin Company produc ...

. Larsen died from cancer on August 17, 1969, in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.

Legacy

Greg Larsen, Agnew E. Larson's grandson is a business development manager for the Hagerstown, MD, Regional Airport founding

Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) is a private trade school focused on aviation-related programs with its main location in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. The institution's headquarters is at the Allegheny County Airport and it has three ...

school for aircraft technicians.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Larsen, Agnew American aerospace engineers 1969 deaths 1897 births 20th-century American engineers