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 Americans, 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 i ...

attended an apprenticeship at

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

, 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, Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in 1929. History Founded in 1910 by English immigrants William T. Thomas and hi ...

company, to join

Pitcairn Aircraft Company The Pitcairn Aircraft Company was an American aircraft manufacturer of light utility aircraft. An early proponent of the autogyro, the company, later known as the Autogiro Company of America among other names, remained in business until 1948. ...

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. Design The Fleetwing biplane featured three cockpits capable carrying four revenue ...

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

Collier Trophy The Robert J. Collier Trophy is awarded annually "for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been t ...

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 1917 to 1961, was an American aircraft and aerospace industry, aerospace manufacturing company founded by aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin. The Martin Company produced many impo ...

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

Jenkintown, Pennsylvania Jenkintown is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is approximately north of Center City Philadelphia. History The community was named for William Jenkins, a Welsh pioneer settler. The borough was settled in abou ...

Legacy

Greg Larsen, Agnew E. Larson's grandson is a business development manager for the Hagerstown, MD, Regional Airport founding Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics school for aircraft technicians.

References

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