Igor Bensen

Igor B. Bensen (April 1, 1917 – February 10, 2000) was the founder of the Bensen Aircraft, which produced a successful line of gyrogliders (rotor kites) and autogyros. 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 USA three years later, and was awarded 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.

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

Dr. Bensen earned a Doctor of Divinity degree from Indiana University in 1968. He died from Parkinson's disease at age 82.

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