Scott Christensen: 1942-2008

     It is with great sadness that we report the sudden and unexpected passing of Scott Christensen on December 30, 2008. He was not only Sig Manufacturing's vice president of R&D and head designer since 1999; he was our friend and fellow modeler.

     Scott's everyday accomplishments added up to a full and rewarding life. He was devoted to his family and is survived by his wife, Marcia; son, Matt; and daughter, Amanda.

     Scott was a veteran of the US Air Force, a fan of classic cars—having just completed a restoration of a 1957 Chevy—and a true giant of the model aircraft industry. If you are a fan of model aviation, you owe a great debt to Scott Christensen.

     He started building model airplanes at the age of 6 with his father. By age 10, he was flying CL models and designing his own FF aircraft. In 1953, at age 11, Scott flew his first RC model: a Guillow's Trixter Beam, on rudder control.

     One of Scott's many interests was RC sailplanes, and in 1968 he became one of the founding members of the LSF—the League of Silent Flight—helping to design the foundations of this popular soaring group. (He was member 001.)

     Scott was an avid competitor, with multiple flying wins at the AMA Nats and multiple wins at display events such as the annual Toledo Show, where his design and building skills were evident.

     For more than four years, Scott had flown the Sig Antoinette in competition and was undefeated, having won every contest in which he entered it. At the 2008 AMA Nats, he was recognized for his years of contributions to model aviation by being inducted into the AMA's Model Aviation Hall of Fame.

     Scott joined the model industry in 1976 at Airtronics. Through the years, he also worked at Top Flite, Hobbico, International Hobbycraft, and Sig Manufacturing. The list of Scott Christensen-designed models that he produced during his career could fill a museum.

     The list includes the Airtronics Warlock 05 and Warlock 40; the Cox Piper Arrow; the Top Flite Elder, Hot Kanary biplane, and Metrick and Antares sailplanes; the Sig Rascal Series (Rascal, Lil Rascal, Nitro Rascal, Rascal 40, and Rascal 110); the Sig Demoiselle indoor model; the Sig Waco SRE; and many more.

     We think that there can be no better tribute to Scott Christensen than the knowledge that the models he designed will be flown by generations of current and future modelers.

Scott Christensen receives his Model Aviation
Hall of Fame plaque from AMA Executive Director
 Jim Cherry during the 2008 Nats.

     He will be missed. MA

—From a Sig Manufacturing Press Release

Also in this month's In the Air section in Model Aviation:

• 25 Years Ago in MA: March 1984

• Skymasters Participate in Operation Good Cheer

• Kentucky Club Helps Member Pay for Prosthetic Leg

• Cub Scout Model Aviation Jamboree

• Munsee Skyschiefs Teams With Big Brothers Big Sisters

• Students and Engineers Set Record Fuel-Cell-Powered RC Flight

• Letter From a Modeler's Wife

• The 3-D-Flying Pastor