Founded by
Giuseppe Mario Bellanca in 1927, Bellanca Aircraft was known
for its efficient, low operating cost aircraft. In the 1920s
and 1930s, Bellanca aircraft were famous for world record endurance
and distance flights. Lindbergh's first choice for his New York to
Paris flight was a Bellanca. The company's insistence on
selecting the crew drove Lindbergh to Ryan.
History
1922:
Roos-Bellanca Aircraft is formed
1923: Roos-Bellanca merges with Wright
Aeronautical to form Wright-Bellanca.
1927: Giuseppe Bellanca acquires the rights
to the WB-2 Columbia and forms the Columbia Aircraft Division of
Bellanca Aircraft.
1955: Bellanca Aircraft sold to Northern
Aircraft (later named Downer then International
Aircraft or Inter-Air).
1967: Bellanca name resurfaces as Bellanca
Sales, a subsidiary of Miller Flying Service of Inter-Air.
1970: Bellanca Sales acquires Champion
Aircraft and changes name to Bellanca Aircraft
1978: Bellanca Aircraft becomes a
subsidiary of Anderson Greenwood.
1982: Bellanca Aircraft assets sold to Viking
Aviation.
2002: Viking assets acquired by Alexandria
Aircraft.
---meanwhile---
1968: Giuseppe Bellanca and son August restart the original
Bellanca company.
1983: This new company becomes AviaBellanca
Aircraft