Antoine Ochsenbein 1921-1992

Antoine Ochsenbein was a military and test pilot who was famous for making the maiden flight of the first French Delta wing aircraft, the Payen PA-49 'Katy'. The PA49 was the work of Nicolas-Roland Payen. In May 1951,Payen and three workers contructed the PA-49A in a month! It was not until January 22 1954 that the Payen PA49 Katy took to the skies for the first time, piloted by Tony Ochsenbein. Between 1954 and the end of 1958, it carried out many flights. When the project ended, Payen offered the aircraft to the Aerospace Museum at Le Bourget, where it remains today. Ochsenbein also flew and tested the R.Hirsch 100 and the Bertin air cushion vehicle.