In 1946, Found Brothers Aviation was established by Nathan K. (Bud) Found and his brother Micky, to design and build the FBA-1 aircraft. The design was based on experience gained from bush operations north of Edmonton, and down the McKenzie River to the Arctic coast. It was designed to operate on wheels, tundra tires, skis and floats and to withstand the rugged use encountered in the undeveloped regions of Canada’s bush country. The FBA-1 first flew in 1949 and was used as a proof of concept aircraft.

Photos Source: R.A.Scholefield
The Centennial 100 was developed as an improved version of the Found FBA-2 in 1966-67. Only five were built.

Design refinements were started in 1950 for the FBA-2. Due to limited funds, progress was slow and this aircraft, with a tricycle landing gear, first flew in 1959. This flight demonstrated the aircraft’s excellent handling qualities and, as a result, John David Eaton (of Eaton's Department Stores) purchased two aircraft for Georgian Bay Airways in Parry Sound. Mr. Eaton also ended up being the major investor behind the development of the FBA-2C production model. Certification in Canada and the United States was obtained in 1964, with production starting that year.

The company had difficulty producing the hand-made aircraft in a profitable manner and production ceased in 1967, after only twenty-seven examples had been produced. During the following thirty years, the FBA-2C developed a legendary reputation as a safe, rugged, reliable, and economical aircraft. Nine FBA-2C's remain flying in Canada today, some having over 13,000 hours of operation.

In 1994, N.K. (Bud) Found regained control to the rights of the aircraft. In 1996, these rights were then transferred to Found Aircraft Development. This company, and its wholly owned manufacturing subsidiary, Found Aircraft Canada, were established to develop and produce the FBA-2C1 Bush Hawk, essentially a minor update to the original in order to comply with new regulations. In 1997, Transport Canada reinstated the FBA-2C's type certificate. After two years of redevelopment work to the design, the Bush Hawk was certified in Canada in March 1999 and the United States in March 2000.

Found Aircraft's largest customer to date is the United States Department of the Interior, which uses the aircraft mainly in its U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service division in Alaska.

Today, Found aircraft produces and sells the FBA-2C3 E350, which is an evolution of the 2C2 Bush Hawk, with tricycle landing gear, five seats and a Lycoming IO-580 engine producing 315 hp (235 kW).

This aircraft, taking off from a dry river bed, is one of the many Bush Hawk-XP's operated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in Alaska. These aircraft continously fly into some of the toughest areas in the world.

 This photo shows the Bush Hawk-XP taking off at the dirt strip next to Lake Hood in Anchorage, Alaska. The Bush Hawk-XP is one of the best selling new piston aircraft in Alaska!

BELIEVE IT! This aircraft on Aerocet 3500 straight floats has a useful load of over 1400 lbs! Even more impressive is that this is a typical load for this hard working Northern Ontario operator.

Bush Hawk-XP with floats and Canoe.

Found Air Website

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