Last update: 26 June 2007 Send to a friend PrintPrint

Historical Background

1923

  • 3rd March - CASA was founded by Mr. José Ortiz de Echagüe.

1926

  • Cadiz factory was built, where the manufacture of the Dornier Super Wal and Dornier Wal was commenced.

1929

  • CASA's first prototype, a light aircraft designated CASA-1, was undertaken.

1940

  • Production began at the Seville factory, starting with the construction of the series of 200 Heinkel 111 planes under license from Germany.

1943

  • The National Institute for Industry "INI" took a 33% stake in CASA. This would later gradually increase to reach 99.28% in 1992.

1945

  • The Madrid factory was set up initially to carry out machining and later became a foundry in 1952.

1946

  • CASA re-started its design activity by setting up its Projects Office where work began on the creation of three transport aircraft prototypes: C-210 Alcotan, C-202 Halcon and C-207 Azor.

1955

  • 29th September - C-207 maiden flight.

1957

  • CASA was awarded the maintenance contract for the USAF F-100 aircraft based in Europe. The Spanish Air Force's T-33 planes were also overhauled at San Pablo Airport in Seville.

1965

  • It was agreed with Northrop that CASA would manufacture the supersonic twin-jet F-5 under license. 36 single seater F-5A and 34 two-seater F-5B were built.

1968

  • 21st August - The Air Ministry approved the C-212 project that had been officially presented in 1964.

1971

  • 26th March - Maiden flight of the C-212 prototype.
  • The "INI" obtained a majority shareholding in CASA and authorised a merger with CASA, effectively taking over Hispano Aviacion (HASA) on 31st July.

1972

  • CASA became a member of the Airbus Industrie Economic Interest Group.

1973

  • Negotiations were undertaken with Indonesia that resulted in an industrial collaboration agreement for the manufacture and licensed sale of the C-212.

1977

  • 27th June - Maiden flight of the C-101.

1979

  • CASA and IPTN of Indonesia decided to develop a light transport aircraft: The CN-235.

1983

  • 9th November - Maiden flight of the CN-235.

1988

  • The C-212 reaches 1,000,000 flight hours.

1992

  • 24th June - CASA delivers the 1000th Airbus stabliser.

1995

  • 11th December - Maiden flight of the CASA modernised Harrier II Plus.

1996

  • 3rd July - Celebration of the 25th anniversary and 2,000,000 flight hours of the C-212.
  • 31st August - Maiden flight of the Spanish prototype of the Eurofighter 2000 built by CASA.

1998

  • 21st January - Delivery to the Spanish Air Force of the first modernised version of the Hercules C-130.
  • CASA celebrates its 75th birthday.
  • 22nd December - Maiden Flight of the CASA C-295 S-1.

1999

  • 30th April - C-295 launching customer: Spanish Air Force.
  • 15th June - F.I.T.S. launching customer: Spanish Air Force.
  • 2nd December - CASA joins EADS.