Burt Rutan’s SkiGull successfully took to the skies this week from the Coeur d’Alene Airport. The unusual airplane, which is designed to take off and land from water, snow and land, flew for 1.8 hours with test pilot Glenn Smith at the controls.
Burt Rutan’s SkiGull Takes to the Skies
Key Takeaways:
- Burt Rutan's SkiGull, an unusual airplane designed for water, snow, and land takeoffs/landings, successfully completed its 1.8-hour maiden flight.
- Test pilot Glenn Smith reported excellent stability, control, and fuel efficiency, but identified an unacceptable stall characteristic with no buffet and a roll drop-off.
- The flight occurred strategically just weeks after water testing and hours before the first North Idaho snow, validating its multi-surface capability.
- Rutan, who built the SkiGull in 20 months, expressed relief at its completion and stated he will continue designing but will no longer engage in composite construction.
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