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 unique SkiGull, designed for take-off and landing on water, snow, and land, successfully completed its initial 1.8-hour test flight.
- The test pilot reported excellent stability, control, and impressive fuel efficiency during the flight.
- Despite positive initial handling, Burt Rutan identified the aircraft's stall characteristics as unacceptable due to lack of buffet and a roll-off, requiring further evaluation.
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