Perhaps no designer’s products are more iconic — or easily recognizable — than those of the legendary Burt Rutan.
Burt Rutan in the early phase of building the first VariViggen.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.Burt’s first job out of University was at Edwards Air Force Base.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.Burt Rutan’s first experiment with a canard.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.One of the prototype wings for the VariEze.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.The first VariEze in the early stage of construction.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.Burt Rutan seen conducting an early workshop on hotwire/foam cutting techniques.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.Burt Rutan at his drawing table in the Pre-CAD days.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.The Defiant (closest), the VariEze and Mike Melville’s VariViggen.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.LongEZ flown through one of those YeeeeeHAh!!! maneuvers.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.Burt Rutan logging time on his computer. Note the model just to the right of the keyboard.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.Burt Rutan shows his pride in a hangar at Edwards AFB after the successful landing of the Voyager on December 23, 1986. The Voyager was a unique aircraft designed by engineer Burt Rutan to fly around the world non-stop and non-refueled. The craft piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeanna Yeager achieved its milestone goal in December 1986 after flying around the world in slightly over 9 days.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.Burt’s highly unusual design by anyone’s standard….the Grizzley.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.VariEzes and Long-EZs gathered at Mojave for a celebration of composite aircraft.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.Catbird and BoomerangFor more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.Burt Rutan’s BoomerangFor more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.Burt Rutan with models of some of his designs.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.The VariEze (closest), Defiant and the VariViggen.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.Burt has held forums every year he’s been at Oshkosh. You can guess which tent he was in for this forum.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.The Voyager at Oshkosh.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.Burt Rutan and Spaceship One.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.Burt Rutan and Tom Poberezny at Oshkosh 2005. Tom was quick to recognize and admire the genius and success of Burt Rutan.For more on Burt Rutan, read this full-length feature.