Burt Rutan is recognized as a legendary and iconic aircraft designer known for his easily identifiable and innovative products.
He pioneered unconventional aircraft designs like the VariViggen, VariEze, and LongEZ, actively engaging with and contributing to the homebuilding community.
His significant achievements include designing the Voyager, which made the first non-stop, unrefueled flight around the world in 1986, and the groundbreaking private spacecraft, Spaceship One.
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.
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