Rutan Long-EZ

Rutan Long-EZ: The Ultimate Homebuilt Voyager

The Rutan Long-EZ is a masterpiece of recreational aviation, designed by the legendary Burt Rutan to redefine long-distance travel. Its philosophy is not about the brute force of a massive engine, but about maximum efficiency and aerodynamic purity. It’s a plane for the builder who dreams of crossing continents on a garage budget, using advanced materials and a radical configuration to fly extremely far on minimal fuel.

Why Is It So Radically Different?

• Canard Configuration: It features a small wing (canard) on the nose and the main wings at the back. This radical layout makes the aircraft virtually stall-proof; if the speed drops too low, the nose gently pitches down automatically to recover lift before the main wings ever stall.

• Pusher Propeller: The engine and propeller are located at the back of the fuselage. This allows clean, undisturbed air to flow over the cabin and main wings, drastically reducing drag and maximizing performance.

• Composite Construction: Rutan revolutionized the industry by using a moldless construction method using high-density foam and fiberglass. This results in an extremely lightweight, corrosion-free structure with aerodynamically ultra-smooth surfaces.

• Retractable Nose Gear: While the main wheels are fixed and streamlined, the nose wheel retracts in flight. On the ground, this allows the plane to park “kneeling” on its own nose (its iconic parking stance), which prevents it from tipping backward due to the heavy rear engine when empty, and makes cabin access much easier.

• Integrated Strake Tanks: The wing extensions joining the fuselage (strakes) not only improve aerodynamics but also house the fuel tanks, providing astonishing range without compromising cabin space.

Performance and Key Numbers

For an aircraft you can build in your own workshop, its performance numbers are extraordinary and rival much more expensive commercial planes.

General Specifications:

• Crew: 2 (pilot and passenger in tandem, one behind the other)

• Wingspan: 26.1 ft (7.96 m)

• Length: 16.8 ft (5.12 m)

• Empty Weight: 710 lbs (322 kg)

• Max Takeoff Weight: 1,325 lbs (601 kg)

• Useful Load: 615 lbs (279 kg)

Performance (with a 115 hp Lycoming O-235 engine):

• Maximum Speed (Vne): 220 mph (354 km/h)

• Cruise Speed: 144 – 185 mph (232 – 298 km/h)

• Stall Speed: Does not stall conventionally (its minimum flight speed is approx. 62 mph / 100 km/h)

• Rate of Climb: 1,150 – 1,750 ft/min (350 – 533 m/min)

• Range: 1,200+ miles (1,930+ km), reaching up to 2,010 miles (3,230 km) in maximum economy configurations.

• G-Limits (Load Factor): +5G / -3G (under standard configurations, offering a very safe structural margin for long-distance travel).

• Required Runway: 950 – 1,200 ft (290 – 365 m)

In summary, the Rutan Long-EZ is not just a building project, but a ticket to long-distance freedom. It is a fast, astonishingly economical, and aesthetically futuristic aircraft capable of crossing continents with incredible efficiency. It represents the ultimate victory of clever design and innovation over conventional aviation solutions.