While Rutan was readying Voyager for its first flight ... Raptor D-2 The second Raptor was large enough for its test pilot to fit inside. Beginning in 1995, it was one of several aircraft to ...

an esteemed aerospace design engineer known for developing the Rutan Voyager, the airplane that completed the first nonstop, non-refueled flight around the world in 1986. The Long-EZ aircraft came ...

Their aircraft was the Rutan Model 76 Voyager, a lightweight craft that could carry more than four times its weight in fuel. Rutan’s brother, Burt, designed and built the craft over a six-year span.

Voyager left from Edwards Air Force Base in California just after 8 a.m. on Dec. 14, 1986. Rutan said with all that fuel, the wings had only inches of clearance. Dick couldn't see when they ...