Rutan Aircraft Factory Long-Ez

Single Piston

The Rutan Long-EZ is a tandem two-seat homebuilt aircraft designed by Burt Rutan in the late 1970s, representing one of the most successful and influential kit aircraft ever created. With its distinctive canard configuration, pusher propeller, and sleek composite construction, the Long-EZ became the template for an entire generation of experimental aircraft and demonstrated that amateur builders could achieve airline-like efficiency and cross-country performance. More than 700 were completed worldwide between its introduction in 1979 and the end of plans sales in 1985, making it one of the most popular canard designs in aviation history. Powered typically by a Lycoming O-235 or Continental O-200 engine of 100-118 horsepower, the Long-EZ achieves remarkable fuel efficiency—often cruising at 160-170 knots on just 4-5 gallons per hour—thanks to its clean aerodynamics and lightweight composite construction. The aircraft's 56-foot wingspan and high-aspect-ratio canard provide exceptional lift-to-drag ratios, enabling ranges exceeding 1,600 nautical miles and making it a favorite among pilots who fly long cross-country routes. Its unusual configuration places the horizontal stabilizer ahead of the wing, making the design inherently stall-resistant and giving it benign handling characteristics despite its high performance. The Long-EZ's influence extends far beyond its own production numbers. Burt Rutan's innovative use of moldless composite construction techniques—employing foam, fiberglass, and epoxy—democratized advanced materials for homebuilders and inspired countless derivative designs. The aircraft's proven reliability and efficiency have kept examples flying actively for decades, with many original 1980s-era Long-EZs still logging hundreds of hours annually. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.