Rutan Aircraft Factory Varieze

Single Piston

The Rutan VariEze is a revolutionary homebuilt aircraft that introduced canard configuration and composite construction to the general aviation world in the mid-1970s. Designed by aerospace engineer Burt Rutan and sold as plans for amateur construction, the VariEze (pronounced "very easy") featured a radical layout with the horizontal stabilizer mounted ahead of the wing, a pusher propeller, and a sleek fiberglass fuselage that delivered exceptional fuel efficiency and cross-country performance. The design proved that composite materials and unconventional aerodynamics could produce a safe, fast, and economical aircraft accessible to homebuilders. Powered typically by a Continental O-200 or similar four-cylinder engine of 100 horsepower, the VariEze achieved cruise speeds around 160-180 knots on just 4-5 gallons per hour, making it one of the most efficient aircraft ever built in terms of speed per fuel burn. Its tandem seating, low wing loading, and stall-resistant canard configuration gave it benign handling characteristics and the ability to operate from short runways. The type's influence extended far beyond homebuilding — Rutan's canard philosophy informed later designs including the Long-EZ, Beech Starship, and ultimately SpaceShipOne. Though production was limited to plans distribution from 1975 to 1985, several hundred VariEzes were completed and many remain active today in the experimental aircraft community. The type demonstrated that innovative aerodynamics and materials could outperform conventional designs, inspiring a generation of homebuilders and professional engineers alike. SkyMeter has tracked 17 flights across 7 airframes and 7 operators, with TROST PETER K the largest observed operator.