Designer Burt Rutan has become world famous for his unique advanced aircraft designs. In the late 1970s his company, Rutan Aircraft Factory, produced plans for several different types of homebuilt aircraft. One of the most popular is the high performance Long-EZ introduced in 1979. The aircraft’s fiberglass construction allows good performance and speed while using a small, economical engine. The forward canard gives the Long-EZ improved safety characteristics by preventing the aircraft from stalling when flown at low speeds.
John R. Stitt of San Diego, California built the aircraft on display between 1981 and 1983. He flew the aircraft for over 200 hours until his death in 1986. His family donated the plane to the Pima Air & Space Museum in 1987.
Wingspan
26 ft 2 in.
Length
16 ft 9 in.
Height
6 ft 6 in.
Weight
800 lbs (loaded)
Maximum Speed
185 MPH
Service Ceiling
25,000 ft
Range
1,500 miles
Engine
One Lycoming O-235-L2C with 115 horsepower
Crew
2
Manufacturer Rutan
Markings John R. Stitt, San Diego, California, 1983
Designation Model 61
Registration N82ST
Serial Number 442
Pima Air & Space Museum
Creating unlimited horizons in aerospace education through the preservation and presentation of the history of flight.