https://www.theguardian.com/wo...n-pilot-dies-aged-85

I remember following this.

Dang. 85 though.

Inspirational man.

My dad came very close building one of his designs, a VariEze. I think the only reason he didn’t is because the nose gear couldn’t handle grass runways.

The man was a genius in aircraft design.

quote:

Originally posted by Browndrake:
My dad came very close building one of his designs, a VariEze. I think the only reason he didn’t is because the nose gear couldn’t handle grass runways.
<snip>

While I was in high school I worked for a man that built a VariEze. In fact, I helped him form the wing airfoils. He flew it from a grass field on his farm.

that's sad news

I never had the chance to meet Dick but I knew his brother Burt and Mike Melville

I started building a VariViggen while a student at Northrop, and was just about finished all of the machined metal parts and brackets

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

quote:

Originally posted by Browndrake:
My dad came very close building one of his designs, a VariEze. I think the only reason he didn’t is because the nose gear couldn’t handle grass runways.
<snip>

While I was in high school I worked for a man that built a VariEze. In fact, I helped him form the wing airfoils. He flew it from a grass field on his farm.

Interesting….It is very possible that I am remembering wrong. I was a kid when those discussions were being made. Regard, they are a cool little airplane!

Just to clarify: Burt is the aircraft designer. Dick was a pilot with an amazing history prior to his nonstop flight around the world with Jeanna Yeager.

quote:

Vietnam War
Rutan served during the Vietnam War as one of the founding members of the "Mistys" of Operation Commando Sabre,[2] pioneering the use of tactical jets as a "FastFAC" (known as forward air control) for the FAC Airborne mission, which searched for and marked targets with white phosphorus rockets ahead of the strike package. He flew 325 missions but had to eject one time, when his "Hun" North American F-100 Super Sabre aircraft was hit.
After the war

Rutan was awarded the Silver Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals, and a Purple Heart. He retired from the Air Force in 1978 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. [4]

This is from Bill Whittle's Facebook page, posted yesterday.

My friend Dick Rutan passed away earlier this evening. I was greatly honored to write the following press release:

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Richard Glenn Rutan flew west on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 7:08 PM PDT

The last time Dick Rutan flew towards the western horizon was on December 14, 1986 when he and copilot Jeana Yeager set the last great aviation record by flying around the world, nonstop and unrefueled, in nine days, three minutes and 44 seconds in an aircraft called 'Voyager,' designed by his younger brother, legendary aircraft designer Burt Rutan.

A highly decorated Vietnam veteran, Dick Rutan flew 325 combat missions and was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with three silver oak leaf clusters, the Collier Trophy and was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross – twice.

During his time in the skies over Vietnam, Dick was a member of an elite group of Fast Forward Air Controllers, often loitering over enemy anti-aircraft positions for six hours or more in a single sortie. These extremely hazardous missions had the call sign 'Misty'; Dick Rutan was, and will forever be, Misty Four-Zero.

He spent his last day in the company of friends and family, including his brother, Burt, and passed away peacefully at Kootenai Health Hospital in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in the company of his loving wife of 25 years, Kris Rutan. He is survived by daughters Holly Hogan and Jill Hoffman, and his four grandchildren, Jack, Sean, Noelle, and Haley.

From the Wikipedia page for him - includes some history as well as a depiction of his military service ribbons.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Rutan

What an amazing life he had.


RMD