RUTAN "LONG-EZ" - Plane + Pilot

RUTAN “LONG-EZ”

Plane & Pilot

Friday, April 16, 2010 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By: Omar Filipović

Key Takeaways:

Rutan's Long-EZ is a larger, heavier evolution of the VariEze, built around a 115-hp Lycoming engine with increased wingspan and wing area.
It offers superior performance compared to its predecessor, featuring shorter takeoff distances, significantly reduced landing rolls, and an impressive cruise speed of 185 mph with a range of nearly 1,300 miles.
The aircraft has demonstrated remarkable endurance and speed, exemplified by Dick Rutan's record 52.2-hour flight averaging 183 mph.

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Rutan’s Long-EZ is a larger and heavier version of the VariEze built around the 115-hp Lycoming engine. It has over four feet more wingspan and nearly half again the wing area of the VariEze. It takes off in 100 feet less distance and lands in only slightly more than half the distance of the original VariEze. While identical in length-100 inches-the long version is two inches wider. During one record flight, Dick Rutan logged 52.2 hours on a two-week round-trip to Florida from Mojave, averaging a 183-mph airspeed.