Dick Rutan

Thank you for stopping by!

On a cold December morning in 1986, the fuel laden Voyager struggled to become airborne to begin her journey around the world.

On one tank of gas and without refueling, the carbon composite honeycomb sandwich airplane, designed by Burt Rutan, would fly around the globe. Taking off from Edwards Air Force Base in California on December 14, 1986 and landing 9 days, 3 minutes and 44 seconds later on December 23, 1986, the Voyager set absolute distance records and many other world records that remain unchallenged today.

The Voyager is proudly suspended on permanent display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's "Milestones of Flight" gallery in our nation's capitol!

Adventure didn't stop with the Voyager flight. On this web site, you'll find out more about Dick Rutan's Vietnam service and re-visit, about other successful (and not so successful) world flight attempts, about his North Pole sightseeing tour turned rescue mission, and so much more...

Dick Rutan is very pro-education, and believes, "You are limited only by what you can dream." Years ago, he established The Dick Rutan Scholarship Fund, and has gifted thousands and thousands of dollars to young people to assist in furthering their educations. A recent recipient was Chris Hamilton, who was one of Dick's first Young Eagles (an EAA Youth Aviation Program). Chris is now attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and is majoring in Electrical Engineering. Those who have received scholarships are not required to have a future in aviation planned; they only need to have a dream. High

School seniors can request a scholarship application by writing to Dick (see contact page). On-line requests will not be acknowledged.

Dick is also involved in the Experimental Aircraft Association's Science, Math and Technology (S-M-T) program. This new teaching program has been very rewarding to teachers and students.

Do enjoy navigating this site and discovering more about Dick's adventures and projects. You'll also find great gift giving products that are available today, and others that will be available soon.

Enjoy your flight!