Rutan Defiant: Burt Sends Home Movie to EAA

September 16, 2010 —  In the 1970s Burt Rutan designed the Defiant, a push-pull light twin that would be safe and easy to fly, even during an engine failure. The first prototype flew in 1978 and the Rutan Aircraft Factory announced in 1979 that it would proceed with certification. During the development, a video was made to showcase the design process at the Rutan Aircraft Factory (RAF). It features a young Burt Rutan at a drawing board sketching out the design as glimpses of the finished airplane are interspersed with Beethoven-infused flying sequences—but we’ll let Burt introduce the video.

For the real old-timers, this one is sure to bring back some memories. The old video shows how RAF did aircraft design in the ’70s, and includes some fun beating up the hills west of Mojave. Enjoy!