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Rutan VariViggen
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The Rutan VariViggen is a homebuilt aircraft designed by Burt Rutan. The aircraft is a tandem two-seater of primarily wooden construction with a delta wing and a canard foreplane. The VariViggen is powered by a 150 hp Lycoming O-320 aero engine in pusher configuration. The prototype was designated Model 27, and the production version was Model 32.
Key Information
Design and development
[edit]The VariViggen was named after the Swedish fighter plane, the Saab 37 Viggen. This and the XB-70 Valkyrie inspired the design. Rutan became interested in aircraft which resisted stalls and spins, and the VariViggen was his first full scale design. He began working with the design as a student at Cal Poly in the early 1960s, and started building the prototype in his garage in 1968. After four years of work, the aircraft made its first flight in April, 1972. In order to increase efficiency, the Model 32 (also known as the VariViggen SP) had a slightly longer fuselage, a larger wingspan and winglets.
The Rutan Aircraft Factory sold 600 plan sets for the VariViggen to homebuilders, and eventually about 20 of the aircraft were built. Following the crash of one in New Brunswick, Canada in September 2006 due to wing tank fuel contamination,[1] fewer than five are currently still flying. The prototype aircraft, N27VV, can be seen in the 1975 movie Death Race 2000 and was eventually donated to the EAA AirVenture Museum in 1988.
Rutan also began work on an all-aluminum variant, the MiniViggen, but later abandoned the project and focused his efforts on the VariEze.
VariViggen Model 27 Specifications (Standard Wing)
[edit]Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976–77[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Length: 19 ft 0 in (5.79 m)
- Wingspan: 19 ft 0 in (5.79 m)
- Wing area: 119 sq ft (11.1 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 3.03
- Empty weight: 950 lb (431 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,700 lb (771 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 30 US gal (25 imp gal; 110 L) (Note: 5 US Gal Reserve).
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-320-A2A air-cooled flat-four, 150 hp (110 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed Hegy wooden fixed-pitch, 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) diameter
Performance
- Maximum speed: 163 mph (262 km/h, 142 kn)
- Cruise speed: 150 mph (240 km/h, 130 kn) 125mph (econ cruise at 7,000 ft (2,100 m))
- Never exceed speed: 180 mph (290 km/h, 160 kn)
- Range: 300–440 mi (480–710 km, 260–380 nmi) (max fuel, 30 minutes reserve).
- Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,300 m)
- Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
- Take-off run to 50 ft (15 m): 950 ft (290 m)
- Landing run from 50 ft (15 m): 600 ft (180 m)
References
[edit]- ^ Aviation Investigation Report A06A0092, Transportation Safety Board of Canada, September 17, 2006
- ^ Taylor 1976, p. 530
- Ord-Hume, Arthur (May 1974). "VariViggen". Aeroplane Monthly. Vol. 2, no. 5. pp. 650–653.
- Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1976). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976–1977. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-354-00538-3.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rutan VariViggen.
- NZ website on the VariViggen
- Sun 'n Fun Air Museum Archived 2007-10-12 at the Wayback Machine
- AirVenture Museum
- Museum of Flight VariViggen website
- Aerofiles VariViggen information
- Stargazer Website on VariViggen (models 27 & 32 information)
- Stargazer Website on Twin Turbojet powered VariViggen
- Stargazer Website on all metal VariViggen variant
- VariViggen History (Link Fixed 031921)[permanent dead link]
Rutan VariViggen
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Development
Design origins and influences
Burt Rutan, then a 20-year-old aeronautical engineering student at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, began conceptualizing the VariViggen in 1963 after becoming fascinated with advanced aircraft configurations. His initial inspiration drew from the North American XB-70 Valkyrie bomber's canard foreplane and pusher-propeller layout, as well as the Saab 37 Viggen fighter's delta wing and canard elements, which he encountered through aviation publications and images. These military designs sparked Rutan's interest in adapting similar features for a civilian homebuilt aircraft, aiming to combine high performance with inherent safety traits like stall resistance.[7][1] During his student years at Cal Poly from 1964 to 1965, Rutan advanced the project through preliminary sketches and wind-tunnel testing of scale models to validate the canard configuration's aerodynamics. His experiments focused on achieving "natural stall avoidance," prioritizing a design that would prevent dangerous spins common in conventional light aircraft. The core objectives emphasized creating a safe, high-performance two-seat homebuilt plane with exceptional stability at low speeds and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities, facilitated by a large wing area and docile handling characteristics. These efforts laid the groundwork for a tandem-seating arrangement and pusher propulsion to enhance visibility and efficiency.[8][9][10] By 1968, after graduating in 1965 and gaining practical experience, Rutan committed to developing a full-scale wooden prototype of the VariViggen, marking the transition from academic exploration to practical fabrication in his Lancaster, California garage. The shift solidified the VariViggen's focus on composite-friendly wooden construction and broader accessibility for amateur builders, setting it apart from metal-intensive designs.[8][11][12]Prototype construction and testing
Burt Rutan initiated construction of the VariViggen prototype, designated Model 27 and registered as N27VV, in his garage in Lancaster, California, in 1968, following earlier wind tunnel testing of scale models at California Polytechnic State University in 1964.[12] The build employed a mix of birch plywood for formers, ribs, and skin, spruce for spars and longerons, fiberglass elements, and aluminum components, with the structure covered in Ceconite fabric finished with dope and polyurethane.[2] This hands-on effort, reflecting Rutan's transition from aerospace engineering roles at Edwards Air Force Base to independent design, spanned nearly four years and culminated in completion in early 1972.[12][2] The prototype achieved its first flight in May 1972 in Newton, Kansas, marking Rutan's debut as a homebuilt aircraft designer with a canard-pusher configuration inspired by the Saab 37 Viggen fighter jet.[2][12] Initial testing incorporated prior validation from radio-controlled models flown in October 1971 and car-towed scale models to assess low-speed handling and stability.[1] Rutan then dedicated nine weeks to flight trials, accumulating 75 hours to evaluate engine performance, stability, and control responses, including taxi tests and progressive envelope expansion that confirmed the aircraft's safe low-speed characteristics despite its unconventional delta-wing layout.[2] By mid-1972, the VariViggen had demonstrated sufficient reliability for Rutan to fly it to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where it earned the Stan Dzik Design Contribution Trophy for its innovative approach to homebuilt aviation.[12] Testing continued into 1973, incorporating ground vibration assessments and semi-aerobatic demonstrations at airshows to refine pitch control via the canard and address integration issues with the rear-mounted 150-hp Lycoming O-320 pusher propeller, which complicated early low-speed hops due to propeller wash effects on the control surfaces.[1] These phases highlighted challenges in the aircraft's complex control systems and material combinations, yet validated its structural integrity and handling for subsequent production planning.[12] In 1974, the prototype secured the EAA Outstanding New Design Trophy at Oshkosh, underscoring its impact on experimental aviation.[1]Plans distribution and production
In 1974, Burt Rutan founded the Rutan Aircraft Factory (RAF) in Mojave, California, to develop and sell plans for his innovative homebuilt aircraft designs.[13] The VariViggen became RAF's inaugural offering, with plans made available starting that year at a price of $27 per set to promote builder creativity and customization.[1] By 1977, approximately 600 sets had been sold worldwide, marking an early success in the experimental aviation market.[1] Unlike later kit-based designs, the VariViggen involved no factory-produced components from RAF; all roughly 20 completed examples were individually homebuilt from the plans alone, relying on standard materials and builder ingenuity for a kitless process.[3] To assist these builders, RAF supplied comprehensive construction manuals with step-by-step guidance and photographs, along with the periodic Canard Pusher newsletter that delivered technical updates, errata, and community insights.[9] Builder support also included on-site visits and responses to inquiries, fostering a collaborative network among early adopters. After the VariEze prototype's first flight in 1975, RAF redirected resources toward that more efficient canard design, gradually tapering VariViggen-specific support by the late 1970s while still honoring existing commitments.[9] The VariViggen's accessible build process and relatively low cost contributed to its cultural significance, helping introduce and normalize canard layouts within the homebuilt aviation community.[13]Design
Aerodynamic configuration
The Rutan VariViggen employs a tandem two-seat configuration featuring a forward canard foreplane, a rear delta main wing, and a pusher propeller mounted behind the wing.[14][4] This layout draws inspiration from the Saab 37 Viggen fighter, adapting its canard-delta arrangement for homebuilt civilian use to achieve enhanced low-speed stability and short-field capabilities.[15][2] The canard foreplane plays a critical role in providing primary pitch control and generating lift, which unloads the main wing and prevents it from stalling by inducing an earlier stall on the canard itself if the angle of attack becomes excessive.[16][15] Its swept-back design improves aerodynamic efficiency by reducing drag and optimizing airflow over the foreplane during cruise and low-speed flight.[15] This configuration contributes to the aircraft's overall stall- and spin-resistant characteristics, as the canard maintains positive lift and control authority even at high angles of attack.[14][4] The rear delta main wing incorporates a delta planform with a span of 19 feet and a surface area of 123 square feet, providing substantial lift for low-speed operations.[14][1] The wing's relatively low aspect ratio supports docile handling at low speeds and enables short takeoff and landing performance suitable for grass strips or unprepared fields.[15][2] Wingtip vertical fins provide yaw control.[14][4] Flight controls emphasize simplicity and safety, utilizing movable canard surfaces functioning as elevons for combined pitch and roll authority in the prototype design, while production plans incorporate full-span flaperons along the main wing's trailing edge for roll and lift augmentation without separate ailerons.[15][16] Rudders integrated into the wingtip vertical fins provide yaw control via differential rudder pedal inputs, supporting the aircraft's relaxed longitudinal stability for responsive handling while maintaining inherent stall resistance.[15][14] This integrated system, tested through scale model wind tunnel simulations, prioritizes forgiving flight dynamics over conventional tailplane arrangements.[15]Structure and materials
The Rutan VariViggen employs a primarily wooden airframe to facilitate home construction by amateur builders, drawing on traditional aviation materials for simplicity and cost-effectiveness. The primary structural elements include Sitka spruce for the spars and longerons, providing high strength-to-weight ratio, while birch plywood forms the ribs, formers, and initial skins.[7][2] Fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin cover the plywood skins on the wings and fuselage, creating durable, lightweight outer surfaces, with additional fiberglass used for fairings and the engine cowling to enhance aerodynamics. Aluminum components, including fittings, brackets, and the engine mount, add precision and load-bearing capacity where metal is essential.[17][4] Construction techniques emphasize ease of assembly, utilizing model aircraft-inspired methods such as epoxy glue and staples to join wooden components, along with basic jigging for alignment. The fuselage adopts a semi-monocoque stressed-skin design, where the plywood and fiberglass shell shares loads with internal longerons, simplifying fabrication without complex molds. Wings feature a conventional wooden framework with flat-bottomed panels for straightforward building and attachment, covered in fiberglass for a smooth finish; the prototype used Ceconite fabric doped with polyurethane, but plans support fiberglass as a modern alternative. Total build time for homebuilders is estimated at around 1,700 hours, reflecting the design's focus on accessible woodworking skills.[2][17][18] Key structural features include a tapered rear fuselage, which ensures adequate clearance for the pusher propeller while maintaining a compact profile. The wing panels are detachable, allowing disassembly for trailer transport and storage in standard garages, a practical consideration for homebuilders. The canard foreplane integrates seamlessly with the wooden framework, using similar spruce and plywood construction for consistency.[2][17] Maintenance benefits from the fiberglass elements' inherent resistance to corrosion and weathering, reducing long-term upkeep compared to all-metal designs. However, the wooden components necessitate regular inspections for moisture ingress, rot, or structural fatigue, typically every 100 hours or annually, in line with experimental aircraft standards.[2][4]Variants
Model 27
The Model 27 VariViggen served as the designation for the original prototype, registered as N27VV, which Burt Rutan constructed in his garage from 1968 to 1972 and first flew in May 1972.[2][1] This aircraft established the baseline configuration for the VariViggen series, acting as the primary template for homebuilt examples due to its straightforward plans designed for amateur constructors.[1] Key features of the Model 27 included a 150 hp Lycoming O-320 pusher engine mounted in the rear fuselage, a standard wingspan of 19 feet without winglets, tandem seating for two occupants, and a fuel capacity of 25 gallons.[14][1][19] The design utilized a wooden structure with fiberglass elements, emphasizing ease of construction with plywood, spruce spars, and Ceconite covering to suit homebuilders.[20] Unlike its military influences, such as the delta-winged Saab 37 Viggen and the North American XB-70 Valkyrie, the Model 27 represented a scaled-down civilian adaptation with a canard foreplane and pusher propeller, prioritizing stall resistance and short-field performance over supersonic capabilities while optimizing for low-cost amateur assembly.[1] The majority of the approximately 20 completed VariViggen aircraft were based on this Model 27 configuration, reflecting its role as the foundational variant before later refinements.[3]Model 32 VariViggen SP
The Model 32 VariViggen SP served as the refined production variant of the baseline Model 27 VariViggen, incorporating a longer fuselage of approximately 20 feet, an increased wingspan of 23 feet 8 inches with integrated winglets, and a streamlined engine cowling for improved aerodynamics.[4][20] These updates were introduced in 1975 to enhance overall efficiency and address shortcomings observed in early flight testing.[12] Key improvements focused on better fuel efficiency and reduced induced drag via the larger wingspan and winglets, which also contributed to higher cruise speeds compared to the original design.[9][20] The aircraft retained the standard 150 hp Lycoming O-320 pusher engine but offered an optional fuel-injected IO-320 variant for similar power output with potentially smoother operation.[20] The design changes specifically targeted prototype limitations, including inadequate propeller clearance—mitigated by the extended fuselage—and reduced stability at higher gross weights, achieved through the broader wing configuration.[9][20] Fewer Model 32 VariViggen SP aircraft were built than the initial Model 27 versions, with approximately 20 total VariViggen completions across both; surviving examples are preserved at institutions such as the Pima Air & Space Museum.[4][20]Operational history
Civilian service and preservation
The Rutan VariViggen primarily served in the experimental aircraft category for recreational flights and pilot training among private owners and aviation enthusiasts.[20] The Rutan Aircraft Factory sold over 600 sets of plans, leading to approximately 20-25 completed aircraft by homebuilders.[20][2] These homebuilts emphasized innovative canard configurations, allowing owners to explore advanced aerodynamics in non-commercial operations.[2] Notable civilian applications included media appearances, such as the prototype N27VV's role in the 1975 film Death Race 2000, where Burt Rutan personally piloted chase and bombing scenes.[21] The aircraft also featured prominently at aviation events, including a 2022 restoration flight demonstration at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh by the Rutan Aircraft Flying Experience (RAFE), showcasing a rebuilt example named Lady Vi (N713HV) that first returned to flight in June 2022.[5] These displays highlighted the VariViggen's enduring appeal for airshows and educational demonstrations within the experimental aviation sector.[22] Preservation efforts have focused on maintaining surviving examples, with fewer than five airworthy VariViggens as of 2024, including recent restorations like Lady Vi, which returned to flight again in June 2024 following an engine incident en route to AirVenture Oshkosh in 2023.[23][5] The prototype N27VV resides in the EAA AirVenture Museum's collection, donated by Rutan in 1988 for public display in the Aviation Innovations Gallery.[2] Another Model 27 (N27MS), built by test pilots Mike and Sally Melvill, is preserved at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, donated in 1987.[14] A Model 32 VariViggen SP (N31WW), upgraded for research and logging over 1,100 hours, was donated to the Pima Air & Space Museum in 2020.[4] The VariViggen's legacy extends to influencing subsequent Rutan designs, notably the VariEze, which evolved its canard and composite elements into a more efficient homebuilt platform.[24] It earned recognition for innovation through the EAA Outstanding New Design award in 1974, underscoring its role in advancing experimental aviation.[9]Accidents and incidents
The Rutan VariViggen has recorded nine accidents and incidents, including five fatal ones, from over 600 plan sets sold and approximately 20-25 aircraft completed.[25] These often involved loss of control linked to the aircraft's canard configuration and pusher propeller characteristics.[20] On July 6, 1979, N101JE crashed near Columbus, Ohio, resulting in one fatality.[25] On June 16, 2002, the amateur-built VariViggen N915D, powered by a Jacobs engine, suffered a partial loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff from University of Illinois-Willard Airport in Urbana, Illinois, leading to loss of control and collision with terrain, which destroyed the aircraft and fatally injured the commercial pilot. The NTSB investigation identified the probable cause as the partial engine power loss combined with the pilot's inadequate control response during the climb.[26] A fatal stall occurred on July 26, 1995, involving N93VV during maneuvering near a private airstrip in Abingdon, Virginia; the experimental homebuilt aircraft collided with the ground, killing the pilot who had accumulated only 4.5 hours of flight time in the type despite 1,369 total hours. The NTSB report cited the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in the stall, with a contributing factor being the pilot's limited experience in make and model aircraft.[27] In New Zealand, the VariViggen ZK-FQN crashed on August 28, 1998, near Rotorua, destroying the aircraft and fatally injuring both occupants during a private flight. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) investigation concluded that the accident involved loss of control, exacerbated by unapproved modifications to the aircraft that had not undergone required airworthiness reviews, though the exact sequence could not be fully determined due to the impact forces.[28] Two accidents occurred in 1991: On September 29, N22VV sustained substantial damage after an in-flight separation of the propeller during cruise flight over Michigan, attributed to improper maintenance installation of the propeller by the builder-pilot. The NTSB found no pre-existing mechanical issues with the airframe or Lycoming O-320 engine but emphasized maintenance errors as the cause, with no injuries reported.[29] On November 13, N12VV was destroyed when it entered an uncontrolled dive and impacted terrain near Erie County Airport in Erie, Pennsylvania, during a turn from base to final approach, fatally injuring the pilot; witnesses observed oscillations in pitch and roll prior to the dive, and the NTSB investigation noted the pilot's possible distraction or spatial disorientation but could not conclusively determine the initiating factor beyond loss of control.[30] On September 17, 2006, N106VV crashed approximately 9 nautical miles east of Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, Canada, resulting in one fatality.[25] Other non-fatal incidents include gear-up landing in Reno, Nevada (N586MS, May 28, 1986); runway excursion in Väsby gård, Sweden (SE-XFV, August 14, 1988); and loss of control on landing in Falcon, Colorado (N34VV, May 7, 1989).[25] NTSB and CAA reports across these incidents consistently highlight patterns such as inadequate airspeed management during critical phases and the need for specialized training on the VariViggen's canard handling, where the foreplane's pitch authority demands precise control inputs to avoid stalls or departures.[27][26][28] The last recorded major accident was in 2006, with no further incidents reported through 2025, coinciding with greater emphasis on type-specific pilot education among remaining operators.[25]Specifications
General characteristics (Model 27)
The Model 27 VariViggen is a two-seat homebuilt aircraft featuring a delta wing layout in a canard configuration. Its general characteristics include the following baseline physical and capacity attributes. Dimensions- Length: 16 ft 10 in (5.13 m)[2]
- Wingspan: 19 ft (5.8 m)[1]
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
- Wing area: 123 sq ft (11.4 m²)[1]
- Aspect ratio: 2.94[1]
- Empty weight: 1,020 lb (463 kg)[1]
- Maximum takeoff weight: 1,700 lb (772 kg)[1]
- Useful load: 680 lb (308 kg)[1]
- Crew: 1[14]
- Passengers: 1 (tandem seating)[14]
- Fuel capacity: 25 US gal (95 L)[19]
- Baggage capacity: 100 lb (45 kg)[31]
- Engine: 150 hp (112 kW) Lycoming O-320-A2A flat-four piston engine in pusher configuration[1]
- Propeller: Two-blade fixed-pitch[19]