doug@terak.UUCP (Doug Pardee) (09/09/85)
The current issue of Aviation Consumer magazine reports that as of July
13, the Rutan Aircraft Factory no longer sells any plans for homebuilts,
and no future homebuilt designs will be developed.
This announcement followed on the heels of the announcement that Burt
Rutan's other commercial operation, Scaled Composites, was being sold
to Beech.
Although no direct quotes from Burt Rutan were given, Aviation Consumer
indicated that Burt Rutan no longer finds the homebuilt market to be
financially rewarding nor intellectually intriguing. Sales of Long-Eze
plans have plummeted 80% from last year's rate, and plans for the other
Rutan homebuilts (notably the Defiant twin) have always sold poorly.
Recent designs from Burt Rutan include the "round-the-world" Voyager,
the twin-turboprop Beech Starship, and a twin-jet military trainer.
Aviation Consumer says, "apparently Burt Rutan just lost interest [in
the homebuilt market]. And who can blame him? After [working on those
recent projects], it would be hard to get excited about a new two-seat
puddle jumper... the fact is that Burt Rutan has outgrown homebuilding."
The Rutan Aircraft Factory is now concentrating on supporting the people
who have already bought plans, and will continue to sell "trinkets like
tie-tacs and patches".
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Doug Pardee -- CalComp -- {calcom1,savax,seismo,decvax,ihnp4}!terak!doug