Rutan Aircraft Factory VariEze (Model 31)

The VariEze is the smaller, earlier Rutan canard, with plans sold from 1976 to the mid-1980s and a design engine of a 100 hp Continental O-200. It is very light — about 580 lb empty, 1,050 lb gross — and on the O-200 cruises economically at about 143 knots for roughly 740 nm on 24 gallons, climbing at 1,600 fpm.

The figures are a reference and nothing more: published figures for the type range from 570 to 585 lb empty and 700 to 850 statute miles, the prototype flew on a Volkswagen conversion and some were built that way, which perform differently again, and one magazine's test aircraft weighed 670 lb empty. Each aircraft was built by one person from plans, between 40 and 50 years ago, in foam and fibreglass whose condition now depends on paint, hangarage and inspection history, and the builder's workmanship, the engine actually fitted and the weight-and-balance are the whole story. The 470 lb useful load means two people and full fuel is at the limit. Canard handling needs instruction: approaches around 85 knots, a belly airbrake instead of flaps, a nose leg that is retracted to park the aircraft on its nose, an awkward narrow cockpit, sensitive pitch with heavy ailerons, and a pitch-trim change in rain from the original canard section. Plans sales ended in the mid-1980s and the Rutan Aircraft Factory has since closed, so parts are owner-made and knowledge comes from the type's owner community. Maintenance may be done by the owner, with an A&P, not an IA, signing the annual condition inspection.

Variants of the Rutan VariEze

• VariEze (Model 31) · 1976 · 196 active · this page

Also consider

• Aviat Aircraft Pitts S-2A
  Partial 9.7/30 · 2 seats · 130 kt
• Sonex / Sonex-B
  Score 27.1/50 · 2 seats · 130 kt
• Christen Industries Eagle II
  Score 21.3/50 · 2 seats · 143 kt

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