1 July 1938 - 3 May 2024
LtCol Dick Rutan has passed away, a USAF officer who was an icon in civilian aviation. Beginning his career as a USAF navigator in the McDonnell F-101B Voodoo and Northrop F-89J Scorpion interceptor jets and the Douglas C-124 Globemaster heavy transport.
Being accepted to pilot training in 1966, Rutan graduated from Laughlin AFB and was assigned to the North American F-100D/F Super Sabre in South Vietnam flying both Close Air Support missions as well as Forward Air Control missions, being shot down and rescued once.
Finishing his combat tour with 325 mission, Rutan would continue flying the F-100 for two more years, having to bailout of another one successfully after a malfunction. Transitioning to the LTV A-7D Corsair II, Rutan served in flight test support roles and operational squadron roles at Wright Patterson AFB and Davis-Monthan AFB, retiring as a LtCol in June 1978.
Rutan then undertook his most well known role, serving as test pilot for aeronautical engineer brother Burt Rutan’s aircraft designs, eventually culminating in the non-stop around the world flight of the Voyager aircraft from 14-23 December 1986 setting multiple records on the flight that was just under 25,000 miles. Rutan also test flew the LongEZ and other designs.
Rutan was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2002. Rutan also earned the Bleriot medal twice, the Collier trophy, and the Presidential Citizens medal. Military decorations include the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor device x 5, Air Medal x 16, and the Purple Heart.
Mojave Air and Space port in California is named Rutan Field, after brothers Richard and Burt Rutan.
LtCol Dick Rutan has passed away, a USAF officer who was an icon in civilian aviation. Beginning his career as a USAF navigator in the McDonnell F-101B Voodoo and Northrop F-89J Scorpion interceptor jets and the Douglas C-124 Globemaster heavy transport.
Being accepted to pilot training in 1966, Rutan graduated from Laughlin AFB and was assigned to the North American F-100D/F Super Sabre in South Vietnam flying both Close Air Support missions as well as Forward Air Control missions, being shot down and rescued once.
Finishing his combat tour with 325 mission, Rutan would continue flying the F-100 for two more years, having to bailout of another one successfully after a malfunction. Transitioning to the LTV A-7D Corsair II, Rutan served in flight test support roles and operational squadron roles at Wright Patterson AFB and Davis-Monthan AFB, retiring as a LtCol in June 1978.
Rutan then undertook his most well known role, serving as test pilot for aeronautical engineer brother Burt Rutan’s aircraft designs, eventually culminating in the non-stop around the world flight of the Voyager aircraft from 14-23 December 1986 setting multiple records on the flight that was just under 25,000 miles. Rutan also test flew the LongEZ and other designs.
Rutan was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2002. Rutan also earned the Bleriot medal twice, the Collier trophy, and the Presidential Citizens medal. Military decorations include the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor device x 5, Air Medal x 16, and the Purple Heart.
Mojave Air and Space port in California is named Rutan Field, after brothers Richard and Burt Rutan.
