A distinguished combat pilot, aerobatic pilot and aviation record setter, Dick Rutan was born in Loma Linda, California, where he gained an early interest in flight. On his 16th birthday, Rutan earned both his driver's and pilot's licenses. Rutan began a military career at age 19, joining the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program, later receiving an Air Force commission. He served during the Vietnam War with the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing, completing 325 combat missions. He was awarded the Silver Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals, and a Purple Heart. Following military service, Dick formed Rutan Aircraft Factory (now known as Scaled Composites) with his brother Burt Rutan, an advanced development aircraft company. While at Rutan Aircraft, Dick and Burt Rutan conceived the concept of creating an aircraft that could fly nonstop around the world. In early 1981, Rutan founded Voyager Aircraft Inc., and then prepared to undertake the first around the world, non-stop, non-refueled flight. On the morning of December 14, 1986, a fuel-laden Voyager took off on the history-making flight. Rutan and copilot Jeana Yeager struggled throughout the flight with weather, stress, and the continuing demand for fuel, and, further compounding their daunting challenges, they were denied access to airspace above Libya. Finally, after 9 days, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds of flight, they touched down on December 23 on the dry lake bed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, with only a few gallons of fuel remaining. The 24,986-mile (40,211 km) trip easily broke the then-current flight distance record of 12,532 miles. Rutan and Yeager received many awards for their accomplishment. Rutan has set other distance world records in his LongEze, and, in December 2005, in the EZ-Rocket, set a record for the longest distance flown in a ground-launched rocket-powered aircraft. He flew from the Mojave Spaceport to the California City Airport. Touted as the "shortest long distance flight," it is recognized by the National Aeronautics Association.
Inducted in 2011.
Portrait Location: Modern Jet

Induction Video