On June 30, 1978—47 years ago today—the Rutan Defiant took to the skies for the first time. Designed by legendary aircraft innovator Burt Rutan, the Defiant was conceived as a four-seat, twin-engine homebuilt aircraft unlike anything else of its era. True to Rutan’s signature style, the Defiant featured a canard layout and an unconventional push-pull engine configuration, with one engine mounted in the nose and the other in the rear.
The prototype, registered as N78RA, was developed by the Rutan Aircraft Factory to serve as a proof-of-concept for a safer light twin design. The aim was to eliminate the dramatic control challenges typically associated with single-engine failure in conventional twins. Thanks to its unique layout, the Defiant could maintain stable flight with minimal trim change and required no immediate pilot input in the event of an engine loss. In single-engine testing, the Defiant even outperformed the Gulfstream Cougar by climbing 110 feet per minute faster in clean configuration. In 1979, Rutan announced intentions to certify the design, but securing funding proved difficult. Instead, the aircraft was adapted into a homebuilt version known as the Model 74. The first kit-built Defiant, completed by Fred Keller, made its public debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 1983. Plans for the Model 74 went on sale in 1984, and by 1985, 176 sets had been sold. However, sales ceased the following year. As of 2005, 19 Defiants were listed on the FAA registry.
Powered by two Lycoming O-320 engines (160 horsepower each), the Defiant delivers a total of 320 horsepower. It boasts a top speed of 216 mph, cruises comfortably at 192 mph, and offers a range of 980 nautical miles. With both engines operating, it can climb at 1,600 feet per minute and reach a service ceiling of 18,000 feet. The aircraft accommodates one pilot and up to three passengers. Today, the original prototype N78RA is preserved and on display at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, California. The Rutan Defiant stands as a testament to Burt Rutan’s boundary-pushing vision and commitment to innovative, safer aircraft design. While only a handful of Defiants remain active, their continued presence in the air honors a bold chapter in experimental aviation history.
