Dick Rutan

Legendary Flight of the Voyager Pilot

Dick Rutan made history in December of 1986 after completing Voyager’s nine day, three minute and forty-four second around the world, non-stop and non-refueled flight, setting world records that remain unchallenged today.

In July of 2002, Dick Rutan was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio. As a youth, Dick was fascinated by airplanes and flying, and made his first flight at age six. Dick received his solo pilot’s license and driver’s license on his 16th birthday; the first possible moment he could be pilot in command. Retired from the United States Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel, he flew 325 missions in Vietnam, 105 of them as a member of the Super Sabre FAC, a high-risk operation commonly known as the “MISTY’s.” He was hit by enemy ground fire on his last mission and was forced to eject from his burning F-100, to be rescued later.

Before retiring from the Air Force in 1978, Lt. Col. Rutan was awarded the Silver Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals and a Purple Heart.