Time Period: Post-WW2
Country of Origin: United States
Type: Prototypes and Experimental
Manufacturer: Rutan Aircraft Factory
Rutan Boomerang Aircraft Overview
At first glance, the Rutan Boomerang looks like it was designed by mistake—like someone took two completely different planes and glued them together slightly off-center. But that’s no accident. This radically asymmetrical aircraft was designed with intention, precision, and some serious aviation genius behind it.
The Rutan Boomerang is a one-of-a-kind twin-engine light aircraft designed by the legendary aerospace engineer Burt Rutan, famous for his out-of-the-box aircraft concepts (like SpaceShipOne and the Voyager). Built in the 1990s, the Boomerang’s most striking feature is its asymmetrical layout—the fuselage, engines, and tail are all offset and unbalanced… at least visually.
While most aircraft strive for symmetry, the Boomerang intentionally avoids it to solve a problem that has plagued twin-engine planes for decades: the danger of losing an engine mid-flight.
Why Asymmetry?
In a traditional twin-engine aircraft, if one engine fails, the imbalance of thrust causes the plane to yaw dangerously. Pilots must react quickly to maintain control, and in some cases, a failed engine can be catastrophic.
The Boomerang’s asymmetrical design cleverly addresses this. With the engines placed unevenly and the fuselage offset, the aircraft remains stable and controllable even if one engine goes out. It’s counterintuitive, but it works—Rutan’s design ensures that thrust asymmetry is already “built in” and balanced by the overall layout.
How Does the Butan Boomerang Fly?
According to pilots and testers, the Boomerang flies smoothly, efficiently, and safely, despite its weird looks. In fact, it’s one of the safest twin-engine designs ever built in terms of handling an engine-out scenario. It also delivers good performance, thanks to its lightweight composite construction and aerodynamic cleverness.
Rutan Boomerang Specifications
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Passenger Capacity: Up to 4 passengers
- Length: Approx. 28 feet (8.5 meters)
- Wingspan: Around 39 feet (11.9 meters)
- Engines: 2 × Lycoming TIO-360 (turbocharged flat-4 engines), around 200 hp each
- First Flight: 1996
Rutan Boomerang Performance
- Top Speed: Up to 311 mph (530 km/h or 270 knots)
- Cruising Speed: Approximately 250 mph (402 km/h or 220 knots) at 15,500 feet, using 47% engine power for optimal range
- Stall Speed: Around 80 mph (130 km/h or 70 knots)
- Maximum Range: Up to 2,362 miles (3,801 km or 2,053 nautical miles); can extend to 2,960 miles at 37% power
- Climb Rate: Around 1,900 feet per minute (9.65 meters per second)
