By the 1980s, all the records and milestones in aviation had been achieved. We had been to space, broken the sound barrier, and crossed the largest oceans. But one milestone remained, circumnavigating the globe on a single tank of fuel. Enter Vietnam fighter pilot Dick Rutan, his brother Burt, and his then-girlfriend Jeana Yeager. On the back of a cocktail napkin, they drew the first plans of the aircraft that would achieve the last aviation milestone in 9 days, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds.

Join us for Ben’s return to the show as we hear the wild story of Dick’s life during the Vietnam war, the adventures of his circumnavigation, and the legacy of his achievement. And, of course, rank it on our journey to find the wildest story from the world of sport.

Sources:

https://makingmaps.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/makingmapsannotatedvoyagermaps.pdf

https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/rutan-voyager/nasm_A19880548000

https://freshairarchive.org/guests/dick-rutan

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/americas-forgotten-heroes/id1553324105

Presenters:

James Whybrow

Ben Whybrow

Carlin Sheaves

Music and cover art:

Zoe Behrendt