The Rutan Defiant is a four seat home-built canard aircraft. Discover Rutan Defiant aircraft for sale worldwide on AvPay. Browse active Rutan Defiant listings and find available aircraft across the USA, North America, UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America. Connect directly with aircraft brokers, private sellers, flying clubs, flight schools and manufacturers. Explore the full inventory of aircraft for sale on AvPay here!
Finding a Rutan Defiant for Sale on AvPay
AvPay offers a global marketplace for the Rutan Defiant, connecting buyers and sellers across the USA, North America, UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and beyond. This rare push pull canard twin appeals to builders and owners who want centerline thrust safety with real touring capability.
Refine your Rutan Defiant search on AvPay with our easy-to-use filters. Quickly find your perfect aircraft by condition, year, total time, location, price, and seller.
As a leading aviation marketplace, AvPay features a diverse range of aircraft for sale, including the distinctive Rutan Defiant. Explore our full Scaled Composites selection here, or browse all aircraft from various manufacturers here.
Found your ideal Rutan Defiant? Connect directly with sellers on AvPay via WhatsApp, private message or phone to discuss build quality, documentation and operating details for any Rutan Defiant Aircraft For Sale listing.
Interesting facts about the Rutan Defiant
✈ Burt Rutan designed the Defiant as a centerline thrust twin so pilots avoid the yaw and asymmetric handling that follow many wing engine failures.
✈ The Defiant uses a push pull layout with one engine in the nose and one engine at the rear, both on the aircraft centerline.
✈ The prototype Model 40 first flew on 30 June 1978 and later entered the Hiller Aviation Museum collection.
✈ Builders construct most Defiants with foam core and fiberglass composite methods associated with the Rutan canard family.
✈ The design uses a canard foreplane for pitch control, plus a swept main wing with winglets that support yaw stability.
✈ Many Defiants fly with fixed pitch non feathering propellers, which keeps systems simple but changes engine out planning.
✈ The aircraft uses a ventral rudder located beneath the cabin, a feature that can surprise pilots during the first few landings.
✈ Owners often modernise panels with contemporary EFIS upgrades, so avionics fit varies widely between listings.
Model Variants for buyers to consider when purchasing a Rutan Defiant
Most buyers will encounter two recognised Defiant designations, the original Rutan Model 40 prototype and the later Model 74 that supported homebuilt construction through plans and builder driven refinements. The Model 40 matters mainly for historical context, while the Model 74 matters for ownership because it reflects how most aircraft were actually built and maintained. When you compare listings, focus less on the label and more on documented build quality, engine installation details and evidence of thorough test flying after major changes.
FAQs About the Rutan Defiant
Is the Rutan Defiant a certified aircraft or an experimental homebuilt?
The Rutan Defiant is primarily an experimental homebuilt aircraft. Builders created most examples from plans, so the aircraft’s paperwork and inspection history matter as much as its logbook hours.
What makes the Rutan Defiant different from typical light twins?
The Defiant places both engines on the centerline in a push pull arrangement. This layout reduces asymmetric thrust, simplifies engine out handling and supports the design goal of safer multiengine operation.
What engines do most Rutan Defiant aircraft use?
Many Defiants use two Lycoming O-320 engines, although individual builds may differ. Buyers should confirm the exact engine models, propeller types and overhaul status in the listing and logs.
What should I inspect closely on a Rutan Defiant before buying?
Inspect composite structure quality, control system rigging and the condition of high load attach points. Review cooling and airflow management for both engines and confirm that the aircraft demonstrates stable temperatures in climb and cruise.
How hard is it to find parts and support for the Rutan Defiant?
Support often comes from the canard builder community and from common engine and accessories suppliers. Expect more owner involvement than with certified types, especially when you source unique airframe components or builder specific modifications.
Get help buying a Rutan Defiant
Can’t find the Rutan Defiant aircraft you’re looking for? Get in touch with an Aircraft Broker to help you buy an aircraft via the Aircraft Broker Directory. Alternatively you can browse Aircraft Brokerage and Aircraft Acquisition Services through the aviation marketplace to help you with the purchase of a Rutan Defiant airplane.
Sell your Rutan Defiant on AvPay
Do you have a Rutan Defiant Aircraft for Sale? Get your airplane listed on AvPay and get in front of buyers searching for a Rutan Defiant plane around the world. AvPay is a Zero Workload Website so you’ll never have to make your own updates and each aircraft listing will be featured on our Social Media Pages, giving you extra visibility in front of our 190,000+ followers. With AvPay you won’t just generate enquiries on your Aircraft Listings. You’ll also generate enquiries through your Aircraft Broker Profile and through each of the Service Listings you include on our Aviation Marketplace Pages. Let AvPay promote your Rutan Defiant aircraft for sale.
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Find Finance for buying a Rutan Defiant
Finance for a Rutan Defiant often depends on build documentation and the quality of the airworthiness record. Lenders usually want clear evidence of inspections, condition reports and a stable maintenance plan for two engines. Provide engine logbooks, propeller details and recent compression data to speed up underwriting. A specialist aviation finance broker can help you structure terms that reflect experimental aircraft realities and the costs of twin engine ownership.
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Find Insurance for a Rutan Defiant
Insurance for a Rutan Defiant typically hinges on pilot experience in experimental aircraft and multiengine operations. Underwriters may ask for transition training plans and a record of recent flight time in similar canard types. Provide a detailed equipment list, hull value rationale and evidence of secure storage to support better terms. An aviation insurance broker can match you with markets that understand homebuilt aircraft and the specific risk profile of a centerline thrust twin.
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