When operating at the higher speeds, being maneuverable and agile is likely a greater advantage than being stealthy—making canards a vital, if imperfect, feature.

Rutan introduced the plans for the VariEze [pronounced “very easy”] canard aircraft in 1976; by 1985, he had sold more than 12,000 plan sets for the VariEze and its big brother the Long-EZ.