[VSKYLABS Newsletter] issued 22th January 2026
A Tribute to a Long-Range Legend
Hello VSKYLABS Test-Pilots!
Soon, VSKYLABS will introduce a MAJOR UPDATE RELEASE and EVOLUTION of the 'Test-Pilot': LongEZ Project: The v5.0 'ER' (Extended Range) Variant, which will be added as a secondary aircraft in the product.
This update is a tribute to one of the most famous homebuilt aircraft in history: Dick Rutan’s personally-built Long-EZ, 'Old Blue' (N169SH).
In 1997, Dick Rutan in his 'Old Blue', teamed his friend Mike Melvill in his Long-EZ (N26MS) and flew over 30,000 nautical miles east on the Spirit of EAA Friendship World Tour, often flying legs of over 14 hours.
The upcoming 'ER' variant in v5.0 was engineered to capture the specific mission-profile of the legendary N169SH aircraft, focusing on the aircraft configuration which was required for true global endurance.
To support maximum endurance missions, the 'ER' variant features a high-capacity fuel infrastructure comprising additional aerodynamic wing-mounted slipper tanks, and a removable internal ferry bladder-tank located in the rear seat compartment. This multi-source system is incorporated into the Long-EZ fuel system with dedicated and detailed transfer pump logic, allowing the pilot to manage fuel weight and CG while significantly extending the aircraft's range for transcontinental operations.
The v5.0 'ER' variant pushes the Long-EZ into a new weight class, featuring a total fuel capacity of 139 gallons (approx. 834 lbs). This includes 52 gallons in the strakes, 38 gallons in the aerodynamic slipper tanks, and a 49-gallon internal ferry bladder. With a modified Max Gross Weight of 2,000 lbs, this setup is designed for the extreme endurance required to replicate 'Old Blue's' record-breaking mission profiles.
During the 1997 Spirit of EAA Friendship World Tour, Dick Rutan and Mike Melvill exceeded high altitude flying, up to 21,000 feet. Flying at 15,000 - 17,500 feet was often required for catching tail-winds, avoiding lower-level tropical turbulence, crossing demanding terrain and weather conditions.
To support operations up to FL170 - FL210, the 'ER' variant features the High-Elevation Respiratory Equipment system. This mission-spec system includes an authentic 680-liter AL-638 cylinder internally integrated into a fully functional, converted A-14 Diluter regulator, optimized for high-altitude endurance, where Oxygen is plausibly supplied via a virtual cannula.
The upcoming VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': Rutan LongEZ v5.0 update is in many aspects a whole new project rendition which falls in line with the latest X-Plane 12 generation and standards. The update covers all project assets, new sounds, almost entirely re-modeled aircraft, enhanced systems and interactions and more.
Detailed showcasing will be provided with the product release.
The v5.0 update/upgrade will be free of charge to all exisitng customers of the VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': LongEZ Project.
Exciting days ahead! Stay tuned!
VSKYLABS