Quote Originally Posted by flyingriki View Post
Rutan was a lot more talented, as history has proven. And he provided value, plans for flight tested and time proven designs, for the money he received to fund his research.
What makes you think he asked for donations?
They did for special projects like Voyager but that was from vendors who saw the value of being associated with the project.
http://www.centennialofflight.gov/es...rutan/EX32.htm
"..With the help of an eager group of volunteers, they began building the Voyager the next year. Notably, the entire project relied solely on private funds and donations. "

http://www.eaa.org/news/2011/2011-12-22_voyager.asp
"Doug Shane:
“It was a grassroots effort without corporate sponsorship. There were a lot experts and a lot of great, hard-working people from all over the country that put in their own time to make it happen. It inspired people to make those sacrifices. That to me was the greatest part of the accomplishment.”

"Jack Textor · Des Moines, IowaWhat an accomplishment! With a small donation, my name flew around the world with them in their logbook. I will never forget the arrival and landing!.."

If you were at the invitation-only 25 year anniversary presentation at the EAA Museum last July-August you would have heard the Rutans and John Roncz talk about this at length. They came to OSH in a barely flyable airplane and asked for small donations to complete the project.