Burt Rutan’s canard pusher designs offer exceptional range and efficiency that few light aircraft can match — the Long-EZ and its Cozy derivatives are serious cross-country machines worth understanding.

For founding members who want maximum cross-country capability, the Glasair III, Velocity, and Bonanza V-tail represent the upper tier of performance — here’s what each offers and what it demands.

With over 11,000 flying examples and a performance envelope that leaves certified trainers far behind, the Van’s RV-6A and RV-9A are among the most compelling candidates for South Shore Flyers’ first aircraft.