Design Philosophy and Development
The Celerity represented a breakthrough in homebuilt aircraft design philosophy when development began in 1979. Designer Larry Burton, working with Bruce Boylan and Dave Melby, set out to create an aircraft that was simultaneously faster, more spacious, and easier to construct than existing amateur-built designs. Burton's innovative approach included personally sawing lumber from a salvaged Port Orford cedar tree for the prototype, demonstrating his commitment to practical, cost-effective construction methods.
The design emphasized simplified manufacturing techniques that reduced complexity for amateur builders. Burton's engineering reduced the number of individual pieces required for components like wing ribs and minimized welding requirements, making the aircraft more accessible to home constructors with basic workshop skills.
Prototype Success and Recognition
When the prototype took its maiden flight on May 18, 1985, it validated Burton's design concepts immediately. The aircraft's performance and craftsmanship earned recognition at the 1985 EAA Oshkosh Convention, where it won a Best Workmanship Award. Burton himself became the aircraft's most dedicated test pilot, accumulating more than 900 flight hours in the prototype over nearly a decade, thoroughly proving the design's reliability and performance characteristics.
This extensive flight testing program demonstrated the Celerity's capabilities as a serious cross-country aircraft, not merely an experimental curiosity. The prototype's success led to the decision to market the design as construction plans for amateur builders.
Limited Production and Market Impact
Despite its technical merits, the Celerity remained an exclusive aircraft with only four examples ever completed. The first plans-built aircraft, registered N180JG, was constructed by Harold J. Glencross of Tucson, Arizona, and achieved first flight in 1992. This seven-year gap between prototype and first amateur-built example reflected the complexity involved in homebuilt aircraft construction, even with Burton's simplified design approach.
By September 2014, only three Celerity aircraft remained on the Federal Aviation Administration registry, highlighting the aircraft's rarity in the homebuilt community. This limited production reflected both the specialized nature of the design and the tragedy that would befall the company.
The Manufacturer's Evolution
Mirage Aircraft Inc. began operations in Klamath Falls, Oregon, under Burton's leadership. The company's focus on detailed construction plans rather than kit manufacturing set it apart in the homebuilt market. However, Larry Burton's death in 1994 marked a critical transition point for the company and its aircraft designs.
Following Burton's passing, Eldon and Karen Helmer assumed control of the company, relocating operations to Prescott Valley, Arizona, in 1995. The company continued as Mirage Aircraft Corporation, maintaining Burton's vision of providing high-quality homebuilt aircraft plans. Today, aircraft components and materials are supplied through established aviation suppliers including Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. and Wicks Aircraft Supply.
Power Plant Flexibility
The Celerity's design accommodated a range of powerplants in the 140-180 horsepower category, reflecting Burton's practical approach to engine availability and cost. The prototype utilized a 160-horsepower Lycoming IO-320-B1A inline piston engine, while Glencross's plans-built example featured the more powerful 180-horsepower Lycoming IO-360.
Burton's innovative thinking extended to alternative powerplants, particularly automotive engine conversions. He explored the use of Subaru Legacy engines, specifically the 2.2-liter unit producing 170 horsepower. At the time of his death in 1994, Burton was constructing a Celerity powered by the Subaru engine equipped with a Ross 2.17-to-1 propeller speed reduction unit, demonstrating his commitment to cost-effective power solutions.
Legacy and Evolution
The Celerity's influence extended beyond its limited production numbers through the development of the Mirage Marathon. This derivative design incorporated lessons learned from the Celerity program while offering a fixed landing gear configuration, conventional flaps, and a sliding canopy. The Marathon maintained compatibility with the same engine types as the Celerity while providing simplified systems for amateur builders.
David R. Christensen of Brigham City, Utah, completed the first Marathon, registered N683DC, which achieved first flight on June 28, 2011. By January 2014, one Marathon remained on the FAA registry, while the company had sold ten Marathon kits by 1998, indicating modest but sustained interest in Burton's design philosophy.
Technical Legacy
The Celerity's combination of wood and composite construction, retractable landing gear, and side-by-side seating arrangement established a template for efficient homebuilt cross-country aircraft. Its 21-foot 6-inch length and empty weight of 1,169 pounds demonstrated how thoughtful design could achieve significant capability within reasonable size and weight constraints.
The aircraft's gross weight of 1,825 pounds provided substantial useful load for its category, enabling genuine cross-country utility with full fuel and two occupants. Optional wing tip tanks extended range capability, making the Celerity a legitimate alternative to certified aircraft for personal transportation.
Today, the surviving Celerity aircraft represent important examples of innovative homebuilt design, demonstrating how simplified construction techniques could produce efficient, affordable personal aircraft without compromising performance or safety.