During the interviews with Melville and Rutan after the flight they mentioned that back up systems were needed, were used and saved the day. All part of good aeronautical design and Rutan does good designs – to put it mildly. To have him explain his thinking about any of his ground breaking projects to you on a one to one basis is a quite mind-blowing experience. The time he took me into his office back in 1990 is burned into my memory alongside other privileged conversations with Whittle, Hooker and Hooper. Amazing men.