Burt Rutan is our generation's Werner Von Braun.
And then some!!!
I am certain that Rutan was paid well for the plane's design and production AND.....
Rutan's flight with Jenna (sp) was the first global circumnavigation, non-stop without refueling, by PROP. His record is quite secure (perhaps the use of a jet engine was mandated in order for Rutan to become involved???).
In any event, Rutan is a name for the history books for many years to come!