Celebrating the 60th
Anniversary of the Beechcraft Bonanza, Raytheon Aircraft Company
has announced a special anniversary package available for 2007
model-year airplanes. It is a combination of Beechcraft heritage
and its future, transforming traditional concepts into a modern
winner. The Beechcraft Bonanza is the only aircraft in history to
remain in continuous production for this length of time. Utilizing
the latest technology in avionics, systems and safety equipment,
paired with exquisite interior appointments, the airplane offers
the ultimate in refinement.
“The Beechcraft Bonanza is an icon of general
aviation,” said Brad Hatt, president, Commercial Aircraft.
“It is a legendary airplane design that exemplifies the proud
history of Beechcraft and the thousands of Beechcrafters who built
them over the years. With over 18,000 Bonanzas built, today’s
airplane has all the refinements of a luxury sports car, and 60
years later it is still the standard to which other aircraft are
compared.”
The optional 60th Anniversary edition of the 2007 Beechcraft
Bonanza G36 will come with a variety of handsomely appointed
accoutrements designed to exemplify the extraordinary history of
the airplane. The entire aircraft sidewall has been redesigned for
more space and comfort. The armrest is transformed from traditional
into a modern, stylish and harmonious contour. Molded into the side
of the aircraft, maximum width has been accomplished with the
addition of up to three inches of elbow room for absolute
comfort.
The leather seats are tailored with a unique combination of
beautiful exotic embossed stingray and wheat leather. This stunning
combination clearly reveals a modern design approach. Removable
headrest covers are embossed with the quintessential Bonanza
shield. Wheat embossed stingray leather is also shown on the
vertical trim panels.
Sumptuous, leather wrapped control wheels, provide an extra
dimension of luxury. The copilot wheel and power quadrant
commemorates the Anniversary with custom made emblems. A 60th
Anniversary gemstone adorns the power quadrant emblem.
Luxurious tweed carpet complements the interior upholstery, and
an additional sculpted 60th Anniversary entry mat is included with
this package.
The exterior preserves the Bonanza legacy while advancing
technology and design with specially formulated paints. The 60th
Anniversary stripe design includes Matterhorn White and Anniversary
Diamond in combination with Anniversary Topaz, Anniversary Onyx,
Anniversary Sapphire, Anniversary Ruby or Anniversary Agate. The
Anniversary stripe colors are highlighted by the gleam of a
polished aluminum (Anniversary Diamond) look.
60th Anniversary commemorative script is painted on the upper
surface of the starboard wing. The Beechcraft shield, symbolic of
uncompromising performance and style, is specially incorporated
onto the rudder. Custom designed 60th Anniversary emblems are
tastefully located aft of the rear windows.
Bonanza History
Commonly called the
“straight 35,” the first Bonanza (right) flew December
22, 1945. It was certified March 25, 1947. Powered by the
Continental E-165, which developed 165 horsepower at 2050 RPM, the
airplane had a top speed of 184 MPH.
Over the years, three different models with numerous sub-model
categories were built. The Model 35 sports the famed
“V-tail” developed due to the design’s weight and
drag savings. A reduction in total wing area and the number of
surface to fuselage intersections contributed to the reduction in
drag. It also has favorable spin recovery characteristics. Perhaps
the best benefit of all though, was its mark of distinction
identifying the airplane as the finest in its class. The Model 35
saw the production of 22 different variants and over 10,000
airplanes produced from 1947 to 1982.
In 1960, the conventional tail Model 33 was developed as the
Debonair. Initially designed as a more Spartan, lower cost
airplane, by 1968 the airplane featured many of the same amenities
as V-tail versions and became the Model 33 Bonanza. Twelve
different versions were built from 1960 to 1994 with over 3,200
produced.
The Model 36, “the biggest, most versatile Bonanza ever
built” was introduced in 1968 and was the genesis for the
model still in production today, the Beechcraft Bonanza G36. A
10-inch stretch was added to the E33A airframe and an aft bulkhead
moved aft resulting in a cabin 29 inches longer with six cubic feet
more cabin area. Because the cabin moved ten inches farther forward
over the wing, the loading envelope greatly improved. The airplane
features a nearly four-foot-wide double door on the right side of
the airplane in addition to the traditional Bonanza door over the
wing. Five different variants have been produced since 1968 with
over 4,600 airplanes built.