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.

FMI: www.raytheon.com