In 1947, after World War II, the American “Beechcraft Aircraft Corporation” of Wichita, Kansas, introduced a six-seat, single-engine general aviation (GA) multipurpose aircraft called the BONANZA Model 35, designed by a team led by Ralph Harmon. The Bonanza M35 prototype first flew in 1945, but was certified airworthy in March 1947 and production began that same year indefinitely to date, making it the longest continuous production aircraft of any aircraft in history (17,000 manufactured). The first models stood out for their “V” tail and the first versions with a conventional tail were called Debonair Model 33 (produced from 1960 to 1995). These aircraft were certainly ahead of their main competitor; The Cessna C-195 with a radial engine and tail skid, since the Bonanza offered a conventional retractable tricycle gear and a horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine that allowed better visibility for the pilot.
Today Beechcraft as a Textron Aviation brand, continues to build the new and improved “Bonanza G36“, with a Garmin 1000 glass cockpit and autopilot.
General Specifications: “BONANZA G-36”
- Max. Cruise Speed: 174 ktas (322 km/h)
- Max. Limit Speed: 205 kias (380 km/h)
- Max. Range: 920 nm (1,704 km)
- Stall Speed: 59 kcas (109 km/h)
- Takeoff Distance: 2,180 ft (664 m)
- Landing Distance: 1,700 ft (518 m)
- Powerplant: Continental IO-550-B / 300 hp
- Propeller: Hartzell / 3 Blade metal, constant speed
Infographics courtesy of beechcraft.txtav.com
