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Beechcraft N35 Bonanza
Undoubtedly, the Beech Bonanza stands as one of the most enduringly popular post-World War II single-engined private aircraft models of all time. Its legacy, spanning over seven decades, is a testament to its timeless appeal. The Bonanza, which took its maiden flight in December 1945, was swiftly certified by the CAA (predecessor to the FAA) in 1947. Its immediate success was evident with over 1,000 units built in the first year alone. The production of the 'V-tail' Bonanzas continued through various design iterations until 1982 when the 10,403rd and final 'V-tail' was delivered.
The single-tail version of the Bonanza remains in production to this day. The N-35 variant of the Bonanza was introduced in 1961. It featured a 19-inch cabin extension, a more powerful engine, and a higher gross weight. The most noticeable difference from earlier Bonanza models is the larger third window on either side of the fuselage. A total of 280 N-35 Bonanzas were built.
After doing some more research on this aircraft, N9493Y, revealed an interesting history. In July 1961, it was acquired by Marian Rice Hart. Over the next two decades, she would extensively pilot the plane. Born on October 10th, 1891, in London, she made history as the first woman to graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a degree in chemical engineering. Her academic journey continued with a master's degree in Geology from Columbia University.
Her adventurous spirit was evident from an early age. In 1936, she embarked on a solo journey around the world on a 75-foot ketch, completing two-thirds of the voyage over the next three years. Her thirst for adventure led her to become a ham radio operator and join the Army Signal Corps in WWII. Her expertise in navigation was so profound that she authored a textbook on the subject, which the U.S. Navy utilized throughout World War II.
Ms. Hart learned to fly in 1946 at the age of 54 and made her first transatlantic flight with a co-pilot in 1953. After buying the Bonanza in 1961, she modified it for long-range flights and made the first of seven solo transatlantic flights in 1966 at the age of 74, becoming the oldest female pilot in the world to do so. She would fly this plane at one time or another over every continent except Antarctica. She would fly most of these flights solo up until her 80s. Her final tour of South America in the Bonanza ended in Tucson with a minor landing accident in 1981. By this time, she had accumulated up to 5,000 hours of flying time. The aircraft was donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum that December. On July 2nd, 1990, Marian Rice Hart passed away due to complications from pneumonia at the age of 98.
Beechcraft N35 Bonanza
Undoubtedly, the Beech Bonanza stands as one of the most enduringly popular post-World War II single-engined private aircraft models of all time. Its legacy, spanning over seven decades, is a testament to its timeless appeal. The Bonanza, which took its maiden flight in December 1945, was swiftly certified by the CAA (predecessor to the FAA) in 1947. Its immediate success was evident with over 1,000 units built in the first year alone. The production of the 'V-tail' Bonanzas continued through various design iterations until 1982 when the 10,403rd and final 'V-tail' was delivered.
The single-tail version of the Bonanza remains in production to this day. The N-35 variant of the Bonanza was introduced in 1961. It featured a 19-inch cabin extension, a more powerful engine, and a higher gross weight. The most noticeable difference from earlier Bonanza models is the larger third window on either side of the fuselage. A total of 280 N-35 Bonanzas were built.
After doing some more research on this aircraft, N9493Y, revealed an interesting history. In July 1961, it was acquired by Marian Rice Hart. Over the next two decades, she would extensively pilot the plane. Born on October 10th, 1891, in London, she made history as the first woman to graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a degree in chemical engineering. Her academic journey continued with a master's degree in Geology from Columbia University.
Her adventurous spirit was evident from an early age. In 1936, she embarked on a solo journey around the world on a 75-foot ketch, completing two-thirds of the voyage over the next three years. Her thirst for adventure led her to become a ham radio operator and join the Army Signal Corps in WWII. Her expertise in navigation was so profound that she authored a textbook on the subject, which the U.S. Navy utilized throughout World War II.
Ms. Hart learned to fly in 1946 at the age of 54 and made her first transatlantic flight with a co-pilot in 1953. After buying the Bonanza in 1961, she modified it for long-range flights and made the first of seven solo transatlantic flights in 1966 at the age of 74, becoming the oldest female pilot in the world to do so. She would fly this plane at one time or another over every continent except Antarctica. She would fly most of these flights solo up until her 80s. Her final tour of South America in the Bonanza ended in Tucson with a minor landing accident in 1981. By this time, she had accumulated up to 5,000 hours of flying time. The aircraft was donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum that December. On July 2nd, 1990, Marian Rice Hart passed away due to complications from pneumonia at the age of 98.