THE V35 BONNIE - ONE OF THE BEST BUYS EVER?

When the Bonanza first emerged, it set a new standard for light aircraft design and now, 77 years later, it is still regarded by many as the most desirable piston single

- Guy Leitch

RIGHT FROM THE FIRST MODEL, it had that most distinguishing of all characteristics; the V-tail. The unusual butterfly-winged tail has long had its share of both proponents and detractors. Walter Beech claimed that the V-tail was lighter and aerodynamically cleaner than a conventional tailed aeroplane. (See the box on History and development)

In theory Walter Beech may have been correct, but in practice, the unconventional tail has been a continual cause of heated debate amongst its many fans and detractors. It seems there are very few who have flown a V-tail Bonanza who do not have strong feelings about its uniqueness.

To start with the detractors: there are two main reasons why the V-tail is perceived to be inferior to those Bonanzas with a conventional tail.

The primary complaint is that the V-tail is less stable in yaw. For some commentators this has always been the real problem. However, conventional wisdom holds that if the pilot simply rests her feet on the rudder pedals, most of the missing longitudinal stability is restored.

The other criticism is that early models developed a reputation for shedding their tails in flight. It has been claimed that more doctors were killed by the Bonanza than by heart attacks. The reason for the early spate of structural failures was simply that it was a plane ahead of its time.