American Bonanza Society members stand together in their common dedication to safe, responsible flying practices and in their devotion to their Bonanza, Baron and Travel Air airplanes. In all things, ABS and its members stand for the highest quality, the most demanding standards.

     The American Bonanza Society (ABS) was founded as a membership corporation in January, 1967. Two primary purposes were considered: to exchange ideas and information related to the flying and maintenance of the Beechcraft Bonanza and to enable fellow Bonanza pilots to meet and become better acquainted through fly-in meetings to be held at different locations throughout the country.
     ABS originated with Dr. B.J. McClanahan and Henry Schlossberg who, at that time, were flying a C-35 Bonanza out of Hornell, New York. Dr. McClanahan, better known as “Mac,” had previously written a book, “Bonanza Facts,” which led to considerable correspondence from Bonanza pilots in various parts of the country. This interest strongly indicated a need for a formal organization such as the ABS. McClanahan’s and Schlossberg’s idea with the Society and with the resulting ABS newsletter was to introduce a method of exchange whereby Bonanza pilots could become more knowledgeable about Bonanzas quickly and directly.
     Early years of the Society were accented by a steady growth of members as word spread through mail-outs to Bonanza owners and through the enthusiastic efforts of many individual charter members. This period was punctuated by a series of financial crises since the Society had limited capitalization in the beginning and it soon had to borrow money to meet expenses. There was no formal headquarters; the work was conducted from the offices of Dr. McClanahan and Henry Schlossberg. Considerable volunteer work helped the organization to survive and, by the end of 1968, the membership totaled approximately 1200.
     In 1968, because of the rapid growth in membership, it was decided to make the ABS a formal organization, thus creating a Board of Directors and an Advisory board. The advisors were appointed from a group of experienced Bonanza pilot members throughout the country to help give the officers a wider outlook on the needs of the Society. The first formal meeting of the new Board of Directors of the American Bonanza Society was held in Wichita, Kansas, June, 1968.
First ABS Board of Directors
Hunter M. Bennett, Jr., Attorney at Law, Weston, West Virginia
The Honorable Frank Eldridge, Jr., State Senator, Waycross, Georgia
Robert E. Florence, President, Radair, Inc., Seattle, Washington
Nels B. Fransen, Attorney at Law, Stockton, California
James W. Gardner, President, Seabrook Blanching Corporation, Tyrone, Pennsylvania
Harold M. Graham, Rochester, New York
Mrs. Betty D. Haesloop, Rock Stream, New York
Samuel K. McCauley, Upper Darby, Pennsylvania
B.J. McClanahan, MD, Director of Laboratories, St. James/Bethesda Hospitals, Hornell, New York
John M. Miller, Poughkeepsie, New York
Richard D. Odabashian, owner, Liberty Orchards Company, Cashmere, Washington
Russell W. Rink, Terre Haute, Indiana
Frank G. Ross, Vice President and a Director of the Hunter Milling Company, Wellington, Kansas
Henry Schlossberg, Manager of Marion Rohr Corporation, Hornell, New York
Francis X. Sommer, MD, Gynecologist and Surgeon, Barbourville, Kentucky
William C. Squires, Manager-OEM Sales, Narco Avionics, Fort Washington, Pa.

     In October, 1969, the officers and Advisory Board met in Brunswick, Ga. It became apparent that the Society had grown to such proportions that some business management help was needed. December, 1969, marked the opening of the first National Headquarters located in the Terminal Building at the Chemung County Airport near Elmira, New York.
     Mr. Ralph Haesloop of Elmira was hired as the business manager of the new headquarters and later became the first full-time Executive Director of the ABS.
Chemung County Airport
     In May, 1970, a special membership meeting of the American Bonanza Society was called to vote on amending the ABS bylaws. The amendments allow for the Board of Directors to reorganize to give wider geographical representation and to hire an Executive Director to work at the direction of the executive committee.
     At the Fifth Annual Convention in Dallas, Texas, during August, 1973, the ABS bylaws were again amended to include the two immediate past ABS Presidents as members of the ABS Board of Directors in order to ensure continuity of management.
     At the Board of Directors meeting held in Minneapolis, MN, July 25, 1975, the Board approved the addition of an Assistant Administrator to the ABS staff. Harold E. Dee, Jr. was hired as the first Assistant Administrator of the ABS.
     At the annual membership meeting in Minneapolis, Minn., July, 1975, amendments to the bylaws were passed which provided for 11 Directors-at-large to be elected to govern the ABS. The 11 Directors would subsequently elect from within the Board membership the four ABS officers.
     At the ABS Board of Directors meeting held in Wichita, Kan., on November 30, 1974, the Board passed a resolution to move the ABS National Headquarters from its present location, Chemung County Airport, Horseheads, NY, to Wichita, Kan., by December 31, 1976. Two possible locations were found, one at the Wichita Municipal Airport and one at the Municipal Airport, Augusta, Airport. Because the ABS was incorporated in New York State, the change in location of the National Headquarters would require membership approval. The move was voted down by the membership.
     At the end of 1976, Ralph G. Haesloop, Executive Director of the ABS retired. An era of ABS was over with his retirement as he saw the ABS through many rough roads.
     The Board of Directors appointed William M. Guinther as the new Executive Director effective January 1, 1977. Bill Guinther was a well-versed authority on Bonanzas; he taught many seminars on the Bonanza at ABS conventions since 1972. He was a combat Air Force jet pilot in Korea, a member of the Air Force thunderstorm flight investigation group, an operator of a charter air service, and a sales representative for Atlantic Aviation, specializing in Bonanzas and Barons, before operating his own business as a flight consultant and recurrent training expert.
     On September 10, 1977, the Board of Directors approved a move of the ABS Headquarters to Reading, Pa., after the request by Executive Director Bill Guinther. As of November 1, 1977, the ABS was in full operation at the Reading Municipal Airport. The first order of business at the Reading office was to enter the membership roster into a computer. This was accomplished in a period of about two months. The computer indicated the ABS had a membership of about 6,100 which, by July, 1978, had grown to 6,528. This growth was accomplished by a very successful solicitation by Jim Stargel, who joined the Bonanza Society as Associate Director on February 6, 1978. Bill Guinther resigned as Executive Director of the ABS on November 10, 1980.
 At the Thirteenth Annual Convention at Las Vegas, Nev., September, 1981, it was announced the Society had decided to relocate to Wichita, Kan., and build a permanent headquarters facility. It was also announced that John Frank, Jr. had been hired as Executive Director of the ABS. John, a long-time ABS member and North Central Chapter founder, brought a technical expertise (A&P, with IA and CFII) to the organization that would allow it to serve the members even better.
     On December 7, 1981, the Wichita Airport Authority approved the plans for the construction of the new ABS National Headquarters building at Mid-Continent Airport in Wichita. Construction began the first week in January, 1982. To help pay construction costs, a Building Fund Drive was created.
     On January 1, 1982, the Society began operating from temporary offices in the Wichita Airport Terminal building in Wichita, Kansas. On January 19, 1982, despite the frigid and snowy weather, Society President E.M. “Tex” Anderson joined with the members of the Wichita community, held the groundbreaking at the headquarters site on the Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport. President Anderson stated at the ceremony that “the foremost purpose and reason for coming to Wichita and constructing this building is to provide the best service possible to the membership, especially in the technical area.”
     On October 16, 1982, over 15 years of dreaming, planning and work by the members, directors and staff of the American Bonanza Society were culminated with the dedication of the American Bonanza Society’s headquarters building at Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport.
     The 1,600 square foot office building housed the ABS staff, records and technical library. It is the central point from which all ABS activities are directed. Over half of the $100,000 cost of the facility has been offset by members’ donations.
     In 15 years, the American Bonanza Society has grown from a handful of people putting together a brief newsletter on their own time to the third largest organization in general aviation, with permanent headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, and a staff of five people conducting programs for Bonanza owners throughout the country. The building stands as a monument to all those who have participated in the organization during its existence.
     On December, 1984, Cliff Sones, previously hired as Associate Director, was promoted to the position of Administrator, then later to Executive Director after the resignation of Mr. John M. Frank, Jr. Sones served the Society for the following 10 years.
     On October, 1987, the Board of Directors of the ABS Air Safety Foundation approved plans to expand the ABS headquarters facility in Wichita from 1,600 square feet to 3,200 square feet. The overall project was budgeted at $100,000. On June, 1988, the 1,600 square foot expansion to the ABS National Headquarters was completed.
Chronological Evolution of Regional Societies
     Shortly after the founding of the American Bonanza Society by Dr. B.J. McClanahan and Henry Schlossberg, the success of the rapid growth of the ABS created the first formation of regional societies to better help pass along information and allow the individual Bonanza pilots within an area to become better acquainted with each other. Activities, separate from National ABS activities, included fly-ins to Service Clinics held by the chapter members.
     The Western Society was the first formed in 1968 on the West Coast by Attorney Nels B. Fransen, a vigorous supporter of the ABS and a member of the Advisory Board.
     The next regional to be formed was the Southeast Society in 1972. Its formation officially took place at a fly-in at Jekyll Island, Georgia. The East Central Society, Rocky Mountain Society, North Central Society and Southwest Society were formed in 1973.
     In 1988, the American Bonanza Society Board of Directors announced the formation of the Australian Bonanza Society; this was the first international group affiliated with ABS. The second international affiliate, The African Bonanza Society, was formed in the early '90s.
     Today, in addition to the international affiliates, there are six U.S.-based regionals:
I. Rocky Mountain - Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.
II. Southwest - Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
III. Midwest - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Ohio and Kentucky.
IV. North East - Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia (north), West Virginia and Washington, D.C.
V. Southeastern - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia (south), Mississippi and Tennessee.
VI. Pacific - Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Alaska.

KEY PROGRAMS OF THE ABS
     The two primary purposes of the founding of the American Bonanza Society was to: (1) exchange ideas and information related to the flying and maintenance of the Beechcraft Bonanza and (2) to enable fellow Bonanza pilots to meet and become better acquainted through fly-in meetings to be held at different locations throughout the country.
     The first purpose regarding the exchange of ideas and information related to the flying and maintenance of the Beechcraft Bonanza led to the development of the American Bonanza Society Newsletter.
    The ABS Newsletter has undergone significant changes over time.
     In 1982, finding it very difficult trying to figure out a cover design which would incorporate all three Bonanzas, it was decided to hold a logo contest. The ABS selected the five best entries and submitted them to the Board of Directors for a vote. The logo preference, designed by Al Worthing, Wichita, Kansas, was the logo used on the newsletter covers from February, 1982 until March, 1986. This logo became the official logo for the ABS, still used today, by the ABS in the Newsletter, headquarters building, and stationary. The logo design that took second place, submitted by Scott Norris of Wilcox, Arizona, was decided to be used in the Service Clinic certificates and patches. In April, 1986 the newsletter cover again changed, converting to full color cover; this remains the cover of choice today.

Newsletter Evolution
 Dr. McClanahan bore the sole responsibility for the monthly newsletter in the early years of the ABS and had it printed in Hornell, New York, where he lived. He then flew the newsletters over to the ABS office, located at the Elmira/Corning Regional Airport, a 20-minute flight, where they were stuffed in addressed envelopes and mailed out. However, Mac’s medical workload pre-empted this arrangement and Ralph G. Haesloop, ABS HL115, was appointed newsletter editor to relieve him from this demanding load. From then on, the Newsletter would be edited and printed from the location of the ABS headquarters.
 Many of the ABS membership enthusiastically volunteered help and encouragement to the newsletter. Information in the newsletter was devoured and many members contributed heavily with letters containing photos and descriptions of how they had modified their Bonanzas or how they had corrected service difficulties. This section of the newsletter became known as the “News and Views” section.
     Many of the questions required research and professional expertise in order to properly answer them, Norm Colvin (who at that time was Beech’s service manager for Bonanzas), Dick Scheffner and Ken Gardner at Teledyne Continental, Hunter Bennett, ABS 324, who was a really knowledgeable Bonanza buff, and many others were solicited to do this job.
     As the membership grew, so did the newsletter; it had become evident that a classified ad section of the newsletter was needed both for information to members on where to find Bonanza necessities and for the income the ABS needed to support the organization and newsletter. It started with one page and soon it took off; it became a popular way for advertisers to reach Bonanza owners and an interesting adjunct to the newsletter.
     In 1977, after 37 years with Beech Aircraft, Norm Colvin retired as Project Service Engineer on the Bonanza and Baron aircraft; it was shortly afterwards that Norm joined the ABS staff as a Technical Consultant. After joining the staff, Norm became a regular feature in the newsletter with “Colvin’s Corner,” which expanded his dealing with the technical problems of the Bonanza and Baron aircraft.
     The “Bonanza of the Month” has always been the cover for the newsletter; members sent in pictures of their Bonanzas, history, and aircraft specifications.

ABS Newsletter Bonanzas of the Month.
     Through the years, comments by the current ABS presidents, information regarding the ABS insurance program, ABS Chapter Event information, ABS calendar of events, Currents column with Lewis C. Gage, Avionics column, Travel Tips, and the Outlook Column with the ABS Executive Director were all added to the newsletter.
     With all the above information provided over the years within the newsletter one would think that the Bonanza/Baron owners would be provided sufficient information. This, however, has not been the case; the following programs were developed to further educate and help the Bonanza/Baron owners.

The Conventions
     The second purpose for the development of the ABS; enabling the Bonanza pilots to meet and become better acquainted through fly-in meetings to be held at different locations throughout the country.

 ABS Insurance Program
     In 1971, at the ABS Board of Director’s Meeting, a group aircraft insurance proposal was presented by Don Flower Associates, Inc. of Wichita. After investigation of the insurance offered, the program strongly appealed to the Directors, and the Board approved the activity. The American Bonanza Society, being a non-profit organization, did not intend to go into the insurance business. However, the Society was interested in passing information that could be of value and may save in operating costs on the members.

ABS/Air Safety Foundation
     In 1979, the American Bonanza Society Air Safety Foundation was formed. The foundation was formed to provide the Society with a useful and flexible corporate vehicle which operates free of tax liability to develop an increasing range of practical and educational services directed toward the safe operation of the Bonanza aircraft. Operating under specific provisions of the Tax Code, the new foundation is considered to be both an educational and a charitable organization. Accordingly, the educational functions of the ABS will be conducted increasingly within the Foundation and, as a charitable organization, anyone may make tax deductible contributions of cash or property to the Foundation. All educational and safety programs were transferred or placed into the Foundation. This includes the Service Clinics and the Bonanza Pilot Proficiency Program (BPPP).

Bonanza Service Clinics
     The Bonanza Service clinics started with factory sponsored clinics for all Bonanza owners; eventually they were discontinued. One of the first things implemented after Norm Colvin became an ABS Technical Consultant were the Service Clinics. The service clinics allowed the Bonanza—and later the Baron—owners to get hands-on service training of their aircraft taught by experts on the Bonanza/Baron aircraft.
     When it was suggested that Norm Colvin do a Service Clinic-type inspection of a Bonanza at a Convention, everyone applauded; however the problem was how to get everyone close enough to see what Norm was talking about. Cal Early came up with the idea of closed-circuit TV. As a bonus, a videotape was made of Norm’s two presentations. These videotapes were the beginning of the development of a library of videotapes, film, and audio tapes made available to the ABS members.
     In 1983, after much prodding and coaxing by the membership, Norm finally came out with the publication of Colvin’s Clinic in book form.
     In 1985, a videotape was produced of the Bonanza Clinic and offered to the members by the Society’s Safety Foundation.

Bonanza Pilot Proficiency Program (BPPP)
     In 1983, the ABS Air Safety Foundation put together a program originally named the Bonanza Pilot Checkout Program (BPCP). The program consisted of 8 hours of classroom ground instruction and 4 hours of flight instruction in the members’ aircraft. The program was designed for the Bonanza aircraft and Bonanza pilot. Systems, normal operations, emergency procedures, and pilot technique were just a few of the subjects covered. Later, the program name was changed to Bonanza Pilot Proficiency Program (BPPP), and the Beech Baron was added to the program.
     In 1985, a videotape of the Bonanza Pilot Proficiency Program was produced. This allows all members to study the major elements of the Bonanza training program.

ABS/AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT FUND
     The American Bonanza Society Air Safety Foundation is an active, working organization with an ongoing mission that continues to grow and expand in its outreach to thousands of owners/pilots of Beech bonanza and Baron-type aircraft. The essence of the outreach program is threefold: education, training, and research.
Education
     The ABS/Air Safety Foundation currently is engaged in intensive education of its members through a variety of avenues:
• On-going technical consulting service.
• Surveys of other aviation safety-related programs and activities.
• Provides a number of educational videos and is actively planning others. A series of Bonanza- and Baron-related videos will be produced and introduced to the membership at a very nominal fee as a result of this endowment funding: Emergencies in Bonanzas and Barons; Bonanzas and Barons Icing Perils; Summer and Winter Operations for Bonanzas and Barons; Bonanza Systems; Baron Systems; Forced Landings; Bonanza and Baron Proficiency/Recurrency, and many others that apply to all of us.
• Provides an ongoing series of Service Clinics around the nation offering expert advice and opinions on the conditions of participants’ aircraft.
     The Bonanza/Baron Pilot Proficiency Programs and the Service Clinic Programs will be expanded and underwritten so that even though they are better than ever, their costs will not rise above the current rates, if at all possible.
Training
     The ABS/ASF recognizes and addresses the need for continued and upgraded pilot proficiency. The Bonanza/Baron Pilot Proficiency Program is unique—a model in the field. The BPPP provides the most comprehensive and expert aircraft-specific training available anywhere and presents a major opportunity for the improvement of air safety of all ABS members included in this program are:
• Initial and recurring pilot proficiency enhancement courses.
• The cockpit companion course.
• The mountain flying course.
Research
     Through close and on-going contact with ABS members, and through cooperative efforts with other similar organizations, the ABS/Air Safety Foundation:
• Monitors and analyzes aircraft accident reports and maintains research files.
• Carries on accident prevention studies.
• Periodically publishes a Safety Alert bulletin, which is inserted in the ABS Newsletter.
• Maintains a growing library of technical information on Bonanza, Barons, and Travel Air aircraft, as well as AD search service. We also hope to secure additional STC/337 information and technical installation drawings for the library that will be shared with the membership.
     The long-term goal of the Air Safety Foundation is to ensure the success of its programs by securing an endowment fund of five million dollars. This will provide a permanent source of revenues that will be used to carry on and expand the work of the foundation.
2000 Update

 February, 2001 - ABS has advanced both in size and activities since the last update of this history. In 2000, membership surpassed 10,000 and continues to grow. The ABS Website has become a major factor in that growth, with one-third of new members signing up "on line." Tradition holds though, in that word-of-mouth by enthusiastic members remains the Society's primary and best marketing tool.
     In recent years, many of the regional societies worked to become greater sources of the "social" function for Bonanza, Baron and Travel Air owners by considerably increasing their fly-in activities. Well-organized, enjoyable gatherings now regularly occur throughout the U.S. and Australia, providing opportunities for camaraderie and hangar flying.
     With the aging of the Beech fleet, the ABS Board recognized the need to expand its technical services to and on behalf of Society members. ABS technical advisors have been and continue to be active participants in FAA and NTSB model-specific incident and accident investigations.
    The technical advisory services of the Society have been put to good use by the membership, increasing significantly in recent years. Incoming telephone inquiries now average 150 per week, plus an average of 130 e-mail questions are received at headquarters each month.
     The ABS Magazine remains the centerpiece of membership services, and, under the leadership of Nancy Johnson, ABS Executive Director since 1997, has grown in size and sophistication to become the premier type-club publication. It now numbers no less than 80 pages each month, quite a change from the four-page, black-and-white typed newsletter of its early days. Despite the many changes, however, its appeal still is based primarily on the fact that it is a member-driven magazine, with numerous articles by members sharing their experiences in the maintenance and operation of their beloved aircraft.
     In 2000, ABS headquarters in Wichita underwent a complete interior "facelift," with the result being a major improvement in both its appearance and efficiency of operations. If you're "in the neighborhood," please be sure to stop by!

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