February 2007 - American Bonanza Society

8[[C~CRRfl OF THE MO~THN3131YAnn K. CurcioRacine, Wisconsin1947 VALENTINEY flight training started on a small~grass strip in Racine County,Wi sconsin, known as GuntlyMemorial Airport (62C). After myfirst flight, I was hooked; fl ying was thegreatest thing in the whole world! Aftera few lessons in a rented Cessna 150, Iquickly received the nickname CaptainSmiley because every time I stepped outof the plane, I wore a big smile.I purchased an Ercoupe to continuemy training and eagerly flew aliI coulddespite the cold nasty winter weather ofWisconsin. One cold day in January as [was warming myself in the maintenancehangar, I spotted a beautiful Bonanzagoing through its annual inspection andwalked over to admire it.I wasn't looking for another airplane,much less a 1947 Bonanza, butthis one looked like a newer model withits paint scheme, and it had been modifiedwith the small third windows andS-model wingtips. A closer inspectionrevealed full IFR equipment, neweravionics, nice interior, 20-gallon fuselageaux. tank, electric boost pump andthe Beech 215 electric prop.Overall, this model appeared to bein very good condition. Tom Guntly, theresident mechanic completing the annual,teasingly quipped, "It's for sale."Ann and Dan Curcio.[ promptly went home and told myhusband that for Valentine's Day I wantedthat Bonanza. On February 14, 2000,I received Bonanza SIN D558, N3131 V.Ann Curcio with her flying companion Buddy, a smooth·hair fox terrier she got as a rescue dog.Capt. Smiley's adventuresI flew 31 V to EAA AirVenture atOshkosh July 23, 2000, with myinstructor in the right seat in the WomenWith Wings group-my first experiencewith formation flying.After completing my private pilottraining in 31 V, flying mostly off thatsame small grass strip, I passed myflight test September 9. The flightexaminer, who was in his 60s, said thatin his entire time as an examiner he hadnever had anyone take their private pilotexam in a high-performance complexaircraft. "No problem !" I said.The next weekend for my firstflight as a new private pilot, I took mytrusting husband to the annual openhouse at Meigs Field. I was put in aholding pattern a mile out over LakeMichigan and was seventh to land-andI thought flying would eliminateChicago traffic! Unfonunately, MeigsField is now gone, which is a shame