Aero-Linx!

Scouring the information super airways can sometimes be a tough, if educational, task for the Aero-News staff... but it also allows us to check out some truly neat and exciting sites, so it's not that bad a gig. On any given day, we may check dozens (and often hundreds) of different sources for story ideas, and facts confirmation. And, as is the nature of our business, much of this is done on the Internet.

The ANN gang decided we probably shouldn't keep some of the neat sites, info resources, and organizations we've discovered to ourselves... so we decided to bring you Aero-Linx. These are the sites that WE check out -- when we need added perspective, a new spin on a day's topic... or just want to escape into cyber-aero-space for awhile.

Look for some of our favorite sites, coming each day to ANN via Aero-Linx. Suggestions for future Aero-Linx segments are always welcome, as well.

Aero-Linx: Bonanza Airlines

Bonanza Air Services (BAS) was formed in early in 1945 by Edmund Converse, a former lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy; Charlie Keene, once an operator of a small charter operation in Santa Paula, California; and June Simon, daughter of "Pop" Simon the former secretary-director of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. BAS located its home base at the Sky Haven Airfield, now known as the North Las Vegas Air Terminal, and began operating with just one single-engine, four-seat Cessna. The company offered charter flights to several small Nevada towns but needed a place to promote its product. The trio struck a deal with the El Rancho Vegas Hotel and Casino to set up a ticket counter in the lobby. Bonanza Air Lines was the aviation pioneer in the western United States and proved to be a vital link in the air transportation industry. In it's 23 years of operation BAL growth continued up until the time of the merger. Bonanza will be remembered as a successful airline.

FMI: www.bonanzaairlines.com/