PH-BNF Beech F.33C Bonanza c/n CJ-135 - RLS - Groningen Airport Eelde in Holland - 14 September 1989

Beech Aircraft Corporation introduced the Model 33 as a cheaper, lighter-weight 4-seater version of the popular Beech Model 35 Bonanza. The Model 33 design used the Bonanza fuselage, a similar wing with blunted tips and a single fin/rudder in place of the V-tail. The prototype Beech 33 Debonair, N829R c/n DC-1, was flown for the first time on 14 September 1959. The Beech 33 Debonair was placed in production in 1960. Initial Model 33 production was powered by a 225 hp Continental IO-470-J engine, and the A33, which appeared in 1961, featured a gross weight increase from 2,900 to 3,000 lb., revised aileron and elevator trim tab systems. In 1962, the B33 was introduced with an IO-470-K engine and various refinements. The C33, first produced in 1965, differed from its predecessor in having an enlarged rear window and a restyled cabin interior. A more powerful version of the Debonair was the C33A that joined the C33 in production in 1966. The name Debonair was dropped in 1967, and the name Bonanza was adopted for this model range as well. Development of the 33 continued with the E33 and E33A, the aerobatic E33C, the economy G33 and the F33, available in A and aerobatic C models powered by a 285 hp Continental IO-520-BA. The F33A remained in production until 1996, bringing the number of Beech Model 33 built at 3352. On 8 February 1980, the Beech Aircraft Corporation became a subsidiary of the Raytheon Company, the aircraft are therefore also known as Raytheon Beech.

In the period 1977-1991, the Rijksluchtvaartschool at Groningen Airport Eelde in the Netherlands operated a total of 16 Beech F.33C Bonanza. In 1981, two additional Beech F.33A Bonanza were added. Their Beech F.33C Bonanza PH-BNF was registered on 20 January 1978. This Beechcraft is powered by a 285hp Continental IO-520-BA-12B engine. The registered owner of the PH-BNF was Staat der Nederlanden / Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat / Rijksluchtvaartdienst / Directie Rijksluchtvaartschool, Eelde. Starting 1990, the Beech F.33A and F.33C in service with the RLS were replaced by the Beech A36AT Bonanza. Beech F.33C PH-BNF was sold in the UK. Regsitration PH-BNF was cancelled on 27 February 1991 and the aircraft was rgeistered G-BTFN the same day. After the registration G-BTFN was cancelled on 24 February 1997, the Beech was registered N249SL in the USA on 13 March 1997.