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380:. Due to lackluster sales in the aircraft industry, in 1982 Raytheon reorganized several divisions and removed Beech and Hedrick from the board of directors of Beechcraft and gave her the title of chairman emeritus. Beech wasn't surprised by the move and remarked, "Mr. Hedrick, we sold the farm. If they don't like us living on it, that is their prerogative." She was inducted into the American National Business Hall of Fame in 1983 and became the first contemporary inductee in the
44:
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After Walter's death in
November 1950, Olive Ann assumed leadership of the company by being named president and chair of the board and was the first woman to head a major aircraft company. Production of aircraft for the military during the Korean War continued and facilities were expanded. Production
234:
as vice president of engineering, K. K. Shaul as treasurer, and investor C. G. Yankey as vice president. Olive Ann worked with the financial side of the business and played an important role in major company decisions. The first airplane the company designed and built was a biplane with negatively
353:
magazine when
Beechcraft would be producing a jet, Beech replied "We will, when it is compatible with our other activities." This was another example of her "Slowly We Go" policy that she had adopted after government contracts were cancelled after World War II and the Korean War. Although piston
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was introduced in 1956 along with a way for new owners to finance their purchase through the newly formed
Beechcraft Acceptance Corporation. Beech Aircraft took steps to support the United States' space exploration efforts during the late 1950s with development of cryogenic systems for
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Olive Ann was kept busy with military production during the war but she also planned for the eventual end of the war. In 1946, the first aircraft to be certified for civilian production by the war production authorities was the Twin Beech. Production was also started on the
225:
In 1932, following Olive Ann's philosophy, “If you want something, you can do it,” Olive and Walter Beech established Beech
Aircraft "with the goal to build the finest airplanes in the world." Walter Beech quit Curtiss-Wright and started
367:
purchased Beech
Aircraft and Beech remained as chair while also being seated on the Raytheon board of directors. After the merger, Beech was the largest individual shareholder of Raytheon stock. On December 12, 1980, the U.S.
387:
After retirement from
Beechcraft, Beech continued to oversee her personal investments and contribute to various civic and philanthropic projects and was a key supporter of the Wichita Art Association, her church, and
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In 1968, Olive Ann Beech announced Frank E. Hedrick, her nephew, as her successor to the presidency of Beech
Aircraft while retaining the position of chair of the board and chief executive officer. In 1980,
184:, where she attended school. At the age of seven, she had her own bank account and was given the task of writing checks to pay the family bills at the age of eleven. In 1917, the Mellor family moved to
164:, and a team of three others. She earned more awards, honorary appointments, and special citations than any other woman in aviation history and was often referred to as the “First Lady of Aviation”.
188:
where she skipped high school and began attending the
American Secretarial and Business College. At 18, she left Wichita to take a job at an electrical contracting firm in nearby
277:
and Olive Ann took over the leadership of the company at a time when retooling was required for military production of both the
Staggerwing and the Twin Beech. She arranged for
426:
217:
in August 1929. Walter Beech assumed the presidency of
Curtiss-Wright and moved to New York City. On February 24, 1930, they were married at Wichita and she moved to New York.
209:
in Wichita. After learning the business, she handled correspondence, kept the records, and conducted transactions. She was soon promoted to office manager and secretary to
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239:. Olive Ann suggested that to help increase sales of the aircraft that the company should sponsor a woman pilot flying the Staggerwing in the 1936 transcontinental
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1109:
376:, the highest honor the aviation fraternity bestows, for her contributions to the aviation industry. The following year, she was inducted into the
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810:
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871:
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aircraft sales for Beechcraft were at record highs during the 1960s, her policy would affect the company's late entry into the jet market.
156:(September 25, 1903 – July 6, 1993) was an American aerospace businesswoman who was the co-founder, president, and chairwoman of the
506:
Hess, Susan; "Olive Ann and Walter H. Beech: Partners in Aviation", Special Collections and University Archives, Wichita State University
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in 1964, Olive Ann decided that Beechcraft should produce a turboprop version of the Queen Air instead of a jet. Asked by a reporter for
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In 1925, at the age of 21, she was hired by Clyde Cessna and took a job as an office secretary and bookkeeper for the newly formed
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83,000,000 in loans for the expansion of production of both. Beech Aircraft produced more than 7,400 aircraft during
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157:
699:"1980–Olive Ann Beech", Wright Brothers Memorial 1980–1989 Recipients, National Aeronautic Association
286:
824:"Paul E. Garber Shrine - First Flight Society - Aviation organization on the Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills, NC"
389:
851:
482:
Lambert, Bruce; "Olive A. Beech, 89, Retired Head of Beech Aircraft", 7 July 1993, The New York Times Company
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for the civilian market. Other airplanes introduced after the war included a military primary trainer called
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as well as the successful use of Beech Aircraft built cabin pressurization equipment used in the
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573:"Travel Air to Merge With Curtiss-Wright" Lawrence (Kansas) Journal-World, 7 August 1929, p. 1
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which were used to train navigators and bombardiers. Beech Aircraft also was awarded five
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422:(now named the McDonald Distinguished Statesman & Stateswoman of Aviation Award).
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series of spacecraft. In response to the introduction of crosstown Wichita rival
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on July 6, 1993. Olive and her husband are buried at Old Mission Mausoleum in
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1024:
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Archive - Walter H. and Olive Ann Beech Collection at Wichita State University
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was diversified with the introduction of missile targets for the military.
176:, to Franklin Benjamin Mellor and Susannah Miller Mellor. Her father was a
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as co-pilot, won the race against some of the nation's best male pilots.
346:
301:
which was a variant of the Bonanza and an executive type aircraft, the
593:"Olive Ann Beech: the Woman from Waverly Who Changed Aviation History"
460:, into the Paul E Garber First Flight Shrine in Kill Devil Hills, NC.
75:
620:
The staggerwing story : a history of the Beechcraft model 17
534:"Olive Beech", List of Enshrinees, National Aviation Hall of Fame
230:
in Wichita, naming himself as president, Olive Ann as secretary,
318:
213:, one of the founders of Travel Air. Travel Air merged with the
1005:
Olive Ann Beech stepping down from as head of Beech Aircraft;
782:"Distinguished Statesman & Stateswoman of Aviation Award"
172:
Beech was born as Olive Ann Mellor on September 25, 1903, in
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In 1974, Beech received the Elder Statesman Award from the
803:
These We Honor: The International Aerospace Hall of Fame
546:"51 Heroes of Aviation", Flying Magazine, Bonnier Corp
1033:
956:"Olive Ann and Walter H. Beech: Partners in Aviation"
977:"Olive A. Beech, 89, Retired Head of Beech Aircraft"
456:
In 2023, Beech was inducted, along with her husband
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Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame
160:. She founded the company in 1932 with her husband,
876:
Wright Brothers Memorial 1980–1989 Recipients
131:
121:
110:
102:
83:
53:
34:
443:In 2013, Beech was listed, along with her husband
305:which served both civilian and military markets.
898:. National Aviation Hall of Fame. Archived from
453:'s 51 Heroes of Aviation, ranking at number 31.
8:
998:Biographical article about Olive Ann Beech;
641:
639:
622:. Eagan, Minn.: Flying Books International.
960:Special Collections and University Archives
434:International Air & Space Hall of Fame
269:The main Beechcraft plant in Wichita, 1956
235:staggered wings which became known as the
42:
31:
939:. Kansas City, Missouri: Rockhill Books.
916:"Travel Air to Merge With Curtiss-Wright"
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476:
474:
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1165:National Aviation Hall of Fame inductees
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321:. The 1960s saw the introduction of the
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395:Beech died in her sleep at her home in
254:In 1937, Beech Aircraft introduced the
1175:Kansas Business Hall of Fame inductees
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262:and was also sold all over the world.
180:. At a young age, the family moved to
114:First Lady of Aviation, Co-founder of
1170:20th-century American philanthropists
432:In 1995, Beech was inducted into the
425:In 1994, Beech was inducted into the
411:In 1973, Beech was inducted into the
7:
1135:20th-century American businesspeople
1160:People from Sedgwick County, Kansas
1150:Businesspeople from Wichita, Kansas
1140:20th-century American businesswomen
1120:American women corporate directors
48:Ann Beech, signed November 8, 1945
25:
1125:People from Coffey County, Kansas
878:. National Aeronautic Association
420:National Aeronautical Association
258:which was adopted for use by the
1095:American aviation businesspeople
1067:
1055:
1043:
805:. Donning Co. Publishers, 2006.
761:. National Aviation Hall of Fame
438:San Diego Air & Space Museum
273:In 1940, Walter became ill with
207:Travel Air Manufacturing Company
1110:American women company founders
975:Lambert, Bruce (July 7, 1993).
920:Lawrence (Kansas) Journal-World
374:Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy
370:National Aeronautic Association
136:Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy
413:National Aviation Hall of Fame
378:National Aviation Hall of Fame
312:Under Beech's leadership, the
143:National Aviation Hall of Fame
1:
1002:; February 26, 1961; page 6A.
801:Sprekelmeyer, Linda, editor.
1115:American corporate directors
1009:; February 3, 1980; page 1B.
979:. The New York Times Company
937:The Barnstormer and the Lady
872:"1980–Olive Ann Beech"
618:Phillips, Edward H. (1996).
382:Kansas Business Hall of Fame
1155:People from Augusta, Kansas
1191:
1090:American aviation pioneers
962:. Wichita State University
215:Curtiss-Wright Corporation
158:Beech Aircraft Corporation
1145:People from Paola, Kansas
390:Soroptimist International
41:
708:Farney, pp 172–174
243:. Beech-sponsored pilot
168:Early life and education
935:Farney, Dennis (2010).
852:"51 Heroes of Aviation"
755:"Ensrhinee Olive Beech"
303:Beechcraft Twin Bonanza
654:Farney, pp 88–89
555:Farney, pp 35–38
325:series as well as the
270:
228:Beech Aircraft Company
27:American businesswoman
18:Olive Ann Mellor Beech
314:Beechcraft Travel Air
268:
126:Walter Herschel Beech
828:First Flight Society
759:nationalaviation.org
358:Later life and death
323:Beechcraft Queen Air
287:Army-Navy "E" Awards
237:Model 17 Staggerwing
597:Kansas Public Radio
397:Eastborough, Kansas
335:Beechcraft King Air
327:Beechcraft Debonair
260:U.S. Army Air Corps
178:building contractor
896:List of Enshrinees
295:Beechcraft Bonanza
271:
241:Bendix Trophy Race
68:September 25, 1903
946:978-1-935362-69-2
811:978-1-57864-397-4
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16:(Redirected from
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922:. August 7, 1929
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58:Olive Ann Mellor
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902:on May 12, 2012
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174:Waverly, Kansas
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154:Olive Ann Beech
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111:Known for
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91:(aged 89)
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892:"Olive Beech"
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247:, along with
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1029:Find a Grave
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981:. Retrieved
964:. Retrieved
959:
936:
924:. Retrieved
919:
904:. Retrieved
900:the original
895:
880:. Retrieved
875:
860:. Retrieved
855:
831:. Retrieved
827:
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802:
797:
785:. Retrieved
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763:. Retrieved
758:
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731:
722:
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704:
695:
686:
677:
672:Farney, p 99
668:
659:
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601:. Retrieved
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582:Farney, p 50
578:
569:
560:
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449:
447:, as one of
442:
431:
424:
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392:of Wichita.
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350:
311:
307:
291:
283:World War II
275:encephalitis
272:
253:
232:Ted A. Wells
224:
211:Walter Beech
204:
171:
162:Walter Beech
153:
152:
89:(1993-07-06)
87:July 6, 1993
29:
1105:1993 deaths
1100:1903 births
833:January 15,
765:January 25,
299:T-34 Mentor
103:Nationality
1130:Beechcraft
1084:Categories
966:October 2,
926:October 7,
906:October 2,
882:October 2,
256:Twin Beech
201:Travel Air
116:Beechcraft
64:1903-09-25
780:Jetpack.
384:in 1986.
343:Bill Lear
1062:Aviation
1050:Business
365:Raytheon
106:American
1036:Portals
983:June 8,
787:May 31,
603:May 14,
436:at the
347:Learjet
95:Wichita
72:Waverly
1074:Kansas
943:
862:May 4,
809:
626:
458:Walter
445:Walter
407:Legacy
351:Forbes
339:Gemini
333:, and
196:Career
146:(1981)
139:(1980)
132:Awards
122:Spouse
78:, U.S.
76:Kansas
464:Notes
985:2013
968:2014
941:ISBN
928:2014
908:2014
884:2014
864:2015
835:2024
807:ISBN
789:2024
767:2023
624:ISBN
605:2020
319:NASA
279:US$
84:Died
54:Born
1027:at
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958:.
918:.
894:.
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854:.
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62:(
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
