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[[stamped]] FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE [[/stamped]]

ALLAN F. BONNALIE
Pioneer West Coast Aviator - Aviation Executive

Allan F. Bonnalie was born in Denver, Colorado, September 29, 1893. Later his parents moved to San Francisco where he completed his schooling.

During this period Bonnalie became interested in the new science of flight and while in High School became a member of the newly formed Polytechnic High School Aero Club. It consisted of about ten members, and together they built a biplane glider having a Farman-type box tail, undercarriage, ailerons and elevator, but no rudder. Control surfaces were not totally effective, so shifting of the operator's body was also necessary in flight.

When completed the Club glider was taken to the Twin Peaks vicinity of San Francisco where a suitable hill was available for flying experiments. There Bonnalie made his first flight on November 1st, 1911. The glider, which was larger and heavier than the usual biplane glider of that era, required launching with rope assist by the club members, and a wind of about 15 MPH was necessary to become airbourne [[airborne]]. During their experiments the Club members frequently made flights up to one minute duration. The majority of flying was done on week ends and the glider usually suffered enough damage on the first day so that necessary repairs took evenings of work during the week to get it ready for the following Saturday.

As a result of their glider experience the Club decided to attempt to

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