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.

Late in 1945 the trio set in motion a plan to expand the business, changing its name from Bonanza Air Services to Bonanza Air Lines (BAL) and incorporating the company. The home base was moved to Alamo Field, now known as McCarran International Airport, in early 1946. As the operation grew, additional aircraft were acquired including two single-engine Piper Cubs and three military surplus twin-engine Cessna T-50 Bobcats for the charter services. In addition, a Stearman biplane was acquired for the new flight school division. BAL’s new routes and services required the addition of still more aircraft and personnel. McCarran Field, formerly Alamo Field, did not have enough hanger space to accommodate the newly acquired fleet, so Bonanza purchased a surplus military hanger at Reno, then dismantled and transported it to McCarran Field.

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