Groundbreaking Solution for Bonanza Ruddervator Crisis Earns $500K Prize
The American Bonanza Society Air Safety Foundation bestowed its esteemed $528,110 ASF Manuel Maciel Ruddervator Prize to SRS Aviation of Burnsville, Minnesota at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 event. The award was in recognition of the company’s successful development of replacement magnesium skins for V-tail Bonanza ruddervators, thereby resolving a critical parts shortage that had been grounding aircraft.
Over a span of three years, SRS Aviation dedicated its resources to researching magnesium production techniques to create the complex replacement parts. The company now proudly offers ruddervator kits for $7,150 and exchange units for $9,650, with full FAA parts manufacturer approval for skin replacement and complete ruddervator rebuilding.
“Working with magnesium isn’t easy,” said David Laurin, president of SRS Aviation. “The first die we tried cost us $49,000 and we scrapped it.”
Their achievement has restored confidence in over 5,000 registered V-tail Bonanzas worldwide. The unique balance requirements of these control surfaces previously could not be met with aluminum replacements.
Source: General Aviation News