In 1915, Toronto architect Ernest Dickens Bonisteel designed and built an aircraft at his home on 15 Close Avenue. He was assisted by two friends, Stanley H. Anderson and Leonard Fenwick, in this ambitious project to create a functional airplane.
Design and Specifications
The aircraft, simply named the Bonisteel Monoplane, was a wooden two-seater, strut-braced mid-wing monoplane. It was powered by a 55 hp Viale five-cylinder air-cooled engine, driving a two-bladed propeller. This design reflected the innovative spirit of early 20th-century aviation.
Attempted Flight and Disassembly
In October 1915, the monoplane was transported to Lake Ontario for its anticipated flight tests. However, persistent bad weather conditions unfortunately prevented the machine from ever taking to the air. In January 1916, the monoplane was returned to Toronto, where it was subsequently disassembled. Its components were then transferred to the Toronto Aero Club, marking the end of its brief existence.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Monoplane |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Viale |
| Power, hp | 1 x 55 |
| Crew, crew | 2 |
Image and diagram gallery of the Bonisteel Monoplane
 Monoplane |
 Monoplane |
 Monoplane |