Company On Track To Double 2004 Deliveries

Mooney Aircraft announced last week it will deliver its 11,000th Mooney production aircraft during the first quarter of 2006 -- just in time for the company's 60th anniversary. With 2005 sales tracking better than double those of 2004, the company also announced a new interior package for its planes to commemorate the anniversary, a better way to hold a POH, and a program allowing veterans to earn their A&P on Uncle Sam.

As of today, the company has produced 66 aircraft for 2005, with one quarter to go -- beating last year's number of deliveries of 34.

The Mooney Airplane Company -- formed in Wichita, KS in 1946 -- produced its first M-18 "Mooney Mite" two years later. The 11,000th aircraft, a Garmin G1000-equipped Ovation 2 GX, will go to a customer in New Jersey.

"Of course, surpassing this milestone is important to us as a company. We are gratified that the customer for this aircraft chose it after evaluating several competitive models. But, reaching such a significant milestone can’t be accomplished without a loyal base of customers who feel a sense of satisfaction and support that they willingly pass on to other potential buyers," said Mooney's VP of Sales And Marketing, David Copeland.

"We appreciate their loyalty and commitment to Mooney and we will continue to do everything we can to ensure it," he added.

All 60th-anniversary Mooney aircraft will feature redesigned door handles, armrests, and optional rear bench seat. The new interior will also include a new center console, repackaged air vents, and new color treatments, in addition to several other interior mods designed for enhanced convenience. The interior, displayed at last week's AOPA Expo 2005, will also be displayed at the 2005 NBAA Convention in Orlando, FL.

Also making news at Mooney is the advent of external "jump drives" to hold the entire POH and other Mooney service manuals. The small, portable storage devices (we use a bunch of them at ANN) were introduced at last week's AOPA Expo in Tampa, FL, and will also be featured at the 2005 NBAA Convention in Orlando from November 9-11.

Each drive, at a suggested retail price of $250, will also provide internal links and cross-references between various documents.

"This program is revolutionary," said Al Nitchman, VP of customer support. "It provides our existing customers with easy access to key information at a reduced price, and it also has great potential as a means of expanding communications between Mooney and the entire active fleet in a readily available, highly portable, and economic manner."

Mooney plans to make jump drives containing Model M20 R Ovation information available in January, 2006, including material on the new Ovation2 GX models equipped with the Garmin G1000 avionics suite. An update to the M20 M Bravo material including the GX version will follow by mid-year. Drives featuring POHs, IPCs and Service and Maintenance manuals for the remainder of the existing fleet are expected by the end of 2006.

Mooney also announced a new program allowing qualified veterans enrolled in its Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Apprentice program to utilize On The Job training funds, provided by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, to cover the entire cost of the three-year factory-administered program, leading up to the FAA Certification Test.
 
"Mooney is pleased to offer this training to our employees and we’re gratified that the Department of Veterans Affairs has approved it for funding," said Hank Engel, Mooney Airplane Company’s Director of Human Resources. "This recognition represents a ‘win-win’ situation for us. It will help us meet a growing need for certified A&P mechanics in the production and service segments of our business and will undoubtedly stimulate qualifying veterans to enroll in the course, as well."

Engel added the program will come online at a time when, in the face of increasing demand for its aircraft, the company will need an expanded pool of capable technicians.

FMI: www.mooney.com