chinoguym20

All good points regarding the poor attitude of the Mooney marketing. However, what’s the point of marketing an old design, manufactured using old processes that costs more to manufacture than you can sell it for and still make a profit to keep the lights on? The factory closed due to that, not marketing.

@pinkiedog64 you hit the nail on the head and I agree with you. @MooneyMitch I also agree with you to a certain extent regarding the younger talent at the companies you mention. However, those companies (like Cirrus I guess) manufacture using more modern and well tooled processes. At Mooney, alot is dependent on the hourly worker who needs to have the more traditional and old school skills where you measure twice and cut/drill once. Lastly, I don’t think Marketing is to blame for the repeated failures of Mooney, it’s simply that the M20 can not be manufactured for a cost low enough to allow for dealer commissions and a reasonable profit margin. You would have to sell it for $900K + to cover costs.

I’m not sure the inability to manufacture at a reasonable labor cost, coupled with materials cost and overhead allows it to be sold (through a dealer who probably takes 10-20%) for a reasonable profit Is age related. In fact, I think they could do more with the right senior people, than some of the younger people in this day and age. It’s more to do with the fact it is an old design, manufactured using traditional methods (maybe with the exception of some CNC machining where manual used to be used) and reliant on the skills and experience of reliable hourly workers. I’m told the workforce remaining is just a few hourly and over a dozen overhead. Like everyone, I’m hoping to see a survival plan for Mooney, but don’t see it involving the M20 as we know and love it. Maybe the M10 could make it (@blueontop?) or some other aircraft by acquisition?

Ref the guy who went to OSH to buy a new Mooney. What if the Chinese plan was NOT to sell many Mooneys in the USA but only keep the name alive while they made plans to manufacture in China (where labor is cheap)? I suspect Mooney has not made money for years (evident by each failure and change of ownership). Anyone know how much labor materials and overhead costs were in a new Mooney? I bet they took a 6 figure loss on each sale so the more sold = the more in the hole they were.

All good information. I had heard that the manufacturing process at Kerrville was highly dependent on people skills and knowledge v tooling and low skilled workers. Is/was that the case @blueontop? Are any of those skills still there since the cuts?

This is great news and sounds like Mooney is coming back to life. I wonder if they will bring the M10 (Chino) back to life? That was carbon. I hear it is now based in Kerrville, but not sure if it’s still flying.

Good news! A friend of mine at the KERV airport called tonight to report Mooney had launched 33-0019 (an acclaim?). He said this was one of the aircraft which was almost complete when the factory closed. He said there are about a dozen people in the facility, but not sure what the plan is. Let’s hope there is a buyer in town and Mooney can make it.

I think this announcement was made in June 2019. https://www.daher.com/en/daher-announces-its-acquisition-of-quest-aircraft-company-becoming-a-franco-american-aircraft-manufacturer/ Still, it would be great to see Mooney rise again in the TBM family.

Just a little update. I spoke to a credible source yesterday and the factory is still closed down with regard to manufacturing parts, aircraft and servicing aircraft but there are a dozen or so staff in there who are selling anything on the shelf. The Chinese ownership is not onsite and is trying to sell the business and save face for this tremendous loss of their investment in Kerrville TX Chino CA and the massive campus in China (which has a simulated M20 assembly line). They didn’t say what’s next but think there are some people interested in acquiring the ability to make and sell parts. The big problem is that Mooney wasn’t able to make a profit doing that either so hopefully there is a bigger plan. They don’t think there will be any more M20s being produced. will update if I hear more THANKYOU MSers

Just heard from a friend that he received a pink slip from Mooney HR along with everyone else he knew of who had not been recalled last week. He thinks there are about 10 people left in the factory. More to follow. This sucks and it’s not the way a business should treat there employees and customers by not being upfront with them. if anyone is listening. Can you issue a press release or something?

Yes it would. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed for some indication of a plan soon. If anyone who has influence at the factory, or with the ownership is listening? Please issue a press release or put something up on a post. Not knowing the full scenario causes frustration and rumor. Now is the time to do something to at least temper it if not control it for Mooney’s benefit. I do know a handful of people have been in the factory this week so something is happening there. I hope it’s in preparation for someone new to come in and not to wind it down and tie up loose ends.

Some positive developments at the factory this week. Several cars in the parking lot and several employees have been recalled. No aircraft production or service going on, but working on something. Let’s hope there is a plan to do something profitable and create jobs for the Kerrville community.

I’ve been reluctant to post due to the unprofessional and immature responses by a few MS’ers who let our community down, but thought I would share this. I am 100% certain that Mooney as we knew it is dead, but maybe this is a glimmer of hope for the good people of Kerrville. A new business could be coming to Kerrville, bringing roughly 200 new jobs with it. During the economic improvement corporation's meeting on Monday, Kerr Economic Development Corporation Chief Operating Officer Gil Salinas presented a plan named Sky Master, a project that involves an aeronautic and robotics business potentially coming to Kerrville.

You have no idea what went on within those walls, so I suggest you listen, rather than talk. You obviously think you know, but don’t. Mooney is dead, the spares business is not sustainable. Let’s all move on.

Unfortunately I hear the lights are out for good this time. The Chinese incinerated a lot of money and treated the employees like dumb Americans. There is a Mooney factory in China with a fake assembly line that has sat almost empty for years maybe they will start building there.

I love the optimism for Mooney Airplanes but is it realistic that the company can be revived after so many owners-investors have failed over the last several decades to do this. Maybe b.o.t can elaborate but isn’t it the case that the M20 can not be sold at a profit. Also isn’t it the case that the market isn’t there either. Factory is open. Lights are on. Where’s the $ coming from to pay the bills and where’s the plan.

Ive read several optimistic posts and articles in the (fake) news. But someone i met in CA yesterday said that after the late August layoff (which was not posted) and the early November furlough of the remaining 50+ employees not all returned and since the reopening several have quit. It’s unlikely the skills remain to produce aircraft service aircraft and maybe make certain parts. I hope they do find someone to buy into this facility but fear it won’t be to build or support Mooneys! Anyone heard anything?

I heard a few employees went in (without pay!) to see if they could fulfill some spares orders from off the shelves. The $ taken will pay for their insurance to continue for a few weeks. No new parts are being made or bought so get them while you can. What a terrible thing to put these people through at this time of year after all they have done. And still no WARN or formal notice from the company owner or management.

PS. I hope the business plan includes the M10 we worked so hard on that Kerrville didn’t want. Out of the 70+ people at Chino, only a few relocated to Kerrville and were never accepted there.

I agree and feel bad for the employees who have been through this before and those going through it again, or for the first time. Out of the 50-60 people who were furloughed on 11/8 there were only a handful of mechanics who could support a service depot and not many would relocate. The rest were manufacturing and support staff. There was a lot of overhead there. I doubt it will reopen this year and if it ever does, they won’t be building new aircraft. There needs to be a realistic and profitable business plan.

On Friday November 8 they furloughed everyone (not a sole to remain. I think there were only around 60 employees left anyway as there was also a large lay-off back in August that was not publicized). On Friday November 15 they issued a notice that the furlough will continue and do not return to the factory as you will be turned away by security. MElliot May know more?

Back on task. A notice was issued last night that the company will remain closed and all employees are not to return on monday 18

A notice was issued last night that the company will remain closed and all employees are not to return on monday 18

Anyone know what’s going on?