231flyer

Peevee, In most business you don't get paid till you deliver your product. Ask Boeing (787) or Airbus (380) about their financial woes due to delivery issues. Cirrus is trying to get beyond the 60 SF50 jets a year rate.....basically they are still delivering one jet a week. The V2 upgrade is to get RVSM altitudes, Auto throttles, and slightly faster speeds. Btw Alan's contract as Chairman was not renewed in 2009(so sent packing). Dale was ceremonial CEO/President/Consultant/Advisor/Nutured starting 2011(google to learn of his trials). Alan announced major economic difficulties in 2008 and furloughed over 200 employees. The Cirrus story has almost as many twists and turns as Mooney. Its difficult building an aircraft company. Eclipse spent $1.3B built 256 jets and has gone bankrupt yet again (Alan). Three of four VLJ manufacturers (Eclipse, Piper, Diamond) had to abandon their jets. Cirrus took a major hit and delay getting the SF50 to market. Cirrus could not make it as a standalone company thus the sale to the Chinese Government! Their model is as flawed as the others.....they just happen to have a sugardaddy now!

Both Cirrus and Mooney are Chinese owned companies. Cirrus is owned by AVIC-CAIGA a Chinese SOE (State Owned Enterprise) and Mooney by Henan Meijing Group (primarily Real estate and construction). Cirrus had its share of "near-death" encounters till it was bought by the Chinese Government and the Klapmeiers sent packing. The Chinese gov't needed to infuse generous sums of money to bail out the company and the SF50 Visionjet program. Their business model is far from profitable (see Diamond Aircraft for indicative financials including the DiamondJet saga). Fortunately Cirrus is owned by the Chinese state and have ready access to "stay alive" or "zombie" capital. The real estate market in China is in distress and defaults amongst large Property/Construction firms commonplace. Its just a matter of time before HMG can no longer continue to support Mooney. I assume HMG started trying to unload Mooney right after they unloaded Vivek Saxena (CEO). The future does not look promising despite our zealous affection for the brand. As Richard Branson says; "the way to make a small fortune in aviation is to start with a really big one"

https://mooneyspace.com/topic/23720-hurricane-irma/?do=findComment&comment=378278

Relief efforts for the devastated gulf coast have begun and pilots and their aircraft are again needed. Please consider supporting the efforts of the following fine organizations…...I have personal experience volunteering with both during Harvey and Irma relief. www.aerobridge.org www.operation-airdrop.com Thanks Deepak

Agree the 252 is better/easier than the 231. Current market : 231 ~$90k, 252 ~$130k, 231 Rocket ~$150k, Bravo ~$190k, Acclaim ~$450k, Ovation Ultra ~$720k We should expect to get more and better a/c for more money! A reasonable C model can still be acquired for ~$50k Managing the 231 is not difficult, just takes a light touch and extra vigilance on the MP......good habits to develop regardless of a/c.

I bought my 231 before I had even completed my private ticket (aprox 30 hrs into training) in 1992. I finished my instrument training in my 231 and still own the aircraft. The 231 does have some quirks but is a great instrument platform and inspires confidence in the way it flies. I would absolutely recommend it as your first aircraft...….just make sure you get extensive competent professional training. I am in the process of updating the avionics and passing it on to my 18yr old daughter …….. her first aircraft and instrument trainer.

Thanks Jetdriven....I should have mentioned Operation Airdrop too....great bunch of guys based at my homebase and I signed up with them too. I am very proud of our flying fraternity in this hour of need. I remember feeling helpless during Katrina and being refused permission to land in NOLA. We tried to get both our TX Senators involved but to no avail. Pilots and their planes made a BIG difference in TX and I hope we do the same in FL.

Aerobridge.org is trying to get aircraft positioned to help with relief efforts once the storm passes. Please sign up! This 231 made multiple trips to Beaumont (KBPT) and Orange TX (KORG) delivering relief supplies. Her bigger sister (Malibu Mirage) made multiple rescue trips to the Houston area. Btw. its always amazing to me how much stuff can fit into our a/c......a pallet full in this case! Fly safe and GODSPEED

Wanted for purchase a serviceable right flap for my Mooney 231. Part num 240014-510 (same as the 201).

My wife, an attorney, advises me CBP is typically within its authorizations in many of these cases. The laws on illegal search and seizure tends to favor law enforcement agencies and legal action can be lengthy and expensive. There is no law requiring CBP to be courteous and some agents do stretch the power they are given. Hopefully this a minority and smooths out over time. My dealings with the CBP and FAA thus far has been quite professional. I often fly internationally (both airline and private) and have been ramp checked by the FAA over a half dozen times in my 23 years as a pilot. CBP has a program called "Global Entry" that allows frequent travelers to sail through immigration and customs by completing a rigorous background check and registration. The FBI conducts the investigation and you get to use the automated entry kiosks on your return stateside. Its an absolute intrusion of privacy but I do get to skip the hour+ long lines at DFW,JFK,MIA etc.. A side benefit of the trusted traveler program is the aforementioned CBP "ramp checks". Eg. on our arrival back from the Bahamas into FtPierce, the CBP officer cleared our family in less than 5 minutes and told me I had been pre-cleared due to my global-entry registration. It seems the eAPIS program is linked and the inbound manifest flags a trusted traveler. Global-Entry is too intrusive for some but an option and seems to help with CBP ramp checks.

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-aircraft-searches-20140415,0,7828658.story#ixzz2zEzu16Oq

Glad you are ok and made a successful emergency landing. My 231 has an AirWolf Oil Separator that is connected to the vac on the outflow side. Many years ago my vac shaft sheared off (seems this only occurs in IMC) and I too had to declare an emergency and land in Paducah KY. The loss of vac resulted in the oil separator blowing oil/smoke into the cabin and also caused considerable engine roughness. I remember thinking I was going to lose the engine once I had opened the vents and cleared the smoke. It turned out to be a simple vac failure (right at 500 hrs TT) and the local mechanic had a replacement in stock. The engine test ran smoothly after the replacement and he thought the rough engine was caused by the loss of pressure to the oil separator. Anyways the fix worked and I was able to continue on from Dayton to Corpus Christi. Obviously I don't have all the details, your two issues might be unrelated but co-incident. Btw Sal's Aircraft Cylinder service in Prosper (214) 630-7880 does great work and I had my TSIO 360LB topped in 2007. All cylinders still hold 76" or better.

File a claim in small-claims court if your damages are below $10,000 (applies to most states). Posting on Airnav, BBB, etc helps but you are still out the repair costs. If the FBO is negligent and unresponsive you will win a default judgement and will be able to place a lien on them. Absolutely no reason why you should suffer the consequences of their neglect. Document everything!!!!!!

Latest Requirements at: http://www.aopa.org/Flight-Planning/Mexico.aspx Pilot-in-Command The pilot in command must have a current: Passport Pilot certificate with an English proficient endorsement Medical certificate Restricted radiotelephone operators permit Note: Student pilots are not permitted to make international flights. Passengers Each passenger must have a current passport. Tourist visas are required and may be obtained at the first airport of entry. Children traveling with only one parent must have a notarized statement of approval from the absent parent stating the dates of the trip. Aircraft All U.S. registered aircraft must have: A standard airworthiness certificate A permanent registration certificate (no temporary certificates/pink slips) A radio station license Operating limitations information Weight and balance information Transponder with Mode C Two-way radio equipment If the aircraft is registered in another person’s or corporation’s name, AOPA recommends that you have a notarized letter authorizing use of the aircraft for flights in Mexico. An ID data plate 12-inch registration marks are required for crossing the ADIZ into Mexico. Aircraft with fuel tanks installed in the baggage or passenger compartments must have Form 337 on board. Regarding experimental aircraft: Unless the aircraft has been prohibited from making an international flight to Mexico by the FAA, the aircraft is welcome to Mexico provided that the pilot abides by the limitations applied by the FAA in its operating limitations. The Mexican government has recently postponed the requirement for 406 MHz ELTs. Pilots with aircraft used exclusively for private flights now have until June 30, 2013, to replace their 121.5-MHz ELT with a 406-MHz model or until their existing 121.5-MHz ELT needs to be replaced, whichever comes first. See the blue box at the top of the page for more complete information. Deferred till 2015."""""" Insurance Verify that Mexico is included in your policy’s territory. Check that your policy has liability limits of at least $300,000. Carry your aircraft insurance policy in the aircraft. Present your insurance policy for validation upon arrival in Mexico. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires An annual user fee decal ($27.50) – allow a few weeks for delivery. CPB encourages all applicants to use the online renewal process, which is fast, secure, and accurate. Pre-printed paper applications will be mailed only by request - not automatically sent as in previous years. To request a pre-printed paper renewal application, call the User Fee Help Desk at 317/298-1245, option 3; or email decals@dhs.gov. eAPIS CBP’s Electronic Advance Passenger Information System. For your return trip back to the U.S., plan to land at the first airport of entry after crossing the U.S. border to clear customs.

Congratulations! Sounds like a fun wedding and honeymoon. No specific HF requirement to make the crossing but you will be out of Houston Oceanic coverage for about 30-40 minutes till Merida picks you up. Usual reporting point from Houston area is KEHLI intersection.....I assume you will report at IRDOV coming in from KNEW. Lots of airline traffic in the area so you won't be lonely but open waters for 2 hrs + so hope you are comfortable with that and have all the requisite emergency equipment including a raft. AOPA has excellent and current info on the requirements, my last flight into Mexico was a couple of years ago. They are not very GA friendly anymore and you WILL pay lots of expensive fees. I assume you have researched the document requirements for entry into Mexico and also your all important marriage license. Be sure to get your Radio License, Insurance endorsed for Mexico, and make arrangements for the blood tests etc. The hotel concierge should be able to handle all your marriage related requirements while the FBO at MMUN will handle all your A/C requirements (for a friendly fee ofcourse). Best to pre-arrange everything. My wife and I got married in Cancun in 1995 and flew to Yellowstone for our honeymoon. CONGRATULATIONS again and Godspeed.

Duats comes in two flavors (CSC and DTC) duats.com and duat.com. Similar but slightly different. They work great but kind of the old way of doing things. https://www.lmfsweb.afss.com/ is the latest from Lockheed, the friendly folks who now provide our 1-800-WXBrief services. Try it.....exactly the same stuff as used by a live briefer......in many ways more comprehensive than foreflight.

I would get the WAAS upgrade right now. According to the folk at ASTM we should be able to start flying with the Dynon type non-TSO panels in our Mooneys by the end of next year. The Part 23 ARC is law now and ASTM (F44 committee) is developing the standards and regulations to put that into effect. I expect to install the Dynon Skyview panel (same as my Lancair IVP) in my 231 around Xmas next year. You will need the 430 to be IFR compliant, the Dynon suite should get you everything else including ADS compliance for around $15K.

Confirmed at AOPA Summit here at Ft.Worth. The ASTM International rep confirmed their F44 committee is charged with developing the new standards and regulations to implement the Part 23 ARC. They expect the new standards/regs to be completed and approved by q3 2014. OEMs should have conforming products in 2015.

Business and General Aviation – China as an Investor and Manufacturer (AviationWeek) AgustaWestland – Joint venture established with Changhe Aircraft Industry in 2005 to assemble AW109 light-twin helicopter in Jingdezhen (as CA109). Brantly – Acquired by Qingdao Haili Helicopters in 2007; B2B light-piston helicopter production moved to Qingdao; unmanned version developed. Caiga – Designs acquired in 2010 from bankrupt U.S. kitplane-maker Epic Air by Avic’s China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (Caiga) form the basis of Primus turboprop and Starlight turbofan business aircraft. Cessna – Skycatcher light-sport aircraft is built by AAT in Shenyang; Caravan is to be assembled in Shijiazhuang under joint venture with Caiga; negotiating with Caiga to assemble Citation XLS+ business jet in Zhuhai, and with ATT to assemble Citation Sovereign in Chengdu. Cirrus – U.S. light-aircraft manufacturer was acquired by Caiga in 2011; Caiga South China Aircraft Industry assembles Cirrus SR20/22 in Zhuhai. Continental/Theilert – Continental Motors was acquired from Teledyne by Avic (Technify Motors) in 2010; Theilert Aircraft Engines was acquired by Avic in July 2013 and merged with Continental. Diamond – Shandong Bin Ao Aircraft Industries assembles DA40 TDI light-twin for China and selected Asian countries. Embraer – Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry, a joint venture with Avic, has begun assembly of Legacy 650 business jets in Harbin; first delivery end of 2013. Enstrom – U.S. light-helicopter manufacturer was acquired by Chongqing Helicopter Investment in December 2012. Eurocopter – Co-development of the Eurocopter EC175 and Avicopter AC532 medium-twin helicopters was launched in 2005. Harbin Aircraft Industry supplies airframes for the EC175 and builds light EC120 as HC-120. Flight Design – German light aircraft (CTLS and C4) to be produced in China beginning in 2015 under a deal with Taiwan’s Aero Jones. Icon – U.S. light-sport seaplane manufacturer’s June 2013 equity financing round was led by a Chinese strategic private investor; airframes are to be supplied by Caiga-owned Cirrus. Pilatus – Agreement signed with Beijing Tian Xing Yu Science in July 2013 to assemble PC-6 utility and PC-12 business turboprops in Chongqing. Sikorsky – Changhe Aircraft supplied S-76C helicopter airframes under agreement signed in 2007; new deal signed in September 2013 to supply S-76D airframes. Superior Air Parts – U.S. piston-aeroengine aftermarket parts manufacturer was sold to Superior Aviation Beijing in 2008, and combined with Brantly in 2011. Yuneec – Jiangsu-based Yuneec International manufacturers of the e430 electric-powered light-sport aircraft marketed by U.S.-based subsidiary GreenWing International.

Chinese aerospace companies are looking for technology (AVIC aquisition of Cirrus(composites/drones) and Continental (diesel engines/material science)) or a ready customer base. Mooney offers neither, the technology originated in the 60s, and Mooney was selling less than 10 frames a year when they ceased manufacturing in 2008. Lets face it, Mooney had been part of the walking dead long before it ceased operations. Btw the Chinese did not emerge as buyers for Eclipse Aerospace and their $1.3B stir-welded twin jet when they went under in 2008. Mooney has brand value and a small parts business (< $10M/yr). Meijin is buying Mooney for the brand, they will put up with the parts business as long as it is self sustaining. I just don't see them investing the hundreds of millions required to develop a new airframe. Piper halted development of the Piperjet after spending $110M, Eclipse spent $1.3B and built 262 jets before folding, Diamondjet is looking for $150M to continue development after spending $100M . Beachcraft just halted production of their entire line of jets and are looking for a buyer. The airframe business is scattered with skeletons because the demand does not exist. GA is in decline

Every business has to ultimately earn its keep. The Mooney parts business is inherently profitable given the installed base of 7-8000 active aircraft. Since 2009 the parts business has been used to additionally sustain the type certificate, manufacturing facilities, and other corporate obligations (tax, regulatory filings, insurance, etc.). Clearly once these extraneous encumbrances are removed the parts business can stand on its own. Since parts demand is relatively inelastic, don't expect any price concessions. Boeing Commercial makes most of its profits on the parts and MRO business, their new planes sell at an economic loss (before accounting trickery). Its the razor and blade model for most airframe manufacturers. I am quite confident the Mooney parts business will remain viable but probably end up outsourced to someone like Aviall (incidentally owned by Boeing). Piper outsourced their parts business to Aviall the last time they went into bankruptcy. I doubt lead times change much although Aviall does a fantastic job for my Malibu Mirage. I can pop down to their distribution center 10 minutes from my house and pickup any part. They run a professional parts business unlike the shoe-string business at Mooney.

China is a large developing country who traded their environment for fast development. The 30 year old one child policy will leave them old before they get rich. That said they have moved 400 million people out of poverty and are on course to move another 200 million out of poverty this decade. I don't know how their politics evolves but 400 million educated middle class won't put up with corrupt communist politics for long. Our democratic system is messy and ugly but still the best system out there. Now if can only get our gov't back to work

Dave, I think the parts business is relatively safe. In facts its the only part of Mooney with tangible value. Even if Meijin fails the parts business will be hived off to Aviall much like Piper A/C. Mooney hung on to the parts business to provide a cashflow stream and keep the type/production certificate current. I do agree the vision looks more like a pipe dream. The vision for Dubai looked equally outrageous and yet they built it......unfortunately people did not come and the bubble burst. China has many ghost cities where developers built way ahead of demand. They even built a replica of Paris right outside Shanghai......looks great but sits empty. Mooney World probably not as magical as Disney World! Btw I am an optimist. I would take our manufacturing base over any other country in the world especially China. Although we have exported a lot of the "trinkets and trash" manufacturing we are still the high tech, high value manufacturing leader in the world. Although we are not as dominant as in the 90s we still lead the world by a mile. Remember when the Japanese were going to clean our clocks in the 80s.....they didn't and the Chinese won't.

Reprinted from Asoc: List of recent aerospace transactions; Cirrus Aircraft - Government of the Peoples Republic of China Continental Engines - Government of the Peoples Republic of China Enstrom Helicopter Corporation - Chongqing Helicopter Investment Co, China Epic Aircraft - Engineering LLC, Russia Flightstar Sportplanes - rights, tooling and parts inventory purchased by Yuneec International, China Glasair Aircraft - Jilin Hanxing Group, China International Lease Finance Corp - 90% New China Trust Co Ltd, New China Life Insurance Co Ltd, P3 Investments Ltd and China Aviation Industrial Fund Liberty Aerospace - 75% owned by the Kuwait Finance House, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuwait Finance House of Bahrain LISA Airplanes - 75% owned by Heima Mining Company, China Mooney Aviation Company - Meijing Group, China Piper Aircraft - Government of Brunei Superior Air Parts - Weifang Tianxiang Technology Group, China Thielert Aircraft Engines - Government of the Peoples Republic of China

My friend is a big supplier to GNC and Herbalife. A bunch of pills "Made in USA" actually contain precursors made in China. Almost half of his volume of chemicals is sourced in China.....their prices are hard to beat. The Chevy truck built with pride here in Texas contains 65% of its components made in Mexico, China, Japan etc. The iPhone built in China is actually assembled in China. Less than $10 of value add in China mainly in the form of labor. Almost all of the components are shipped in from Korea (displays & motherboards), Taiwan (Memory), and Japan (housing & CPU). You really can't judge the book by its cover.