Mooney sold to Chinese

[201er]

Maybe the Chinese will have Mooney add two doors to the new planes like they should have done in the first place as only Socata, Diamond and Cirrus got it right in terms of ergonomics and passenger loading.

What are you talking about? Mooney's already got two doors! Exit row passengers can board through the rear cabin entrance.

[KSMooniac]

Extra space and extra doors are enemies of efficiency.... doors are heavy, and bigger cabins are both heavier and draggier...  Everything about aircraft design is a compromise.

[fantom]

What are you talking about? Mooney's already got two doors! Exit row passengers can board through the rear cabin entrance.

 

Easy to say for someone with such small passengers....

[yvesg]

Ok folks, enough about birds, here are Phoenix and Snooky, the two flying beagles.

Yves

[benpilot]

Well if Mooney updated the 201 to compete with Cirrus SR20 and Diamond that would be awesome!

[Parker_Woodruff]

Well if Mooney updated the 201 to compete with Cirrus SR20 and Diamond that would be awesome!

It's already a superior airframe to both in many respects.

[Parker_Woodruff]

Well if Mooney updated the 201 to compete with Cirrus SR20 and Diamond that would be awesome!

It's already a superior airframe to both in many respects.

[RJBrown]

Mooney is a way superior airframe.

 But:

The lack of a second door is a "perceived" issue. In the real world it makes little difference. On the sales room floor it may make a significant difference. As such the Mooney needs redesigned for that door. Al WAS being cheap, cheap flying WAS what it was all about. Today there is no such thing as cheap flying. A plane must look and feel luxurious enough to cost the $600,000 plus that they bring. 

 Most of the "problems" with the sale of new Mooneys are like a car "needing" 4 wheel disc brakes. In every way rear drum brakes are a "better" solution on almost every car. They work every bit as well, cost less initially and at repair time and last 2,3 and sometimes 4 times longer. BUT every one thinks 4 wheel disc is the way to go so every car gets them.

To leave the showroom Mooney "needs" a second door and a first rate interior. Gimmicks like a Cirrus parachute may need to be available.

[benpilot]

RJ,

I know how two doors matter little to veteran pilots but look at who buys new aircraft today wealthy consumers who tend to be low time pilots with money to spend. Cirrus marketing gets this and sells carlike interiors with luxury appointment like that found in a new Mercedes or BMW. That's why they've captured market share. I'd take a Mooney Acclaim S over a new Cirrus SR22 any day but many newbies get oohs and has over the double gull wing doors and nice fancy interiors.

[ghovey]

I would love to have two doors on my Mooney. On occasion I have flown with people in the right seat who are less than agile and I have to get in the airplane first and then talk them in. On two occasions I have had to climb across the passenger. This is not a good sales pitch.

Again, this is a tough business and it takes a great product to sell at these price levels.

[fantom]

The two door option has come up at factory tours repeatedly with the answer being it would destroy the integrity of the wonderful tubular cockpit structure that keeps us protected if we do something real stupid. The old Mod Works also looked long and hard at developing a very expensive two door option but gave up on it. Stay nimble, guys

[BillC]

Yves,

Love the dogs!!

[benpilot]

Agree that's why I do yoga and lift weights.