Mooney International Press Conference at Sun N Fun

[LANCECASPER]

At 5:30 p.m. today, Friday April 4, 2014, Mooney held a Press Conference in a Special Events Tent at Sun N Fun. Dr. Jerry Chen introduced his management team, Tom Bowen - Chief Operating Officer, Barry Hodkin - Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Neil Pfeiffer - Chief Technical Officer, and Chad Nelson - Chief Manufacturing Officer.

 

Each member of the press and anyone else that they allowed in the tent was given a Press Kit and a Commemorative Mooney Coin.

 

Dr. Chen said that the three top priorities at Mooney were always (1) Speed, (2) Speed and (3) Speed. Now they will be (1) Safety (2) Speed and (3) Style. An Auction is planned for the first Acclaim S off of the Assembly Line, where the proceeds will go to start a Mooney Museum.

 

In a question and answer session Dr. Chen confirmed that there is over $50 million in backing for Mooney International and that $1 million has already been invested in the factory. When asked if ever there would be a lower priced legacy model again produced - the response was that they are keeping all possibilities open.

 

[mooneygirl]

I am very happy that Mooney has a commitment to honoring the legacy of the airplane.  The museum will be a wonderful addition to the factory.  Wouldn't it be cool to get the first airplane off the line?

[DonMuncy]

Get your bid in early Jolie.

[201er]

Thanks for keeping us posted.

 

Dr. Chen said that the three top priorities at Mooney were always (1) Speed, (2) Speed and (3) Speed. Now they will be (1) Safety (2) Speed and (3) Style.

 

I don't think Mooney had any trouble maintaining safety and style with the old priorities! A steel roll cage, one piece wing spar, cool looking windows, etc... What's a Mooney if it isn't speed speed speed?

[Hank]

Mooney was originally built upon the premises of speed, efficiency and safety. Only in "modern" times has it become "speed, speed, speed" and engine size and fuel flow tell the story. "200 mph on 200 hp" became "200 knots on 280 hp" or 15% more speed and >50% more fuel, to say nothing of additional cubic inches to burn all of that extra fuel.

[Piloto]

I just looked at the options because I can not afford the plane.

 

Wow!!! $1,500 for the "seventh hole in seat track". Is that per hole?

 

$1,000 for the "3" pedal extension". I can get a pillow for $20 that will do the job.

 

I didn't see an option for the "Relief Tube". But maybe the chinese use something different during their trip from Kerrville to China. Oh yes here it is "Bed Pan Option" $2,800/seat. Just lift the seat cushion. "Privacy blanket with Mooney Logo" $1,000. First roll of paper is free.

 

José

[BigTex]

$16.5K for an ADF???  Why would they even put ADF's on the option list?

[Piloto]

$16.5K for an ADF???  Why would they even put ADF's on the option list?

Not all countries have GPS approaches but NDB, VOR or ILS.

 

José

[BigTex]

Not all countries have GPS approaches but NDB, VOR or ILS.

 

José

Point taken...  Just find it amusing that you pay north of $700K for a state of the art glass cockpit and you list a DME and ADF as options. 

[AndyFromCB]

Mooney was originally built upon the premises of speed, efficiency and safety. Only in "modern" times has it become "speed, speed, speed" and engine size and fuel flow tell the story. "200 mph on 200 hp" became "200 knots on 280 hp" or 15% more speed and >50% more fuel, to say nothing of additional cubic inches to burn all of that extra fuel.

 

That's physics for you ;-) square root of power

[Piloto]

I am very happy that Mooney has a commitment to honoring the legacy of the airplane.  The museum will be a wonderful addition to the factory.  Wouldn't it be cool to get the first airplane off the line?

I just hope the museum is not the only thing left at Kerrville. Museums are for things no longer in production.

 

José

[BigTex]

Last time I heard, Mooney was still in negotiations with the airport on a lease extension.  Has anyone heard if that was ever worked out?