Russell Stallings

[Rustler]

Russell Stallings, principal of Southwest Texas Aviation, San Marcos, Texas, a longtime Mooney repair shop, died yesterday in San Marcos. To say the very least, he was an interesting fellow, knew his business and was passionate about it . RIP

[gsxrpilot]

This is terrible news. I took my Mooney to Russell just once for service. I found him to be a very friendly and talkative guy. And he sure did know Mooney's. We sat and talked for a long time about his plans to sell out, retire and go see the world on his motorcycle. It's a terrible thing when someone works so long and hard, but then goes just before they're able to start enjoying the fruits of their labor.

 

RIP friend.

[DaV8or]

Wow, that's sad. RIP Russell. I met him when I had a prebuy done at his shop. I also asked a lot of questions on the phone when I was buying and like Paul at LASAR, he was very helpful. He was a nice guy and honest and straight forward with me. I did hear from Paul Lowen when I picked up my plane from annual that he had got the news that Russell was closing up shop. Likely it sounds now for health reasons. There really aren't many MSCs left.

 

Besides creating and marketing a fair amount of Mooney Mods, he was also the guy behind the now famous SB208 inspection. I guess the first Mooney with a failed tubular frame came into his shop. He told me that, that plane was completely repaired, something that would never be done today. Vintage Mooneys used to be worth a lot more than they are now.

[mike_elliott]

Russell, you will be sorely missed. Your contributions to the Mooney Community were deep, your passion for  Mooneys unbridled. and unparalled.

Godspeed, Blue skies and tailwinds.  You will remain dear in our hearts.

 

Mike Elliott, Ron Dubin and the rest of the Mooney Summit Team

[N33GG]

RIP Russell! 

 

Russell did a pre-buy for me that saved me from buying a disaster of a Mooney.  He also maintained my J Model for several years.  Sorry he is gone.

[furledd]

Talked with him at length on the SWTA cowl mod on my M20F - and bought gap seals from him a few years ago.

 

Does anyone know how old Russell was?  

 

Will SWTA continue ? 

[JCasteel]

I met with Russell just after Oshkosh to introduce him to my wife. Russell kept an eye on me when I was an A & P in San Marcos...always fighting battles for me. I have stayed in contact with Russell over the years and visiting him each time I was in San Marcos. He was a good man I will so miss sharing stories with him .

[Andy95W]

Very sad. I met with him a few times over the past 20+ years, most recently in 2012.

A name that could easily be mentioned in the same sentence as Don Maxwell, and with the STC's he had to his name, Paul Loewen, too.

[DaV8or]

Will SWTA continue ? 

 

No. He announced that was no longer going to be a MSC about a month ago, so I'm sure that's it. Someone might be able to buy the STCs from his estate if they are worth anything. Dunno...

[Guest]

Very sad news, a real loss for the Mooney family.

Clarence

[Shadrach]

I too have spent a fair amount of time talking with Russell over the years.  He was always kind and willing to answer questions in deeper detail than I could have hoped for. Sorry to learn of his passing.  RIP Russell.    

[pirate]

So sad to hear, such a loss. Prayers are with you.

[fantom]

I hope the Mooney passion, knowledge and commitment that we're losing as the 'old guard' retires and passes on is replaced by a new breed.

 

I have my doubts.

 

RIP Russell. 

[USNjetjockey]

Hello everyone,

 

This is Ray Stallings.  I am Russell's brother.  Thank you very much for the kind comments and rememberences. 

 

Here is an update:

 

1. SWTA has suspended business temporarily but it has not closed.

 

2. No new business is being taken in at this time.

 

3. All aircraft currently at SWTA will be completed or the owners will be given the option to come pick up their aircraft and take them elsewhere.

 

4. SWTA will attempt to fill all existing parts orders.  There may be a slight delay as the company reorganizes.  Customers that wish to cancel existing orders

are asked to please call and leave a message that they wish to have their order cancelled to help expidite other orders being filled.

 

5. Limited orders for some parts are being accepted.  Please call for more information.  THERE MAY BE A SIGNIFICANT DELAY IN FILLING NEW ORDERS.

 

6. SWTA's STCs could become available at some point in the future if someone is interested in purchasing them.  If so, please contact me directly via email and we

    will discuss this.

 

7. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CALLING SWTA TO OFFER CONDOLENCES.  WE ARE CURRENTLY USING TEMPORARY PART TIME HELP AND THEY ARE MAXXED OUT WITH  OFFICIAL PHONE CALLS.  I KNOW RUSSELL WOULD HAVE APPRECIATED YOU CALLING BUT WE NEED TO KEEP THE PHONE LINES OPEN FOR ONLY  ORDERS, ETC.  INSTEAD, PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENTS/CONDOLENCES HERE.

 

Russell was passionate about his business and probably knew more about the Mooney line of aircraft than any other single person walking the face of this Earth today.  His loss, while very personal to me, is a bigger loss to the Mooney community.  He will be missed.

 

Thank you again,

 

Ray Stallings

 

 

[KSMooniac]

Thanks for the official update, Ray.  I and many others are sorry for your loss!  Best wishes getting SWTA transitioned, and Godspeed to Russell.

[USNjetjockey]

No. He announced that was no longer going to be a MSC about a month ago, so I'm sure that's it. Someone might be able to buy the STCs from his estate if they are worth anything. Dunno...

This is incorrect information. SWTA is reorganizing after this loss but it is not going away.  It will take a while, but SWTA is coming back.  I hope you will retract your assertion.

[Hondo]

Russell did the R&R for my last engine overhaul.  After the break in flight, there was a blue stain on the inside of the cowl.

 

He started checking and discovered a cracked fuel line that had probably been damaged during shipment.

He recommended replacing the fuel lines to be on the safe side.

 

Definitely owe him a lot and will miss him.

[DaV8or]

This is incorrect information. SWTA is reorganizing after this loss but it is not going away.  It will take a while, but SWTA is coming back.  I hope you will retract your assertion.

 

Sure. You would know better than me. I was going on second hand information I got before Russell's passing. I am quite happy to hear that SWTA is just going through a transition and will be coming back. I hope sincerely hope that you and any others of the Stallings family can do what they can to make sure the new SWTA can come back strong and with new energy. I look forward to the day and now that you are here to spread the news, I will curtail my inaccurate gossip.

 

My deepest sympathies on your personal loss and I pray that you and the family find comfort.

[USNjetjockey]

This is a fund to help Russell's kids.  Please pass this around the Mooney community.  If Russ ever helped you when you were in a bind, here's your chance to repay the favor!  Thanks in advance.

https://gofundme.com/russellandsummer

[garytex]

Damn!