Uber/VTOL/Mooney- wow.

[MB65E]

Well, this may be the strangest idea Mooney Has come up with. They were asked to partner on a vTol project with Uber!!

I would think giving everyone a J model or even remaking the C would be cheaper than a VTOL partnership. 

https://www.verticalmag.com/news/uber-launch-electric-vtol-aircraft-dallas-dubai/?utm_source=vertical-daily-news-top-story&utm_campaign=vertical-daily-news&utm_medium=email&utm_term=top-story&utm_content=V1

-Matt

[AH-1 Cobra Pilot]

GAD!  More of that moronic electric crap!  Maybe, just maybe, once batteries have 1/2 the energy density of gasoline which is at least several decades away...

[KSMooniac]

I'm not sure partnering with Carter is a great idea either....to my knowledge they haven't completed anything in their history, and have existed on loans and grants from cities and the government. Hopefully they really bring something to the table and take money from Uber and not Mooney...

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[orionflt]

I hope the new Mooney CEO puts the brakes on this venture

[Browncbr1]

pie in the sky mental retardation of Chinese leadership at its finest...

[KSMooniac]

Hopefully it is retardation from Uber and they are completely funding this snipe hunt.

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[aviatoreb]

I'll take one as long is it has cup holders and a parachute.

[Mcstealth]

8 hours ago, KSMooniac said:

Hopefully it is retardation from Uber and they are completely funding this snipe hunt.

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Snipes exist. They steal your socks. But only the left ones.  

 

[gsxrpilot]

I really think we all are mis-interpreting the Chinese interest in Mooney. But that's understandable as it's doubtful any of us are Chinese billionaires. I don't believe they have interest in, or need to make any profit from Mooney. There are laws that mandate investment in certain industries and verticals for the Chinese in various parts of China. Aviation is one of those verticals where the Chinese government mandates investment for business in a certain region of China. The young lady who owns Mooney doesn't need Mooney to make any money, and Mooney isn't big enough to ruin her financial empire. So she can, if she chooses, run it at a loss, but maintain it enough to show she's in the aviation industry and engaged in R&D. 

I'm speculating here as well... but I am involved in a fair amount of business in China.

[flyboy0681]

11 hours ago, gsxrpilot said:

I really think we all are mis-interpreting the Chinese interest in Mooney. But that's understandable as it's doubtful any of us are Chinese billionaires. I don't believe they have interest in, or need to make any profit from Mooney. There are laws that mandate investment in certain industries and verticals for the Chinese in various parts of China. Aviation is one of those verticals where the Chinese government mandates investment for business in a certain region of China. The young lady who owns Mooney doesn't need Mooney to make any money, and Mooney isn't big enough to ruin her financial empire. So she can, if she chooses, run it at a loss, but maintain it enough to show she's in the aviation industry and engaged in R&D. 

 

My concern is that the Chinese may have a different perspective on profitability and keeping the company running as an ongoing entity. Before the Chinese purchased the company, the previous owners shut down the production line yet kept the doors open to provide parts and support. My fear is that once the Chinese realize it's a losing proposition, they will just shut down the operation entirely.

[gsxrpilot]

4 hours ago, flyboy0681 said:

My fear is that once the Chinese realize it's a losing proposition, they will just shut down the operation entirely.

And that's my point exactly. The Chinese already knew it was a losing proposition and purchased it anyway. It doesn't need to be profitable for them. 

[tigers2007]

Im surprised they didnt lure in Enstrom Helicopter for this venture as their comrades already own that company too (and saved it from bk?)


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[flyboy0681]

The whole thing is a pipe dream. Uber stated that they wanted to start service by 2020.

[FloridaMan]

On 4/26/2017 at 0:09 PM, Ah-1 Cobra Pilot said:

GAD!  More of that moronic electric crap!  Maybe, just maybe, once batteries have 1/2 the energy density of gasoline which is at least several decades away...

First response to the topic nails it. For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_density

[salty]

6 hours ago, Antares said:

First response to the topic nails it. For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_density

Even worse - the density drops all the way to zero as you use them. Even when they are dead, you're hauling all the weight as when they are fully charged.