MAPA Not Going to Oshkosh

[mooneyflyer]

For those of you hoping to drink the lemonade again and hob nob with other Mooney pilots at the MAPA tent, you'll have to wait until next year.  This email from Trey Hughes.

______________

Folks,

Since it has already been brought up, after weeks of deliberation by the
entire MAPA Staff, we have decided to forego the EAA Airventure in Oshkosh
for the first time in over 20 years.  The costs associated with
participating in Airventure have been increasing to the point that covering
expenses has been difficult.  I am tasked with protecting the interests of
the association and its investors so that MAPA continues to be an asset to
the entire Mooney family and our membership now and into the future.  To
that end, I must control cash flow to make sure that MAPA survives these
tough economic times and remains viable and beneficial for Mooney owners.
This decision is an unfortunate, difficult and necessary step to assure the
long term health of the association.  As most businesses these days, we have
chosen to implement reductions in operating expenses rather then increases
in advertising or membership costs.  With the ever increasing cost for fuel
- both avgas and auto fuel - we think that the attendance at this year's
event will be negatively affected.  With the overall attendance at OSH
declining in recent years, I think that skipping this year is in the best
interest of the association.  Of course we will miss meeting and visiting
with current Mooney owners, MAPA members and future Mooney owners some of
whom we only get to see at OSH.  But my responsibility is to make sure that
this association is around not just today but tomorrow too in order to serve
the whole Mooney/MAPA community.

I see this as a one year decision and fully expect MAPA to return to OSH as
an exhibitor in 2012.

Regards,
Trey Hughes

[N33GG]

I heard Trey had a nasty fall and broke some bones recently.  I hope he is doing alright.  Anybody know his status?

[jelswick]

Very sorry to hear they are not going to be there and about Trey's fall.  This situation is very frustrating, but understandable from MAPA's perspective.  Hearing $5/gal auto gas promises for this spring/summer makes it scary to think where our 100LL prices are going to have to go.  The quote "Under my plan, energy prices will necessarily skyrocket" just keeps going through my head.  Very frustrated at this point as this feels rather engineered...

[Parker_Woodruff]

Quote: jelswick

The quote "Under my plan, energy prices will necessarily skyrocket" just keeps going through my head.  Very frustrated at this point as this feels rather engineered...

[jelswick]

I'll admit Parker I had to look that up, but seeing what it is, I'd have to agree.  Engineering/experimentation with our economy like this is not helping any of this.  Maybe we're supposed to convert our Lycomings to wind or solar power?

[Parker_Woodruff]

Quote: jelswick

I'll admit Parker I had to look that up, but seeing what it is, I'd have to agree.  Engineering/experimentation with our economy like this is not helping any of this.  Maybe we're supposed to convert our Lycomings to wind or solar power?

[mooneyflyer]

On the Mooney List, someone said this is disappointing because MAPA indicated that they did NOT go to Sun-n-Fun this year in order to focus on Oshkosh.  Now this sad/bad news!

[N601RX]

It seems Mooney, MAPA, and possibly a large Mooney service center or 2 could share a booth.

[mooneygirl]

The Mooney Ambassadors will be at AirVenture, and would be willing to help "man" a booth.  It is very sad, but understandable.  Trey's ankle and rib injuries are healing, but of course very painful.

[Piloto]

Trey

Don't feel bad, no apologies needed. As you know many companies are not attending OSH for the same reasons you indicated. With the current situation and uncertainty in the future it is wise to keep expenses down. I want to thank you for keeping membership and advertising at previous rates. Hopefully things will improve and will see you again at OSH.

José

 

[meddesign]

No one seems to want to criticize the cost of display at these shows.

[jelswick]

I'll second Jose's post to the MAPA crew.  Trey, we hope you are feeling better and we will look forward to seeing you back at Oshkosh in the future.  We'll look forward to that lemonade again too!  Just sad to see the economy have this affect on MAPA and many others, but agree it's understandable and probably a prudent call.  We want you there when this economy straightens out and if this is what it takes for that, it's a small loss this year that is worth it in the long run for all of us.  Thank you!

[fantom]

Quote: mooneygirl

The Mooney Ambassadors will be at AirVenture, and would be willing to help "man" a booth.  

[DaV8or]

I went to OSH last year and really, it seems that if times are hard, perhaps a smaller, more appropiate sized booth would be called for. I'm thinking a small booth in one of the vendor hangars. Something scaled down and perhaps shared with other Mooney vendors.

Here's another idea, a display cockpit section. Find a wrecked Mooney fuselage and fix it up so that people can actualy sit in a Mooney. I'm sure there is just such a section out there that could be donated. If it were a long body, it could be rigged to show the difference between the short, mid and long bodies. It seems the number one question a prospective Mooney buyer has is, "Will I fit in it?" The Mooney's performance is well storied, but it's cockpit reputation is probably the #1 reason people fail to even consider an M20x. All of this would be accompanied by hand out performance guides of the different Mooneys and Jimmy Garrison's price guides too. Photo displays showing the differences and maybe a sort of flow chart time line illustrating the changes over the decades. Also a section on all the mods that can be done. Instead of just trying to sell a few shirts and hats, really sell the plane. The more people interested in used Mooneys, the better off we all are. Time to give up the dream of new Mooneys. Not likely to happen. Time to sell the joys of Mooney ownership and the fact that there is nearly an M20 to fit all budgets and most all missions.