Mooney Aircraft Company Concerns

[74657]

Quote: jetdriven

[rdav]

Quote: DaV8or

Typically what happens is, there is a bankruptcy sale and the type certificate is offered at some price. Usually some company will buy it, or in some cases, a group of type owners will buy it. This is usually done more to keep the fleet flying rather than future aircraft production. If nobody wants the certificate, it gets surrendered to the FAA and it becomes void and all the planes become unairworthy I guess. In the case of Mooney, this will not happen. There are enough planes flying and enough enthusiasm for the type that someone will buy it.

[PilotDerek]

I wasn’t too concerned that the company is effectively closed. I figured that someone will take over the parts business similar to Fletchair taking over for the American General (Grumman) aircraft still out there, which is definitely a smaller fleet than Mooney aircraft. I wonder how much longer they will cling to life. Last I heard they only had four employees left (hearsay no hard facts). I know I am still going to buy a Mooney regardless of the Company. Although C and P are the strongest companies they are just not as fun to fly.  

[Ashe]

I think for a more extreme case of this, you could look at the Globe/Temco Swift, where the Swift Museum Foundation procured the type certificate and most parts are either custom made, or you get drawings and it falls under Owner Produced Parts, which I guess is allowed for truly orphaned, certified aircraft.  Now, the issue of parts complexity is another story - the Swift is an old enough design that parts are pretty easy to replicate through mostly manual means.  The die stamped elevator mentioned earlier, for example...I don't know where we'd turn.

Ashe

[danb35]

Quote: Ashe

you get drawings and it falls under Owner Produced Parts, which I guess is allowed for truly orphaned, certified aircraft.

[N601RX]

Quote: danb35

Owner Produced Parts are allowed for all certified aircraft, not only orphaned models.  There can be difficulties, though, in verifying that the part conforms to the type design.  If you can demonstrate that, by means acceptable to your A&P (or IA if needed), you can use an owner produced part on your Mooney, Cessna, whatever.

[Becca]

Quote: BluSky

I wouldn't let it discourage me. Look at Mooney's history they always re-emerge plus you have people like Lasar, Mooney Mart and the like that will always find ways to get/make parts. I don't think Mooney will be closed for very long especially with new overseas markets like China coming on strong since opening more and more of  it's airspace for general aviation. China is going to have one huge demand. 

[Becca]

Duplicate post.

[Becca]

Quote: Parker_Woodruff

[Parker_Woodruff]

Based on what I'm hearing on this board and elsewhere, Mooney could do itself and its books a real nice favor and produce about $200,000 of these control surfaces. 

[jetdriven]

The last 3 or 4 M20s (C-J) we have seen could use a set of ailerons and elevators.  They must be skinned in see-thruluminum. 

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

(moved from a diffrent message board)

Quote: jetdriven

[DaV8or]

The way I see it, Mooney is broke and has no credit with anyone I imagine. That means that anything they produce, they have to front the money for materials and labor. In the case of components, that means minimum production runs, again all up front. In the case of the die formed elevator, they have to buy a quantity of aluminum and then hire back the workers that know how to make them. Most of those workers have moved on by now and probably aren't too interested, or able to come back to just do a contract job. No customer is going to front the money for $18,000 worth of control surfaces not knowing if Mooney will even be around for another month and if they'll ever see the parts. So, Mooney is stuck.

Having said all that, it would be nice if they reached out a bit to their loyal fans and customers and gave us some insight. I'm sure they're still hoping for an economic recovery and a miracle investor, but at some point, they'll have to call it quits and work with what they have... us.

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

Quote: DaV8or

 ...but at some point, they'll have to call it quits and work with what they have... us.

[74657]

Quote: jetdriven

The last 3 or 4 M20s (C-J) we have seen could use a set of ailerons and elevators.  They must be skinned in see-thruluminum. 

[N601RX]

Quote: Becca

None of those guys can get us a replacement elevator or aileron for our hail damaged ones, not at any price.  They don't exist in salvage because they are so easily damaged and there aren't any new ones.  Just my two cents.

[jetdriven]

Didnt those guys go bankrupt as well?

Quote: Parker_Woodruff

If they can keep Commander 112 and 114 airframes flying, we should have no trouble with Mooneys. 

[jetdriven]

Thanks for the headsup, Mike, but it is just one aileron. We need two.

Quote: N601RX

None of those guys can get us a replacement elevator or aileron for our hail damaged ones, not at any price.  They don't exist in salvage because they are so easily damaged and there aren't any new ones.  Just my two cents.

[mooneygirl]

From Don Maxwell Aviation:

 

Just wanted to post a little update about the factory. Parts are becoming
more available. Mooney has brought some of the employees back and machined
parts, such as bushings and such are available again. Welded parts are
available and last week they brought back a sheet metal guy and they are now
making wing skins and such. Stamped parts are still not available but will
be very soon. These parts are items like gear doors and such. The word has
not reached all of the MSC's for some reason but be sure and pass the word.
They are working on the back orders now but they need new orders soon to
keep these guys on. So if you've been gripping you can't get parts, now is
your chance. If your local MSC can't help you, there are about 6 of us on
this list that will be glad too. Mooney requests that you order parts thru
the service center network and to please not call the factory. Stacie is
helping with mfg parts and that leaves Frank to himself filling our orders.
If you must contact the factory , please email them at serviceparts
@mooney.com.  I think Trey is working on a more detailed list of items
available now and what will be available shortly.
Don Maxwell

[Parker_Woodruff]

Good to hear the full details.

[aerobat95]

I am very happy to hear this as I am wanting to replace my nose gear doors in the near future.

[jetdriven]

Still no ailerons or elevators.   humpfh.

[aerobat95]

I believe Lasar said they are going to be doing the skins for those......so maybe in the near future. 

[jetdriven]

I dont think Stacey will mind. Here is the latest on new ailerons or elevators.    

 

EMAIL

Byron,
 
We don't have anyone to build ailerons and elevators. We can make all the skins you are needing to rebuild them. We can also make all the other skins. You can contact a Service Center to place an order for the skins. We are making parts that are on order. I will ask our Structures Engineer about hail damage repair.
 
I'm not at my desk most of the day. Out in the shops making parts. Email is the best way to get answers. If you email support@mooney.com there are three of us that get those emails.
 
Prices quoted do not include freight. Price and availability is subject to change without notice.
 
Stacey Ellis
Technical Support Engineer
______________________________
Mooney Aviation Company, Inc.
165 Al Mooney Road N., Kerrville, TX 78028

[thinwing]

Stacey Ellis signature is on the first page of my mooney Bravos acceptance test flight in dec 26 2000....small world...kpc