MAPA Homecoming, 2012

[mooneygirl]

MAPA Homecoming, September 13-16th.  From Trey Hughes: 
Historic Hill Country town of Fredericksburg, Texas located just 22 miles
north of Mooney's birthplace - Kerrville.  Those of you with female
co-pilots who have attended Homecomings in Kerrville most certainly have
heard the name Fredericksburg before.  Each time we have visited Kerrville,
there is always an "expedition" conducted to the German town just up Highway
16 for the purpose of exploring the shopping options contained therein.
Well this year we are going to make things easier for those "shopaholics" in
MAPA.

We are also changing the scenario some more this year by eliminating the
single convention hotel format that we have followed for the past 37 years
and instead will leave lodging decisions up to each attendee.  We will have
a MAPA Host Hotel - the Fredericksburg Inn & Suites (830.997.0202
) - where the seminars will be held, and we have blocked a limited number of rooms at a rate of $119 per night plus tax for attendees who wish to stay close to Lela and me.  But, we are encouraging members to take advantage of all the fine inns, hotels and B&Bs found in and around Fredericksburg.  A partiallist will be found at the end of the Editorial; however the Fredericksburg
Chamber of Commerce (http://www.fredericksburg-texas.com/) has a list of
lodging choices that is more complete.  There is also a B&B service that can
assist those who want a little more intimacy (First Class Bed & Breakfast
Reservation Service http://www.fredericksburg-lodging.com/Default.asp).

We will use the Fredericksburg/Gillespie County Airport (T82)
(http://www.airnav.com/airport/T82) just 3 miles SW of town as our host
airport.  This is an uncontrolled airport so CTAF/UNICOM is 122.7 and the
FBO is run by the city/county.  Their number is 830-997-3313.  Rental cars
can be arranged through The Motor Pool Auto Rental (866-990-0562  Since
lodging for attendees is "ala cart" local transportation is up to each individual and should be arranged in advance.

The dates for this year's event are September 13 through 16.  Arrivals will
be met by the MAPA staff at the airport where a welcome center will be
set-up.  Once the registration formalities are complete, guests will be free
to make their way to their lodging of choice.  Later that evening we will
host an informal gathering of some kind and more information about this will
be coming at a later date.  On Friday the 14th we plan on a full day of
seminars at the Fredericksburg Inn & Suites.  We are arranging another group
of outstanding speakers and a complete list of sessions will also be
published in an upcoming issue of the LOG.  Friday night we will once again
host our annual Ice Cream Social.  Saturday we will welcome everyone back to
the Gillespie County Airport for "Airport Day" during which we will wander
the flight like to pick out our choices for Best in Show.  We have fired the
"Super secret, highly knowledgeable" panel of judges and instead we will
return this year to the member's choice as you, our guests, get to decide
which Mooney is the best in each model category.

Of course, a MAPA convention wouldn't be complete without the Farewell
Banquet on Saturday night where we will recognize the winners in the
Aircraft Beauty Contest with highly sought after MAPA plaques.  Keeping the
theme changing, this year we have decided to forgo the usual hotel banquet
room in favor of something different, so for 2012 we will take the Farewell
Banquet "on the road" with a special surprise venue for dinner.  Stay tuned,
I promise you will enjoy this.

Be sure to watch the MAPA LOG for more updates on our 38th gathering of MAPA
members.  Be sure to mark September 13 - 16 on your calendars and make early
reservations at your hotel or B&B of choice and join us in Fredericksburg
for fun, food and fellowship.

Plan now and make reservations early as September is a very busy time in the
Texas Hill Country.

[DrBill]

I have a choice.. I can go to homecoming  OR  I can be best man at my son's wedding.. Let's see..  Tough decision. ...

I guess I'll go to....... The Wedding.

BILL

 

[pjsny78]

I hate to be the negative one on this. But it seems this is a downgrade from last year. I liked the idea that most of the guys were staying at the same place and the hotel/Mapa provided transportation to the hotel. There was no need to rent a car. It made it rather easy to make new friends and socialize with other Mooney owners. The presentations seem to be not on the same par from what I understand from years past. The location is questionable to me. A MAPA homecoming to me should be in a major city or at least Kerrville. I think this speaks of MAPA'S current economic status more than anything.

 I am not as excited to go this year as I was last year’s event.

[mooneygirl]

Well I, for one, am excited to go.  I love meeting folks from MooneySpace and the AOPA red board.  Are the presentations listed somewhere and I missed it? 

[MooneyMitch]

This information is from Trey Hughes at MAPA:

ATTENTION – ATTENTION – ATTENTION

MAPA is pleased to announce that we have a very limited number of spaces available for a tour of the Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. in Kerrville during the MAPA “Almost-Home Coming” convention in Fredericksburg September 13-16. These spaces will be limited to “first-come, first-served” from attendees who have signed up for the entire convention and arrive on the 13th.

Barry Hodkin, MAC CFO, has agreed to provide tour guides for our members on a limited basis. The tour will depart the Fredericksburg airport via a MAPA bus after “Airport Day” lunch on Saturday Sept 15 at about 1 PM and will be limited to those with reservations on the bus. We will begin collecting names at the airport during Arrival Day Thursday Sept 13th and are limited to 30 persons. The MAPA bus will transport tour participants from T82 to KERV (the factory property) and then return them to T82 upon tour completion at approximately 4 PM. So for those who have not already signed up for the convention be sure to do so soon and then plan to get to Fredericksburg early on the 13th so that you can take part in this very special trip.

[Becca]

That's awesome - so glad that is being opened up - we really wanted to see the factory last year!  But seriously, a bus?  I have a device called an aero-plane.  Just saying   Can we meet you there?  

Also, I was trying to see if any one wanted to join us for dinner on Friday night, let me know: http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?mainaction=posts&forumid=1&threadid=5438

We'll be staying at the Hangar Hotel, pretty excited about that.

[MooneyMitch]

Thank you Becca so much for the dinner invitation.  Sounds fun.  Jolie and I have some additional projects in progress for our time spent in the great State of Texas that week which are requiring some flexibility.  I can't commit us to joining you all at this point, but let's see how it all plays out.

It will fun to see all those Mooneys parking at the Hotel!

[mooneygirl]

Becca, I think that once folks get to Fredericksburg they might not want to make the hop in the airplane to Kerrville. I am serious.  Owners get their planes all spruced up for the judging and probably want to stay put.  With that said, I think it is so FAB that Trey organized the tour.  It is a magical place, and in my optimisim I think it can be a productive place again. Looking forward to seeing our Mooney family in Texas, next month!! Oh my

[Becca]

The trip is after judging right (its Saturday afternoon)?  Planes are made for flying .  Plus I noticed many people showed up at last years convention sans airplane (yes, I know, gasp, horror).  Maybe if some of us flew over to Kerrville we could bring those folks along for a nice little flight or even doing some seat swapping (I wouldn't mind a ride in an Ovation, myself).  Of course I think Trey is pretty smart for arranging the bus, it protects you from bad weather, etc, regardless.

[mooneygirl]

Righto, I am so happy about the tours.  We all made the suggestion last year, and voila!  Yes, fingers crossed for good weather for us VFR pilots [working on rating!]  We will be able to let you know about the Friday dinner, but it might be late notice. 

[MooneyMitch]

Ok, pressures on Trey, so you can call NOW and make a reservation for the factory tour!! 

Only 30 slots available so call or email QUICK!!