I Believe in MAPA

[MooneyMitch]

I believe in our Mooney Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association [MAPA]. MAPA keeps the interest of Mooney owners and pilots at the forefront. It is my belief that MAPA is truly a professional organization which puts the interests of Mooney owners first, above all else. Nothing, or no one in MAPA is ego based or self-serving.

Our recent experience at the 2012 MAPA Homecoming Convention proves my point. Every aspect of the event was strictly based, and focused on keeping us Mooney owners and pilots interests at the top of the list! Trey and Lela's efforts are sincere and completely dedicated to that concept. No one there was, or is looking for a pat on the back! They do it all for us.

Other Mooney organizations have come and gone, which appeared to be personally ego based, and not truly have our Mooney family at heart. In the case of MAPA, I believe their efforts are for us, not for themselves.

I believe in fair and honest competition in the market place. Nothing in life is perfect, not even MAPA or the MAPA LOG. There is always room for improvement. With the recent upgrades to the MAPA web site, this is proof that MAPA does listen and respond to its members, while striving in a positive honest way of keeping us, the members as the focus of the group.

On a side note, none of us know the future of general aviation as a whole. What we do know is that we all must continue to speak up and out in protecting our right to fly our airplanes freely about our American skies. These freedoms obviously include protecting and promoting our precious general aviation airports. In this fight, we all must be involved politically on Federal, State and local levels. If you are not involved, I strongly suggest you become so! We can easily sit back, complain and disparage. If you believe in something, speak up and out, not only to your friends, but to your elected officials. It really can help make a difference.

[Greg_D]

I'm glad the event was a success Mitch. Now if they would just update the magazine and website and start getting out to events, along with addressing the concerns that many of their current and former members have brought forward, maybe they will grow. BTW, what updates were made to the website other than some new fonts and colors?

[Hank]

I'm a believer in MAPA, too. Just attended a refresher PPP on the 6th at Niagara Falls, so did not try to fly to the far reaches of Texas last week. They generally do a good job, and I haven't been a member long enough for the articles to feel like re-runs as some people complain.

Having them on our side, updating the world about the factory, spreading ADs and SBs, getting the word out about upcoming changes and new technologies, is nice so that I don't have to pound the sidewalk and pour through innumberable web pages to get the information myself.

The dues, in my mind, is money well spent.

[mooneygirl]

As those who attended MAPA know, I am a second-generation MAPA member. My mother and father were MAPA members and flew with the West Coast MAPA group [Paul and Shery Loewen were at the helm]. For less than a dollar a week in dues, we are represented as owners, receive a magazine, have access to members-only forum and have great educational and social opportunities. I know that one organization cannot be all things to all people, there will always be tweaks here and there. In addition to AOPA and/or EAA and local groups, I feel the MAPA membership is a good use of my money.

The conference was under $200 per person and included several meals, all seminars, and the famous ice cream social.

[docket]

I was sorry I missed it but the good news is that I was flying the hell out of N56FM.

[MooneyMitch]

Hey, that's what our Mooneys are for! We put 14 hours on ours going to/from Texas. Great flights, hope yours was too!

[docket]

Key West == awesome

[Becca]

Key West == awesome

We went last Christmas and also loved it - what a beautiful flight in a Mooney!! I saw from your photos you went sailing - where'd you charter the boat from? We are going to Florida again this Christmas (family in Boca) but trying out the Bahamas instead of Key West this year..

[John Pleisse]

I, too am a big fan of MAPA. They serve a purpose and T & L do a great job. I especially enjoy their friendliness. They have a longer record in the community and have prevailed over other organizations.

However, I would politely suggest they consider a better layout for the Log....share more pix......cooler t-shirshts and apparel (maybe more impactful logo) .......consider holding the MAPA events/conventions farther east.......and finally, even though this problem is industry wide, they should work harder to develop events and participation attracting younger pilots. GA is demographically old. Convention and event participation favors elders who are more financially stable and have fewer career and family stressors. PreJ through J airplanes are step up retracts and offer a larger pool of younger pilots, a demographic asset. Youth would be strength for MAPA.

I could gush all day about MAPA, so I hope this is constructive.

[docket]

We went last Christmas and also loved it - what a beautiful flight in a Mooney!! I saw from your photos you went sailing - where'd you charter the boat from? We are going to Florida again this Christmas (family in Boca) but trying out the Bahamas instead of Key West this year..

Da boat is mine.

[Becca]

Da boat is mine.

Did you cross the Gulf in it or did you take it over on the intercoastal? (I seem to recall you also have a boat near us here in clear lake..)

[Seth]

It may be time for me to join MAPA. I have not been a member in the past, but should be. I'll sign up this weekend.

-Seth

[fantom]

It may be time for me to join MAPA. I have not been a member in the past, but should be. I'll sign up this weekend.

-Seth

That's great Seth....we all should be members.

[kortopates]

That's great Seth....we all should be members.

+1 !

[SpamPilot]

As a new Mooney owner, I'm looking to join groups such as MAPA.  But can anyone tell me if they are still in business?  What's up with forcing me to create a PayPal account in order to pay for a membership?  That's not very welcoming.  And why have there been exactly zero Verified Buyers purchasing memberships or anything else from them in the past year, according to PayPal?  Plus, the last announcement on their home page is eight months old.  Looks to me like nobody is home.

[N601RX]

Here is a much better publication that is free.

http://www.themooneyflyer.com/

[DaV8or]

MAPA is alive and well. Just very technologically challenged. I'm sure that if you would prefer to mail them a check they will accept it.

Jim

 

Yeah, they take mine. If it were PayPal only, I'd be pretty annoyed.

[DaV8or]

Here is a much better publication that is free.

http://www.themooneyflyer.com/

 

Well, MAPA's more than the magazine. They also coordinate safety seminars, technical seminars and there is the wealth of knowledge on "the list" that isn't here, or anywhere else on the web. Also you can also get an insurance discount for being a member.

[midlifeflyer]

I have generally joined the applicable type club when flying a new-to-me make/model airplane. I did it with MAPA, but in doing so violated my rule that I don't join a type club unless I can get a trial membership.

 

Sorry to say, there is a good reason for my "not-without-a-trial-membership" rule. Trial memberships are an excellent marketing tool - if you have the goods to deliver. My rule is based on the premise that no-trial equals "nothing good available." Unforunately true with MAPA. Compared with the wealth of materials available  in the Comanche (talk about old!), Cirrus and Bonanza type clubs, MAPA runs a distant 47th.

 

This forum and it's associated online magazine have been far more helpful to my transition. 

[Jamie]

As a new Mooney owner, I'm looking to join groups such as MAPA.  But can anyone tell me if they are still in business?  What's up with forcing me to create a PayPal account in order to pay for a membership?

It's good to know they'll take a check, but just as additional data point....

I was calling around for insurance quotes, and was asked if I was a member of MAPA. So I went to their site, read some, said "sure, why not" and went to sign up. PayPal only? I just closed the tab and forgot about it. It wasn't because I was mad, or even annoyed. I'm not pouting because they don't support my favorite payment method. But I won't use paypal, and they lost me because of it. I haven't had printed checks for years. On the rare occasion I need one, I go to my bank and get an official check. That's simply too much trouble for the perceived benefit here.

But I can understand if they don't make enough to take credit cards. Totally understandable. Maybe AOPA could start a "partnership" or something with a bunch of type-specific groups, and you could check the box for your group when you sign up. Then AOPA could mail MAPA a check instead of me.

[bumper]

Tooth Fairy, Santa Clause, Boogey Man, Obama Care, MAPA

 

Okay, I get it . . .

[quik flite]

Call them with a credit card number, I do it yearly.