Well, actually, a lot of people talk about it. Ask anyone trying to get aircraft, engines, engine monitors, turbochargers, electronic ignition systems, etc., certified.

Back when I was renting, I logged about 20 hours in two different M20Js. I am average height but above average girth. Once I remember to lower the seat, I found the Mooney quite comfortable and really like its speed.

When I began shopping for my first airplane (i.e., went insane) a M20J was in the top 3. I wasn’t even looking for a Bonanza. Once I flew the Bonanza, it was all over.

Hopefully, Mooney will survive, if for no other reason then to serve as an indicator of the overall health of GA.

Mooney's website is up and running and the company seems to be doing just fine!

http://www.mooney.com/index.php

Russ

How many people do you need to 'don' your DA40 (or do you just leave the canopy off and wear snoopy type aviation goggles ?)

Below is what the head of the Mooney Pilot's Association sent out to its members. Looks like Mooney is still on life support.
------------------


There have been several new issues affecting the Mooney factory in Kerrville
and these have caused a rash of new rumors to circulate the internet the
past two days. The fact is, the economy sucks! As I wrote in the LOG,
everyone in the airplane business has suffered varying degrees of loss
during this economic downturn - read recession. All aircraft manufacturers
have gone through downsizing and layoffs including Mooney. At my last
count, there remained about 30 - 40 folks in Kerrville and all the "outside"
Kerrville offices had been closed. Production has ceased (it makes no sense
to keep making airplanes if you can't sell them) and the manufacturing folks
have been laid off. The paint shop is closed; the completion center is
silent; marketing has been curtailed; engineering R & D has stopped - all in
an attempt to get a handle on overhead while the slump in new aircraft sales
continues.



Of course this is very unfortunate for all those who lost jobs and we will
keep them in our prayers as the company moves forward in an attempt to
continue until better times.



However, some things are still working in Kerrville and MAC management has
assured me that they will continue to support the existing fleet as long as
possible. Parts manufacturing and support is still staffed and your service
center can still order what you need for your current production or legacy
Mooney. Warrantee support is still in operation. Aircraft sales is still
in operation and there is inventory available for anyone interested in a new
Ovation or Acclaim. Tech support and customer support are still offering
services to owners. Product support engineering is still there as is flight
test and certification. While Mooney is not in production, they still have
the type and production certificates and are communicating continuously with
the FAA on fleet status. Mooney has entered a state of hibernation (their
term) at the factory in order to keep overhead as low as possible without
significantly affecting sales and support. They have positioned things in
Kerrville so that they can affect a timely "awakening" then the economy
shows signs of recovery.



As you would expect, with only a handful of people still staffing the
various departments and phones in Kerrville, those still there are
multi-tasking and sometimes are not at their regular numbers. Patience is
important for anyone calling the factory with an inquiry. If necessary,
leave a voice mail or better yet send an email to the individual you are
wishing to contact. Email addresses are easy - first initial followed by
last name @mooney.com should work. If you are still having problems call
the MAPA office and we will attempt to intervene.



By the way, those who have tried to log on to the Mooney website or connect
to the Service Bulletin/Service Letter link on the MAPA website will notice
that Mooney's server is down. This is an unfortunate coincidence (timing is
everything!) because it is an actual technical problem and not related to
the economic reduction at Mooney.

If anyone has any questions or fears, please call me at MAPA and I will try
to help.


Regards,

Trey Hughes
Executive Director
Mooney Aircraft Pilots Association

Ah nice! Lincoln Park is fun...and can be sporty at times. Given where you live I see why you cross the river to NJ as opposed to heading up to Westchester. Probably cheaper to base there anyway. Some of my favorite restaurants are down where you live. I live uptown but end up downtown usually since most of my friends live downtown and consider anything north of 14th street to be in the Bronx.

Where do you go in SoCal? I used to instruct at SMO. Love flying out there...always some place to go (and eat).

As for your airplane choice, sounds like you'd really do well with a bird with tip tanks (extends range but also speeds up trip time due to less or no fuel stops). If you're not putting anyone or anything in the back, the Matrix probably isn't worth it. Go with the sweeter flying airplane...which is the Bonanza, hands down. Are you looking at new or slightly new? Or older?

-Neal

A Texas company hit by hard economic times - what! Pres. Bush, lover of all things GA, did not "hook a brother up"? - hard to believe. How did they miss that one? And how did Mooney miss the government hand out? Did they miss the memo on sending lobbyist to Washington? I am sure they can be rescued for something South of a mere billion bucks. Wait, perhaps Mr Phil Boyer (a moment of reverence from us all) is up for some pro bono work after his years of super hero work. - Thanks for everything Phil, you have been a hero of general aviation.

Wait - the news isn't all bad. Help is already here (you can stay retired Phil), we have a new President and I am confident he will fix it all - "YES HE CAN!". Guys, perhaps we have all been a little quick to read too far into this. President Obama has only been in office less than a week and I am sure that GA and Mooney will be a matter of just waiving his magic wand and this will be taken care of. - "YES HE CAN!"

Does anyone know how close the Mooney factory is to Crawford? Have they expanded the Bush TFR's to include Kerrville? Perhaps there is something more sinister going on here - quick notify Art Bell and the conspiracy theorists. Think about it, President Bush hasn't seen an airplane overhead (other than military hardware) for the better part of the past decade. I think we are onto something here.

For me, when I hear or see a plane it warms my heart. I can't help but wonder who is it? What are they flying if I cannot tell? Where are they going? Where did they come from? Do they have a spare seat?

Pardon me for the rant - I obviously need therapy. Good night.

And a tinfoil hat.

Replying to Neal (pardon the thread drift)

I got my PPL and IR at American Flyers at KSMO. Great GA airport. Had to shovel the snow off the ramp to my hangar yesterday to do my BFR -- sometimes I miss Socal flying. I lived in Venice Beach and could walk to my plane in ten minutes. Now it's a 45 minutes drive.

I like HPN but I've had to wait fifteen minutes between runways just to taxi to the FBO after landing, and burned gallons waiting to get out.

Mike, thanks. I have enjoyed this site very much and have really been selfish just enjoying what you and all the other active users have posted. Going forward I am going to make a better effort to give back a little more.

The more, the merrier!