MOONEY, ONE OF THE MOST TRADITIONAL US COMPANIES, SHUTS DOWN

The US press reports that Mooney Aircraft, based in Kerrville, Texas, founded 1929, has shut down after having dismissed all of its employees. This is not a surprise if we take into account the number of aeroplanes sold in recent years, with 7 planes sold in 2016 and 2017, and 14 in 2018 and just 4 aircraft sold in the first half of 2019 compared to 203 by rival Cirrus.

Among Mooney’s achievements were the first pressurized single-engined, piston-powered aircraft, the M22 Mustang; production of the fastest civilian single-engine piston-powered aircraft in the world, the M20TN Acclaim Type S; the first production aircraft to achieve 201 mph (323 km/h) on 200 hp (150 kW), the M20J 201; and the fastest transcontinental flight in a single-engine piston-powered production aircraft, the M20K 231.

To be updated: No one can reach Mooney Aircraft by phone now, we will follow up this story.

NO PUBLIC COMMENT FROM COMPANY SO FAR

Photo credit: Mooney International Corporation

Source: US Press/various, Wikipedia

Company products:

Mooney M20, over 11,000 built. First flight 1953. Production began in 1955.

Former products:

TOP Interviews

L 410 NG HEADS HIGH AND CAN LAND ANYWHERE

Date 22.9.2020

| fl_cs

The adventurous story of the extraordinary Czech aircraft L- 410, that can both handle extreme weather and land everywhere, continues. L-410 is one of the longest-produced aircraft in its category in history. The variability of use is exceptional and will only grow with new markets. Mrs. Ilona Plšková, company’s CEO, shared the plans of Aircraft Industries. […]

Only a complete training system can make a difference

Date 14.9.2020

| fl_cs

The tendency to stream pilot training at an earlier stage as in the past is being adapted globally to the new operating parameters and requirements. The G 120TP has been designed around the future needs of global air forces and sets a new and unmatched standard in military pilot training. Interview with Thomas (Tom) Reinert, H3 Grob […]

New NATO initiative for training of military pilots and conditions for its success

Date 8.9.2020

| fl_cs

Stability of the security environment has been faltering since the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia. NATO and EU countries are faced with an ever-increasing threat, primarily China and Russia’s ambition to expand their power and widen their sphere of influence. They invest heavily into their military forces, including the air force. The defense budgets of European […]

Flying is a passion for me

Date 1.10.2019

| fl_cs

An Interview with Damian Hirschier, a certified test pilot that holds an Airline Transport Pilot License with a Category 1 Flight Test Rating. He flew more than 130 different aircraft types ranging from gliders up to airliners including 15 first flights of prototypes. By Katerina S. Urbanova You have performed a flight in an electrical […]

More news

20 years of the L-159 aircraft in the Czech Air Force

Date 18.10.2020

| fl_cs

In December 2020, it will be twenty years of operation of the L-159 ALCA light combat aircraft the Czech Air Force. The L-159 aircraft had played significant role in adapting the Czech tactical pilots to the new operational standards, and today, it is preparing new pilots before the transition to supersonic JAS-39 Gripen. On July […]

RED 6 SECURES INVESTMENT FROM LOCKHEED MARTIN VENTURES

Date 18.10.2020

| fl_cs

Funds to Progress Futuristic Aerospace Training and Simulation for the Warfighter Santa Monica, CA, June 18, 2020 – Red 6, a revolutionary technology firm at the forefront of synthetic training, is pleased to announce that it has received a strategic investment from Lockheed Martin Ventures, the strategic investment arm of Lockheed Martin Corporation, a leader in […]

ZeroAvia Completes World First Hydrogen-Electric Passenger Plane Flight

Date 5.10.2020

| fl_cs

ZeroAvia, the leading innovator in decarbonising commercial aviation, has completed the world first hydrogen fuel cell powered flight of a commercial-grade aircraft. The flight took place yesterday at the company’s R&D facility in Cranfield, England, with the Piper M-class six-seat plane completing taxi, takeoff, a full pattern circuit, and landing. ZeroAvia’s achievement is the […]

Life after Life: Czechoslovak ex-military bestsellers

Date 5.10.2020

| fl_cs

One of the areas with a world-class footprint within the Czechoslovakian aviation industry is without a doubt recreational aviation. Although thousands of general aviation and other light aircraft were produced here by companies such as Let Kunovice and Moravan Otrokovice, or their successors, including ULL manufacturers, the largest number of registered planes by far is held by […]

Accessible productivity

Date 5.10.2020 PR article

| fl_cs

The tide, it seems, is turning. The days of manufacturers offshoring work abroad in search of better margins appear to be at an end, with more and more European engineering companies bringing work back in‑house – and reaping the rewards. While there is not one single driver, the increasing accessibility of state‑of‑the‑art production technology which […]

Traffic Forecast Downgrade After Dismal Summer

Date 1.10.2020

| fl_cs

Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) downgraded its traffic forecast for 2020 to reflect a weaker-than-expected recovery, as evidenced by a dismal end to the summer travel season in the Northern Hemisphere. IATA now expects full-year 2020 traffic to be down 66% compared to 2019. The previous estimate was for a 63% decline. August […]