Mooney chief aims to create GA conglomerate
Roy Norris was cruising around in his boat in the rolling wake of his 25-year career in the aerospace industry when he realized he had a unique opportunity to come out of retirement. As the former president of Raytheon Aircraft Company, he hadn't really planned to get back in the game again. His decision to do so hinged on whether company investors at Advanced Aerodynamics and Structures Inc. (AASI), based in Long Beach, California, were open to his idea of creating a fast-growing company featuring everything from training aircraft to jets. They were sold.
The idea rested upon what Norris described as "three pillars" that evolved with the industry: tort reform (General Aviation Revitalization Act), depreciating airline service, and the availability for purchase of proven GA manufacturers. "I think we're going to see a rebirth of this whole industry," he said.
Acquiring the bankrupt Mooney Aircraft's assets in March was the first step in becoming a major GA conglomerate, Norris said. The company did not disclose the exact terms of the sale, but Norris, now AASI's president, chairman, and CEO, said that it would have required a commitment of $15 million to have outbid AASI, which happened to be the lone bidder.
Along with the change in ownership come new names. AASI intends to change its name to Mooney Aerospace Group Ltd. while Mooney will become the Mooney Airplane Company Inc. to seize the brand-name appeal.
Production for this new company will take place at Mooney's home in Kerrville, Texas, where there is a combination of high-quality facilities and experienced workers. "The work ethic here is just wonderful. The building of Mooney airplanes is almost a spiritual quest down here. It's just the perfect place," Norris said.
Because AASI now owns the company, it can immediately put spare parts for Mooneys back into full production, up from limited production, and, in a few months, start moving completed airplanes out the factory door. Headquarters will remain in Long Beach, which also will serve as a development center for the Jetcruzer 500 project (AASI's single-engine turboprop that is currently being redesigned for FAA certification), a marketing and sales group, and a major service center. Norris intends to reduce aircraft prices by keeping overhead in check, reducing distribution costs, and running a lean company.
One thing he learned while vice president at Cessna is that owners tend to move up the performance ladder. Norris' business model, therefore, calls for a family of aircraft starting with an entry-level trainer. At the other end of the performance spectrum, discussions are under way with Century Aerospace Corporation for acquiring the rights to manufacture the Century Jet. Norris said there are also talks with another GA manufacturer, but he wouldn't say which one — only that it would "complement Mooney."
Notice of annual meeting of members
The annual meeting of the members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association will be held at noon on Saturday, May 4, at Wings Field, Ambler, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of receiving reports and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting, including the election of trustees. — John S. Yodice, Secretary
Boston aviation club celebrates its centennial
The fact that powered flight didn't exist, didn't stop a group of would-be aviators from celebrating the joy of flight. They simply took what was available in 1902. Balloons.
With their eye on developments in powered flight, a group of balloonists in the Boston area gathered on January 20, 1902, to form the Aero Club of New England (ACONE), now known as the oldest aviation organization in the Americas and the second oldest in the world. When they first gathered, besides dedicating themselves to the fun of drifting along in their balloons, they decided to support research into powered flight and sent the Wright brothers some money to help advance their promising efforts.
This past January, ACONE marked its centenary with a happy gathering in Boston. About 120 of the club's more than 400 members and several aviation dignitaries joined to unfurl ACONE's banner and celebrate a century of accomplishments. ACONE's purpose and involvement in aviation has grown significantly during its first 100 years. While still dedicated to the celebration of flight, the group also has a serious side. Each year ACONE gives thousands of dollars in aviation scholarship funds to aid those pursuing careers in all fields of aviation, as well as supporting milestone flights and advanced research programs.
Each year the club also honors a person of extraordinary accomplishment who has made significant contributions to the field of aviation. As a result, more than 50 people or teams have been recipients of the Godfrey L. Cabot Award since its inception in 1952. See the Web site ( www.acone.org) for more information on the group.
Squawk Sheet
The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive (AD) for Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft after it was discovered that, because of faulty parts, the parachute system may not activate in an emergency. AD 2002-05-05 requires some owners to abide by temporary operating limitations based on serial numbers. Cirrus Design Corporation is picking up the cost of repairs for the fleet of some 300 aircraft. Cirrus had urged the FAA to issue the AD so that all owners comply.
ePILOT HEADLINERS
Headlines pulled from the most recent edition of AOPA's e-mail newsletter
Group develops Centaur amphibian
An international consortium is funding the development of a prototype amphibious aircraft. The Centaur is a six-place, single-engine piston aircraft that, according to the company, could replace existing sea- and landplanes, helicopters, and boats.
Diamond Star nears FAA approval
The first Canadian-built IFR-capable DA40-180 Diamond Star has received Canadian certification, clearing the way for FAA approval under a reciprocal agreement.
Cessna Sovereign makes maiden flight
Cessna Aircraft Company's newest aircraft, the Citation Sovereign, made its maiden flight on February 27. Launching from Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport, the airplane made a one-hour-and-10-minute flight to conduct a variety of tests including basic stability, flap extension and retraction, controllability, and slow flight.
Other Wright brothers launch on epic journey
The Wright brothers are about to fly. But we're not talking about Orville and Wilbur. Jerry and Jimmy Wright (no relation to the historic Wrights) are planning to set a record by becoming the first to take off and land at 3,805 hard-surface public airports in the United States.
Cirrus announces price increase
Cirrus Design announced a price increase for both its SR20 and SR22 single-engine airplanes. After March 31 the prices for the IFR-equipped aircraft were $207,800 and $289,400, respectively.
Learjet act ready for airshow circuit
Bobby Younkin, a Learjet charter pilot who performs in airshows on weekends, will debut a new act at the 2002 Sun 'n Fun EAA Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida. The act will feature a Learjet 23 and will show what the jets can really do.
To sign up for the free AOPA ePilot or to view the archive, see AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/members/files/pilot/epilot/).
Dee Howard receives FAA Master Mechanic award
Inventor and problem-solver extraordinaire Dee Unger Howard of San Antonio has received the FAA Charles Taylor Master Mechanic award for his more than 50 years of service to aviation. He was the founder of a San Antonio aircraft modification and repair firm that still bears his name but is under new ownership.
Taylor, for whom the award is named, built and maintained engines for the Wright brothers' first powered flights. A seventh-grade dropout (he says he was not in the eighth grade long enough to count), Howard told AOPA Pilot that he is thrilled about the award. "It proves that if you've got luck, it makes up for anything you lack in brains," he joked. His seven grades of schooling were gained at 10 different schools. "We moved every time the rent came due."
With his mechanical skills, Howard spent his career repairing, modifying, and improving aircraft, nearly teaching some underperforming airplanes how to fly. A major accomplishment was the development of thrust reversers for business jets. Howard watched one rainy day as a business jet landed, deployed a drag chute, then taxied clear of the runway and stopped while the copilot collected the soggy contraption and put it in the cabin with the passengers. His reversers are found on several models of business jets, including the Cessna Citation X.
The 81-year-old pilot owned a Hawker business jet until a few years ago when he sold it to help finance his current business, River City Products Company. The firm has so far sold 4,000 stability systems used to help drivers of large vehicles, such as 18-wheel trucks, passenger buses, and recreational vehicles, to maintain directional stability in the event of crosswinds or tire blowouts. He sold the Dee Howard Company in 1990.
Among the highlights of his career was the creation of a line of business aircraft derived from the Lockheed Ventura piston-engine medium bomber used in World War II. He produced about 150 aircraft, including the Howard Super Ventura, Howard 250, Howard 350, and pressurized Howard 500. The 500 could cruise at 338 knots and remain in the air for 8.5 hours. It featured huge 11-foot-diameter four-blade propellers that were cut down from Lockheed Constellation propellers. It could carry 10 to 14 passengers and outpace a Gulfstream I. No Dee Howard aircraft was ever involved in a passenger fatality.
Howard was a close friend of the late Bill Lear Sr., and built the first wooden model of the first Learjet. He later did design work on the Learjet, reducing drag by 20 percent and increasing thrust by 3 percent. He also extended the aircraft's range. When company officials claimed that its engineers had made the improvements, Howard filed a $75 million lawsuit that was settled amicably out of court, with Howard getting $7,500 as a royalty for every Learjet retrofitted with his modifications.
The most luxurious modification he ever made was on a Boeing 747 destined for King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia. The interior featured 24-karat gold trim, armor plating, a hospital, and an elevator in the King's bedroom.
In 1988 he received the Queen's Award from Great Britain for technological achievements for his contribution to the Rolls-Royce Tay jet engine. In 1993 he received the Meritorious Service Award from the National Business Aviation Association, and in 2000 he was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. — Alton K. Marsh
Members in the news
Kimble D. McCutcheon, AOPA 1116173, has published Tornado: Wright Aero's Last Liquid-Cooled Piston Engine. The book takes an in-depth look at a remarkable 42-cylinder radial that was developed by the Wright Aeronautical Division of Curtiss-Wright. In addition to a wealth of technical detail, Tornado documents the people and politics behind the engine, the aircraft it was meant to power, and the story of how the last remaining example was saved and restored. Tornado is the first in a series of books about the last generation of exotic aircraft piston engines developed for the U.S. military. For more information, see the Web site ( www.weakforcepress.com).
Scott Christie, AOPA 1384001, a psychologist working in the field of ergonomics, has developed a pitot cover that detaches automatically at 50 knots if the pilot forgets to remove it prior to flight. For more information, call 207/645-5263.
Joseph A. Bawduniak, AOPA 264939, was named Safety Counselor of the Year 2001 for the Southern Region of the United States. He formerly was Aviation Safety Counselor of the Year 1998. He is currently a board member of the Friends of Naples Municipal Airport Inc. He learned to fly in the Alaskan bush and owns a Cessna 185F.
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