Mooney Celebrates 70th Anniversary at AirVenture 2018

July 23, 2018 - As the gates for EAA AirVenture 2018 swing open, Mooney International is celebrating its 70th anniversary in a very big way.

Hot on the heels of FAA certification and first deliveries of its award-winning M20 Acclaim and Ovation Ultras last year, the company hasn’t stopped moving forward at blistering speed. This year’s production of both of the new M20 Ultra models is sold out, and the order book for next year’s deliveries promises to be even stronger — thanks to a unique benefit program for owners, called Fill & Fly, the company is launching at AirVenture this year. Additionally, the new M20 Ultras have just received certification from Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority, opening up sales for both new aircraft models in the region.

“70 Years of Innovation is our theme for AirVenture this year,” said Lance Phillips, marketing director at Mooney International. “But it’s so much more than a simple slogan,” he continued. “It’s actually a way of life at our factory. Mooney aircraft have stood the test of time because the craftsmen who build them are multigenerational artisans who, in many cases, have parents, neighbors, and friends who have also produced these remarkable airplanes for many years.”

But the 70-year milestone isn’t the only tie to Mooney’s rich history visitors will learn this week.

Thirty years ago, the first long-body Mooney, the M20L Porsche PFM 3200, taxied from the factory for its first delivery. The M20L was remarkable for many reasons. It was the first certified piston-engine aircraft with electronic ignition and a single-lever power control. It had dual-electrical systems, and its long body was the forerunner of the fuselage used today in the new M20 Ultras. To highlight this 30-year milestone, Mooney will be celebrating at AirVenture with Porsche, as that company is also recognizing its own 70th birthday in 2018. And to make the celebration even more memorable, Mooney has placed Porsche’s latest speed demon, a 911 GT3 RS, in its exhibit space.

But perhaps the biggest news Mooney will announce at AirVenture this year will be the launch of Fill & Fly — a first of its kind program designed to make ownership of a new Mooney easier than ever. Fill & Fly covers the costs of all consumables for three years, as well as the cost of all required inspections and regular maintenance. And this coverage is in addition to the company’s existing standard three-year warranty on engine, airframe, and avionics for every new aircraft. In addition, the Fill & Fly program also provides a $10,000 flight-training allocation for owners to use at their discretion. In sum, owners can fill their new airplane with fuel and fly it — and be worry-free when they do.

“Seventy years is certainly a very special anniversary,” said Lance. “But we’re not stopping here. We want to take ease of ownership, celebration of speed, and enjoyment of the Mooney brand to an entirely new level. Our customers deserve nothing less — and we have never been in a better position to make it happen. And just as important, I can say with great confidence that there are many, many more good things to come.”