Okay, I’m learning from other writers on the forum how to put a catchy headline on my post.
I find it interesting that in what is now undoubtedly a real slump in aviation sales, Cirrus appears to be piling up the orders. It would seem to suggest that the original thought behind the SRXX, which was give new buyers something better and they will come, is right on the money (or mooney if you will)
To that end, I not only believe that Cirrus will triumph, I believe Eclipse will also. Perhaps we should get a bunch of people from this board together and invest in an Eclipse to lease to the execujets of the world. Or better, maybe someone reading this has enough spare time to put together that air-taxi service. Start in and around the bay area.
Count me in as an ‘Idea man’ - if not one with major resources. Anyone got some spare cash?
Dean
I met a fellow today at Oshkosh who just took delivery of a new Mooney Ovation ($430,000) last week. He was at the Mooney display when the Chapter 11 news came out. He was very upset and said he will dump the Mooney and buy a Cirrus. I feel bad for the employees of Mooney, but what have they been doing for the past 6 years since the Cirrus was introduced? As of now, Cirrus is the only single engine piston aircraft aircraft company with a backlog. By late Winter, Cirrus will pass Cessna in deliveries and has already passed Piper. Walking around the show here in Oshkosh clearly showed most of the interest was at the Cirrus display. I sure am glad I ordered a Cirrus 5 years ago.
Denis
I am very sorry to hear about Mooney. Mostly for its employees, but also for owners of its aircraft. I hope Mooney will be able to emerge a viable, competitive company.
Clearly the Cirrus and Lancair products are part of Mooney’s demise, but I am sure not nearly all of it.
What has been happening in the industry is a confluence of forces. First, there is a natural evolution, or at least economic darwinism, which is bringing buyers to a product which is perceived to be superior, and away from the products whih have failed to keep up. No one truly knows how many potential Mooney buyers queued up for the “C’s” & “L’s”. I think most of owners and buyers on this site see it that way. But, I think the economy & perhaps bad management had to hurt them as well.
Hopefully, our good friends at Cirrus will see what is happening and continue to innovate. Sitting on past sucesses leads in only one direction.
It is with these thoughts that I think most of us complain about the lack of responsiveness of ARNAV, or THEIR failure to bring new product to the market in a timely fashion and keep ahead of the competition.
I hope we all remember that we all have a vested interest in Cirrus, and I hope they remember that they are only as good as the last aircraft off the assemblyy line.
Marty
I met a fellow today at Oshkosh who just took delivery of a new Mooney Ovation ($430,000) last week. He was at the Mooney display when the Chapter 11 news came out. He was very upset and said he will dump the Mooney and buy a Cirrus.
While I am always happy to see Cirrus get another customer at the expense of its competitors, I think the Mooney customer’s reaction is a bit overwrought. In many cases Chapter 11 is a way to escape from one’s creditors, pay them off at pennies on the dollar, and keep your business going, albeit in some sort of “reorganized” form. I rather suspect Mooney and its planes will be around for a good while longer, even if someone else owns them. They are good designs and perform well, although quite expensive!
Cirrus is the only single engine piston aircraft aircraft company with a backlog
Have you tried to buy a Lancair Columbia 300 or a Diamond 180 lately?
I am sorry about Mooney.
Those are great airplanes and the only ones that were efficient (fast for the HP) I had a M20K and love it. Two of my friends are turing the country on their 2 weeks old Ovation II.
One more will be doing the same very soon. People are seeing the SR20/22 and soon wont be buying anything else but Cirrus and Lancairs, there will be a few that will purchase others until they will go under. It is sad, but everyone had the opportunity to improve on what they have and they didn’t. Cessna is hurting, and they should. Aircraft manufactories should know that airplanes need speed, putting a bigger engine does not do the trick. Mooney was the best, and it has never lost a wing, I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count the ones piper lost. Congrats to you all for having such a good taste and making the correct purchase… Have a great Cirrus soon to be day… Fly safe and stay away from hard objets.
Cheers,
Woor
I met a fellow today at Oshkosh who just took delivery of a new Mooney Ovation ($430,000) last week. He was at the Mooney display when the Chapter 11 news came out. He was very upset and said he will dump the Mooney and buy a Cirrus. I feel bad for the employees of Mooney, but what have they been doing for the past 6 years since the Cirrus was introduced? As of now, Cirrus is the only single engine piston aircraft aircraft company with a backlog. By late Winter, Cirrus will pass Cessna in deliveries and has already passed Piper. Walking around the show here in Oshkosh clearly showed most of the interest was at the Cirrus display. I sure am glad I ordered a Cirrus 5 years ago.
Denis
I met a fellow today at Oshkosh who just took delivery of a new Mooney Ovation ($430,000) last week. He was at the Mooney display when the Chapter 11 news came out. He was very upset and said he will dump the Mooney and buy a Cirrus.
While I am always happy to see Cirrus get another customer at the expense of its competitors, I think the Mooney customer’s reaction is a bit overwrought. In many cases Chapter 11 is a way to escape from one’s creditors, pay them off at pennies on the dollar, and keep your business going, albeit in some sort of “reorganized” form. I rather suspect Mooney and its planes will be around for a good while longer, even if someone else owns them. They are good designs and perform well, although quite expensive!
Although I am a fan of the current composite panes on the market(lancair, cirrus, diamond), I think that it is unfortunate that any airplane corp goes belly up. For no other reason that there is and will be a great need in the future to maintain as much competition in the marketplace.
Does anybody think that the current residual manufacturers wouldn’t jack up prices if they could. Or wouldn’t tend to be less responsive to customer complaints. Or would be complacent about new product design? Forgive my cynicism, but the current residual airplane corps will be or already are in the same boat (for profit corporations whose primary goal is return on capital).
My hope is that the three composite corps. stay financially viable and that the majors start bringing out composite planes-- and everyone stays customer fiscally, service and product design friendly.
thanks. bill w.