Let The Good Times Roll

Mooney Airplane Company says it's seeing record orders and deliveries for the first quarter 2005. The high-performance, single-engine airplane manufacturer recorded new orders for 13 aircraft during the first three months of 2005, exceeding its initial expectations. Based on strong first quarter 2005 results, and anticipated accelerated growth in orders throughout 2005, management anticipates total orders in 2005 could exceed last year's orders that totaled 80. During the same period, the company also delivered 20 aircraft, matching its output for the final quarter of 2004 and more than doubling the output of the first quarter 2004.

"The delivery of 16 Ovation2 GX models, three Bravo GX airplanes and an Ovation DX, coupled with the outstanding response to our nationwide Freedom Tour, have positioned Mooney to more than double our deliveries from last year in 2005," said Mooney Vice President of Sales and Marketing David Copeland in a statement to ANN. "The 'buzz' over the performance of the Bravo and Ovation2 GX airplanes has helped stimulate sales during the first quarter and we have already significantly increased the number of serious prospects and orders over the same period last year. Customers and prospects in six cities have had a chance to see the new Garmin G1000-equipped aircraft up close. They have experienced first hand the exceptional performance and versatility of these aircraft. We will be traveling around the country to more than 30 cities before the Freedom Tour ends at the annual EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh at the end of July.

"In addition, we have added new Mooney Team Representatives (MTRs) to our sales team. Rick Neely has joined us as domestic sales manager and Ronnie Smith now covers the Northeast from his base in upstate New York. USAero LLC of Long Beach, California and Aviation Unlimited of Markham, Ontario, Canada have also begun serving as Mooney sales representatives since the first of the year. These additions have already, and should continue to generate sales," Copeland added. "The Freedom Tour will also continue through the end of July and is an integral part of our aggressive sales effort that position us to maintain our backlog throughout 2005. The tour will extend into the middle of the year on the Ovations and into the fourth quarter on the Bravos."

FMI: www.mooney.com