Announces "Mooney Mania" Incentive Program

On the opening day of AOPA Expo, Mooney Aircraft Company reasserted its claim for the world's fastest piston single. "We can at last, completely and finally, put to rest any debate about what piston single-engine airplane is the fastest: It's the Mooney Acclaim, or to be more specific and precise, the new Mooney Acclaim Type S," said David Copeland, Mooney's vice president of sales and marketing.

"We've added more than a new designation to the Acclaim; we've dramatically increased its top speed," Copeland explained. "The Type S truly stands for speed: 242 knots of speed, and increased range, all with the legendary aerodynamic purity that Mooney pilots appreciate."

Powered by a 280 hp Teledyne Continental Motors IO 550-G engine equipped with dual Kelly Aerospace turbochargers, the Acclaim will maintain sea level manifold pressure all the way to its service ceiling of 25,000 feet. The new Acclaim Type S will also feature a custom Hartzell propeller and design enhancements that improve airflow and minimize drag, providing an additional 10 knots over the top speed of 232 knots originally published in the aircraft's POH.

"Now there is no question about which airplane is faster," Copeland (above) said in regard to Mooney's closest speed competitor, the Columbia 400. "Columbia's advertising, which has consistently claimed that the 400 is -- or was -- the fastest single is not only out of date, it's out of bounds."

Copeland also addressed the announcement of Cessna's acquisition of Columbia.

"We at Mooney think that this development is a very positive one for Columbia and Cessna, as well as our industry as a whole. We believe that competition is healthy and an energizing force, and we welcome Cessna to the high-performance piston ranks.

"We're sure they will be worthy adversaries, and we fully expect that they will correct any misconceptions posed by Columbia's advertising as well," Copeland pointedly added.

Priced at $599,500, deliveries of the Acclaim Type S are forecast to commence during the first quarter of 2008.

Mooney Airplane Company also announced today the launch of Mooney Mania, a program to recognize and reward its loyal customers. "[The program is] designed to give recognition to our very loyal and passionate Mooney owners, encourage potential first time Mooney buyers, and even catch the attention of existing Mooney owners of competitive aircraft."

Under the new program, which runs until the end of the year, current Mooney owners will qualify to receive $1,000 in free fuel for each referral who signs a contract for and accepts delivery of a new Mooney aircraft.

Additionally, qualified buyers who finance their aircraft through Mooney Capital will be eligible for an interest rate of 4.99%, and Mooney will work with owners to sell their existing aircraft. Those who take advantage of this promotional rate can fly for free for 90 days with no payments due for the first three months.

"We're out to make this last quarter of 2007 another one for the Mooney history books," said Copeland.

Other incentives will be offered to Mooney owners who bring a friend to an upcoming Mooney Fall fly-in event, to be posted on Mooney's website. Additionally, each week Mooney's website will spotlight different loyal Mooney owners.

And just how loyal are Mooney owners? Ask "Mooniac" Arthur "Arty" Dowd... who will demonstrate his loyalty by getting a tattoo of the Mooney logo over his heart -- right at the Mooney exhibit on day two of AOPA Expo.

FMI: www.mooney.com/