AAIR Retrofit Kits Now Available

Mooney Airplane Company and AmSafe, Inc. told ANN Tuesday of the availability of AmSafe Aviation Inflatable Restraints (AAIR®) retrofit kits for Mooney airplanes. The seatbelt-mounted airbag systems are currently standard equipment on new Mooney Acclaims, Ovation 2GXs and Ovation3 aircraft. They have been offered on new Mooneys since 2004.

The retrofit kits will be available exclusively through Mooney's Authorized Service Center network, which includes more than 65 locations, worldwide.

The aircraft to which the retrofit applies are shown by model and serial number below:

• M20J: Serial number 24-1686 through 24-2999 and 24-3154 and on.
• M20K: Serial number 25-1225 and on.
• M20M: Serial number (all)
• M20R: Serial number (all)
• M20S: Serial number (all)

"We've received numerous requests to have the AmSafe AAIR systems installed in Mooney legacy aircraft," said Al Nitchman, Mooney's vice president of customer support. "We are very pleased to be able to offer these life-saving devices -- which have proven to be very popular in our new aircraft. By providing an airbag that deploys up and away from the occupant, these seatbelts offer protection similar to that available in automobiles equipped with airbags."

The system is available in three separate configurations:

• Front and back seat installation (4 places): Part number 940168-501
• Front seat only (2 places): Part number 940168-503
• Rear seat only (2 places): Part number 940168-9501 (further retrofit after front seat installation, not a stand alone)

Mooney owners wishing to order the AAIR systems can do so by contacting their Mooney Service Center and specifying the color and configuration they require: four-place or two-place, and in grey or tan. The kits pricing start at $$6,900 for 2 seats or $10,800 for four seats.

Installation will take about one week, according to the Kerrville, TX-based planemaker.

FMI: www.mooney.com, www.amsafe.com