Back in the early 1970’s, Butler Aviation was having low sales of Mooney’s and stopped manufacturing them in 1972 and 1973. Republic Steel bought Mooney Aircraft Co. from Butler in 1974. That was the start of a pilot’s organization created by Mark Harris.

 

Mark first named the organization “International Mooney Society.” We had the first Mooney Homecoming in 1975, at the plant in Kerrville, Texas. After a few years of getting mixed up with the Mooney religious society, Mark renamed the organization “Mooney Aircraft Pilots Association” (MAPA). The mission was to publish a magazine (MAPA Log), promote social gatherings, and to sponsor a Mooney Homecoming in Kerrville once a year.

 

The MAPA Safety Foundation was founded in the late 1980’s, with a mission to promote safety, (naturally). The foundation was established with a Board of Directors separate from the MAPA Board. The mission of the Safety Foundation was to develop a training program for new Mooney owners, write articles for the MAPA Log, and fund a scholarship in the name of Al and Art Mooney. Our first Pilot Proficiency Program (PPP) was conducted in 1990 at Santa Maria, CA. The Safety foundation now conducts five PPPs per year, located in various parts of the United States.

 

MAPA’s membership grew, as popularity with the new models developed. Mark Harris established a parent company called “Association Services Corp,” and later it was called, “Associations International.” His partners were John Allen with Falcon Insurance and Tom Bradshaw with his own insurance company in Fort Worth. MAPA had a long run of service with many editors and staff. Tom Canavera, Bob Cramer, Trey and Lela Hughes were many that I was associated with. Trey came to MAPA after a career with Flight Safety, where he had a contract with Mooney to provide simulator training for new Mooney owners. Lela had been a Mooney employee for years before joining MAPA. At one time, during the late 1970’s, Mooney manufactured over 700 aircraft in one year. Some of the Safety Foundation instructors helped train new owners when the G1000 came out. Trey and Lela retired in 2018. Lela still enrolls pilots for the Safety Foundation. Over the years, all three partners have passed away, leaving MAPA with little direction or funding. MAPA has lost its members and the ability to publish a magazine.

 

Thanks to the Mooney Flyer, we can publish our PPP schedule and write articles. The Scholarship is still available to rewarding students that are United States citizens, have good grades, create a good essay, and meet all other requirements. Please plan to attend one of the Safety Foundations Pilot Proficiency Program and support our nonprofit organization.