Mooney Safety Foundation

The Mooney Safety Foundation is a non-profit organization created to improve aviation safety for Mooney aircraft pilots.^[1][2] The Mooney Aviation Company has been a leader in the design and production of general aviation aircraft through a succession of corporate entities since Albert and Arthur Mooney formed the original company in 1929.^[3][4] Their airplanes are known for efficiency and speed, producing the fastest civilian single engine piston-powered aircraft.^[5]

According to the 2009 report by the AOPA, about 72% of fixed-wing non-commercial accidents across all aircraft manufacturers are caused by pilot error.^[6] While the overlying cause of Mooney accident follows the same trend, historically, the rate of Mooney accidents are slightly lower than other aircraft in its class with about six accidents per 100 registered aircraft versus 7.7 percent for the comparison group.^[7] Given that only about 28% of the annual accidents are caused by mechanical (14%) or other factors (14%), the greatest opportunity to improve aviation safety is to improve pilot proficiency.^[6]

The Foundation was chartered in 1990 as the MAPA Safety Foundation and does business as such. While the Foundation maintains a long-lasting association with the Mooney Aircraft Pilots Association (MAPA)^[8], it began marketing itself in early 2010 as the Mooney Safety Foundation in order to become recognized by a broader audience of Mooney pilots.

Pilot Proficiency Program (PPP)

The Safety Foundation typically hosts five programs each year at various locations across the United States. Additionally, the Safety Foundation conducts PPPs in Europe every year or so.

The Pilot Proficiency Programs are conducted in two segments: ground instruction and flight instruction.

Ground Instruction

The Safety Foundation’s ground instruction methods are constantly being modified to fit the needs of the flying environment and the changing dynamics of Mooney aircraft. All attendees receive a “Training Manual” upon arrival at the Program. The Manual is a comprehensive treatise based on the Pilot’s Operating Handbooks (POH) of various iterations of the Mooney aircraft and also includes sections not covered in the POH.^[9]

Flight Instruction

The PPP flight instruction is conducted by Mooney-specific instructors who have CFII or Master CFII ratings and who own or have owned Mooney aircraft. Flight training occurs in the pilots’ own aircraft and instructors are matched based on Mooney aircraft model experience.

The intent of the flight instruction is to enrich the pilot’s understanding of the aircraft’s abilities through all phases of flight including simulated emergencies. The pilots will fly the entire flight envelope to enhance his or her proficiency. Instrument proficiency is conducted either in simulated conditions or in actual instrument meteorological conditions (weather dependent).

Upon completion of the flight instruction, the instructor debriefs the pilot on each phase of flight and discusses any remaining issues. The instructors and the pilots all complete written critiques which are used by the Safety Foundation for future program improvements.

FAA Pilot Proficiency (Wings) Program Endorsement

The entire curriculum encompasses knowledge-based and flight-based requirements of the FAA Pilot Proficiency (Wings) Program and earns the pilot 13 credits towards the Program.

Aviation Insurance Endorsements

The Mooney Safety Foundation PPP has been reviewed and endorsed by most aviation insurance programs that give a discount on insurance rates.

Governance

Nine Directors govern the organization of the Mooney Safety Foundation. The Board membership is renewed annually by a majority vote. The minimum requisite for the directors is that they be a Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) and be proficient in instructing in Mooney aircraft. The Mooney Safety Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with a tax-exempt status under the IRS code of 501,C,(3).

The Safety Foundation relies on revenue from Pilot Proficiency Programs and donations from the flying community to fund the operating costs. The directors are volunteers and do not receive any payments for their work in the foundation.

The Mooney Safety Foundations steadfastly maintains its motto of “Safety is no Accident.”^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Welcome to Mooney Safety Foundation". Mooney Safety Foundation. http://www.mooneysafety.com/. Retrieved 25 May 2011. 
2. ^ "Mooney Aviation, Inc.". Mooney Aviation, Inc.. http://www.mooney.com. Retrieved 26 May 2011. 
3. ^ Ball, Larry (1998). Those Remarkable Mooneys. Ball Publications. pp. 22–26. ISBN 0-9641514-9-9. 
4. ^ "PilotFriend Certified Aircraft Database". Mooney aircraft history. http://www.pilotfriend.com/aircraft%20performance/Mooney/mooney.htm. Retrieved 26 May 2011. 
5. ^ Twombly, Ian (September 2008). AOPA Pilot Magazine. Volume 51 / Number 9: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. http://www.classg.com/aircraft-reviews/expert/Mooney-Acclaim_Type_S-review/640/. 
6. ^ ^{a b} Landsberg, Bruce. "President". 2009 Nall Report. AOPA Air Safety Foundation. p. 9. http://www.aopa.org/asf/publications/09nall.pdf. Retrieved 8 June 2011. 
7. ^ Landsberg, Bruce (October 1995). "President, AOPA ASF". Mooney Safety Review. AOPA Air Safety Foundation. http://www.aopa.org/asf/asfarticles/sp9510.html. Retrieved 8 June 2011. 
8. ^ "Mooney Aircraft Pilots Association". Mooney Aircraft Pilots Association. http://www.mooneypilots.com. Retrieved 26 May 2011. 
9. ^ Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. Chapter 8: United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Airman Testing Standards Branch. 2008. http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/pilot_handbook/media/PHAK%20-%20Chapter%2008.pdf.