MOONEY CUTS
Mooney has cut aircraft production of its high-performance piston-single family from eight to five aircraft for the remainder of 2008 and laid off 80 workers following a lower than anticipated order intake. "These decisions were made to create corporate resiliency in the present economic conditions," says Mooney chief executive Dennis Ferguson. "They will not have an adverse effect on the quality or safety of our products nor will they delay scheduled aircraft deliveries. Ferguson says Mooney will be positioned as a strong contender in the international market. "We are strengthening our business in Europe, South America and Australia. Our focus is to ensure the long-term viability of the company through prudent management and expansion of our market reach," he says
BEECHCRAFT DOWN UNDER
Australian Beechcraft distributor Hawker Pacific has delivered the first King Air C90GTi in Australia to the country's largest pilot training school, General Flying Services, in Moorabbin, Victoria. The latest member of the King Air 90 family, which offers more speed than its predecessors, the latest generation Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics and an integrated flight information system, replaces a King Air B200 at the school. The C90GTi joins a fleet of more than 60 aircraft, providing international and local pilot training.
CIRRUS HITS GREECE
Cirrus Design has opened its first sales office in Greece in an attempt to expand it fleet of general aviation aircraft across Europe. "The accelerating economy in Greece, great weather conditions and numerous island destinations provide an ideal environment for Cirrus's expansion in this market," says Cirrus managing director John Bingham. The sales centre will be based in Athens, says the company, which also planning to open a service centre in the country "in the near future".
Source: Flight International
