Mooney Suspends Jetcruzer 500 Program

Advanced Aerodynamics & Structures, which completed its acquisition of the assets of bankrupt Mooney Aircraft on April 29 and changed its name to Mooney Aerospace Group, has indefinitely suspended development of the Jetcruzer 500. Following a technical review of the single-turboprop pusher for compliance with FAA certification requirements in such areas as external noise levels, weight-and-balance and spin resistance, the company decided “it would take too big an investment to finish the airplane.” Mooney Aerospace will instead concentrate on restarting the Mooney piston airplane line and acquiring other general aviation programs. Negotiations are ongoing with Century Aerospace and “a major producer of single- and twin-engine piston aircraft in the six-passenger size range,” according to chairman and CEO Roy Norris.