Al Mooney

Albert W. Mooney (12 April 1906 – 7 May 1986) was a self-taught American aircraft designer and early aviation entrepreneur.

Their father John was an engineer who designed railroad tunnels and trestles for the Denver & Rio Grande, and he taught his sons about drafting and layout.

[1] Realizing his current schooling would provide limited access to his desires, he began spending time at the Denver Public Library, where he read all the available handbooks for pilots and designers.

[1] At age 19 he was hired as an assistant to the chief engineer and draftsman at the Alexander Aircraft Company in Denver.

Finally Mooney got the chance to build the M-1 or Long Wing Eaglerock, a plane of his own design.

When Montague's finances ran out, Mooney returned to the Alexander company, where he was named chief engineer in 1928.

[1] During his time as chief engineer, Mooney was responsible for several advances in the field of aircraft design, primarily through his Bullet, a low-wing airplane with relatively high speeds and a patented retractable landing gear.

With the aircraft industry sales declining due to the onset of the great depression, Mooney decided to fly the M-5 nonstop from Glendale, California, to Long Island, New York, as a promotional feat.

However, the nonstop flight failed near Fort Wayne, Indiana, when his engine quit due to faulty welding on the fuel pump.

[5] As war enveloped the country, Culver's main focus shifted towards military drones, in which Mooney had little interest.

In 1953, the corporation's main financial backer, Al Yankey, died of a stroke before proper funding had been finalized for the M20.

Only two years after the first flight of the M20, Al left the Mooney Aircraft Company and started working at Lockheed.