Malibu/Mirage Owners & Pilots Association

The Malibu/Mirage Owners & Pilots Association (MMOPA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the interests and safety of owners and pilots worldwide who fly PA-46 derivative (Malibu, Mirage, Meridian, JetPROP and Matrix) aircraft. MMOPA was founded in 1988, and now serves over 900 members. Membership is available to any registered or prospective owner and/or operator of qualified aircraft or any qualifying individual or organization involved with or providing a service for the PA-46 family of aircraft. MMOPA is not affiliated with the New Piper aircraft company of any other manufacturer/vendor. In 1983, Piper certified the first line of the PA-46 airframe - the 310P Malibu. By 1989, realizing the need for organization in sharing knowledge and experience, several Malibu owners had begun consulting with executive directors of existing clubs. Then, in May of that year, the first PA-46 in-flight airframe break-up occurred, followed by 5 more in 1990. Finally, on March 17th, 1991, Malibu N9112K exited a thunderstorm in pieces over Florida, causing 4 fatalities and prompting the FAA to issue Emergency AD 91-07-08, severely limiting the use of the PA-46 aircraft.Later that same year, a meeting was organized in Atlanta, GA of potential board members for a new Malibu Mirage Owners & Pilots Association. Meanwhile, an ad hoc organization called The Malibu Coalition was established to foster dialog with those at the FAA responsible for the AD. The coalition was spearheaded by an Executive Committee and represented the interests of all PA-46 pilots and owners before the FAA and the NTSB.A year later, the continued efforts of those with The Malibu Coalition paid off when the results of a Special Certification Review were announced, in which the PA-46 and autopilot were again returned to compliance with regulations. 60 recommendations from the NTSB were announced. And 4 new ADs were issued, rescinding the original. After saving the PA-46 from regulatory and financial ruin, the Malibu Coalition dissolved in 1992, donating its remaining resources to a young MMOPA whose aim it would be to defend against future threats to membership aircraft.