Richard Zephro & son Sean 2007

(my brother says that I am getting more chins than a Chinese phone book! Thanks Ted!)

Daddy Z and son Sean

Doctored photo courtesy of friend and customer Paul Eaton :o)

Richard Zephro, a pilot of 36 years has logged about 5000 hours.  Of these, 4000+ hours are in Mooney’s.  Rich has a passion for flying and 18 years ago he was able to turn that passion into a fulfilling career. 

Dealing in Mooney's - his favorite airplane.

Richard's time proven experience will help guide you down the path to aircraft ownership.

In fact, Coast to Coast Aircraft  deals exclusively with Mooney’s. They are all we do.

Rich's passion for Mooney's began with his first flight in a Mooney in 1974.  After that flight, he knew he had to have one, above all other competitors.  see "why a Mooney"

He loved the way he felt a part of the airplane; with a steel roll cage that surrounding him providing a sense of extra security, as other manufacturers lack this.  Not long after, Rich purchased his first beloved Mooney, a 1965 M20-E model.

Then, in 1988, he decided to take his passion one step further and Coast to Coast Aircraft Sales was born.  Rich has never lost his love of flight, and especially, the Mooney.  In speaking with him, you will soon learn his enthusiasm is contagious.

Now he helps others experience the joys of owning one of the safest, fastest, most reliable, and economical single engine aircraft around.  His personal involvement with his customers and his dedication to their specific needs has allowed Rich to keep in touch with his customers long after the sale. Most continue to call on him for advice on where to find a particular part, or the best places to go to purchase avionics and other items. There have been many owners who have saved a lot of money by getting Rich’s advice on purchases being considered. This free advice is a favorite of his customers,  especially first time Mooney owners. They appreciate having a sounding board to run things by and to discuss the pro’s and con’s of a particular item or upgrade.

Bottom line: We at Coast to Coast Aircraft do our very best to provide good service before as well as after the sale. Try us!

Of course, Rich did have a life before embarking on his favorite pastime fulltime!

Richard's sales career really began in 1966 upon being hired by Paramount Pictures; previously he was a theatre manager for National General Theatres. 

With National General, now Mann Theatres, Richard came up the ranks as an Assistant Manager for Fox Village Theatre in Westwood Village, California.  Then went on to Day Manager for the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.  Rich then became a full Manager for the Fox Venice Theatre. 

In 1966, Paramount Pictures offered Richard a position in sales. Coming up through the ranks, Richard distributed such films as Godfather, Love Story, Lady Sings the Blues, and many other top grossing films. Quote from Hollywood "FIRM" discussions:

James Jaeger

Jews vs. Italians
subject: zephro
4:07 pm Saturday June 12, 1999

My comments? There were two power houses at Paramount in the old days that are not mentioned at the above names perhaps because of being Italian decent. Only so much reign is given to "gentiles" in the motion picture business. I'll tell you the truth...the real balls belong to the Italians!

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In 1973, Richard became the Western U.S. Sales Manager for Bryanston Pictures, and was involved in the marketing of such films as Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Andy Warhol's Frankenstein, Chuck Norris' first movie; Return of the Dragon, starring Bruce Lee. 

Richard got to know pop star Michael Jackson from his work on the movie "The Wiz" with Diana Ross. They remained friends for many years, and Richard had input to Michael's career video choices during his explosion to stardom with the advent of Thriller. 

It was the love of aviation that, the then new pilot, decided to leave California in order to pursue his real passion- aviation. In all of his life, there has been nothing as rewarding as his experience and career in aviation.

Liana Estes                                

LIANA is Richard's S.O. and "right hand man" through it all, and somehow puts up with Richard's and his children's antics. When you telephone Mooneyland, chances are you will have an opportunity to speak with Liana. Richard was flying an F model Mooney being brought back from Kentucky to market for a customer on Thanksgiving of 2003 when the engine quit cold! That was Liana's first flight in a small plane! Well, we had to fly right through some small trees to make the runway, hit the runway abutment and then bounced 10' in the air, but we made it! Gotta love that Mooney glide ratio! Old style fuel injector servo was the culprit. Liana is a trooper (or dumb) and was ready for the next flight. She's yelling "trouper, not dumb" at this point, and she really was/is a trouper that is! Liana is the type of person that when she's dedicated, she's dedicated, and I for one appreciate everything she does for us and she is definitely a family member to value! We love and appreciate you Liana Banana!