Mooney M20

M20 family
Mooney M20J
Role	Personal use civil aircraft
Manufacturer	Mooney Airplane Company
Designer	Al Mooney
First flight	1955
Introduction	1955
Status	In production (2016)
Produced	1955–2008, 2014–present[1]
Number built	>11,000
Unit cost	USD$769,000 (2016 model Mooney Acclaim) [2]

The Mooney M20 is a family of piston-powered, propeller-driven general aviation aircraft, all featuring low wings and tricycle gear, manufactured by the Mooney Airplane Company.^[3][4][5]

The M20 was the 20th design from Al Mooney, and his most successful. The series has been produced in many variations over the last 60 years, from the wooden-wing M20 and M20A models of 1955,^[5] to the M20V Acclaim Ultra that debuted in 2016. Roughly 12,000 aircraft in total have been produced.

On November 5, 2008, the company announced that it was halting all production as a result of the late-2000s recession, but would still provide parts and support for the existing fleet.^[1][6][7][8]

With the injection of Chinese capital after the company's purchase, production of the M20 resumed in February 2014, and since then, has released two more M20 models as well as two all-new M10 models.^[9]

Development

The Mooney M20 series has been produced in three fuselage lengths: the "short-body" (M20 through M20E), "medium-body" (M20F through M20K), and "long-body" (M20L through M20V). Although all M20s have four seats, the fuselage length increase provided more rear passenger legroom, but with a slight performance decrease. Other airplane improvements over the years in most cases more than compensated for the effects of a longer fuselage; for a similar engine and vintage, for instance, the shorter-fuselage model is faster, e.g., M20E vs M20F.

In July 2008, Mooney signed a memorandum of understanding with Rolls-Royce to develop a version of the M20 that was to have been powered by the Rolls-Royce RR500 TP turboprop powerplant. The project was announced as being a joint "marketing investigation" and "exploration project", but does not appear to have come to fruition.^[10]

Design

With the exception of the wooden wings and tails of the original M20 and M20A, M20s are all-metal, low-wing aircraft. The wings are of cantilever construction, consisting of a main spar and an auxiliary spar that extends from the fuselage to the middle position of the flaps. The wing skin is aluminum which is flush-riveted in many areas to reduce parasitic drag. Slotted flaps cover 70% of the trailing edge. The earliest models (prior to 1963) have manual flaps. Later models use a hydraulic hand pump to control the flaps while even-later models have electrically operated flaps. The forward fuselage has a steel tube cabin structure covered in aluminum skin, while the aft fuselage is of semi-monocoque design.

The tricycle landing gear legs of the Mooney M20 models are made of heat-treated chrome-molybdenum steel. The main gear legs are attached to the main wing spar, while the nose gear is mounted onto the steel cabin frame. Rubber discs, as well as spring steel, around the legs allow for compression and shock absorption on landing. Except for the fixed-gear M20D, the nosewheel retracts rearwards and the main wheels retract towards the fuselage. Early models use a hand-operated lever system to raise and lower the gear. Later models use an electrically operated landing gear retraction system with a backup crank-operated or wire-pull gear extender.

The Mooney M20 has medium aspect-ratio tapered wings, incorporating 1.5° of washout and 5.5° of dihedral. On the M20J, navigation and anti-collision lights are located inside an aerodynamically designed cover at the wingtips to further eliminate drag. Later M20s are equipped with stall strips to improve the stall characteristics.

The empennage of the Mooney M20 is easily recognizable by its unique tail fin with a vertical leading edge. (The tail fin looks as though it is "leaning forward", but it is approximately vertical in level flight, depending on trim setting.) The horizontal tailplane, which consists of fixed stabilizers and trailing elevators, has no trim tabs. The entire tail assembly pivots at the rear of the fuselage to provide pitch trim.^[11]

All M20s store fuel in two separate "wet wing" tanks, which are located in the inboard sections of each wing. Fuel is driven from the tank to the injectors or carburetor by an engine-driven pump, backed up with an electric boost pump.^[11] Deterioration of the wing tank sealant can be a problem, leading to expensive rework of the tanks. A modification is available to install rubber bladders inside the existing tanks.

For increased power many M20s also have a ram-air induction system, called the Mooney "Power Boost". For normal operations, the intake air is filtered before it enters the induction system. When ram air is selected, partially unfiltered air will enter the induction system with a higher pressure and consequently the manifold pressure will increase about a full pound per square inch when flying at 7500 feet above mean sea level, giving a greater power output.^[11] The turbocharged variants omit this feature, as the turbocharger provides a far greater increase in manifold pressure.

Variants

M20

The original M20 received its type certificate on August 24, 1955 and production lasted until 1958 with a total production run of 200 units.^[12] Both the M20 and M20A have wings and empennage made of wood covered with cloth, but are otherwise similar to later all-metal models. ^[5][13][12]

Early in the model's history, several incidents of wooden tails breaking up in flight occurred due to water damage and the resulting rot. Consequently, most tails have now been replaced with all-metal copies, as required by Mooney Service Bulletin M20-170A and the FAA Airworthiness Directive 86-19-10. Without the possibility of metal fatigue, the wooden wing has an indefinite life expectancy and is considered by some pilots to provide a smoother ride in turbulence.^[14][15]

M20A

The M20A followed on February 13, 1958 with the only change being powered by the more powerful 180hp Lycoming O-360. Production ran from 1958-1960 with a total output of 499 airframes.

M20B

The M20B was type-certified on December 14, 1960 and powered with the 180 hp (130 kW) O-360-A1A or A1D engine.^[12]

M20C Ranger

In 1962, Mooney made further incremental improvements to the M20B and named it the M20C Ranger. Major changes from the M20B includes greater deflection on control surfaces, reduced the cowl flap opening for greater engine cooling, improved exhaust scavenging with a Hanlon & Wilson exhaust system, new battery access door, more powerful landing light, lightweight floor, increased gross weight to 2575lbs, lighter empty weight, new instrument panel layout, and increased wing flap angles to 33 degrees.^[3][13]

The M20C was type-certified on October 20, 1961, with the 180-hp O-360-A1A or A1D engine, with a final production run of 2,422 units ending in 1978.^[12]

M20D Master

In 1963, Mooney introduced the M20D Master,^[13] essentially an M20C with fixed gear and a fixed-pitch propeller. It was designed as a trainer to compete with the Piper Cherokee 180 as a 180-horsepower, 4-place aircraft designed to give owners the benefit of lower insurance and experience of a fixed gear, with the option of a factory-installed retractable landing gear system when the owner was ready to upgrade to higher cruise speeds.^[3][5]

The M20D was type-certified on 15 October 1962, with the 180-hp O-360-A1D or A2D engine.^[12] Many M20Ds have been converted to the M20C model, and may appear in registration records as M20D/C. With only 160 units made between 1963 and 1966, less than 100 remain airworthy with only three units known to retain the fixed gear.

M20E Chaparral

The first truly high-performance Mooney, the M20E, was produced from 1964 to 1975 and marketed as the Chaparral and Super 21.^[3][13]

The M20E was essentially an M20C with a more powerful 200 hp (150 kW) fuel-injected engine.^[5] It was type-certified on September 4, 1963, with production beginning in 1964 and ending in 1975 with a total production run of 1,478 airframes. It was powered by the 200hp Lycoming IO-360-A1A engine and is the fastest of all the short-body designs.^[12]

Turbonormalizing, which maintains engine performance at higher altitudes, was available as an aftermarket option for the M20E, F, and J. It was offered as a kit by M-20 Turbos of Boca Raton, Florida, but is no longer available.^[16]

M20F Executive

In 1966, Mooney stretched the fuselage by one inch and the cabin by 10 inches and added a third fuselage side window with the M20F Executive 21, which ended production in 1977, with a total production run of 1,112 airframes. ^{[3][13] [5]}

The M20F was type-certified on July 25, 1965 with the 200 hp (150 kW) Lycoming IO-360-A1A engine.

M20G Statesman

The M20G was the same extended fuselage of the M20F, but with the less-powerful 180hp O-360-A1D engine from the M20C fitted. With the larger airframe and less-powerful engine, the M20G was the slowest of all models Mooney has produced (with exception of the fixed-gear M20D Master variants) and as such, was only produced for three years, from 1968-1970, with a total production run of 190 airframes. The M20G was type certified in November 13, 1967.

M20J 201

Mooney hired Roy LoPresti to undertake an aerodynamic cleanup of the M20F, resulting in the 1977 model year debut of the M20J. The M20J was marketed under the name Mooney 201 because of its 201 mph (323 km/h) top speed in level flight. The M20J first flew in September 1976, and was type-certified on September 27, 1976. It is equipped with the 200-hp IO-360-A1B6D, -A3B6D or -A3B6 engine.^{[3][5][13][12]} Besides the more sloped windshield, the M20J and F can be differentiated from the earlier models by their longer rear windows in place of the rear two windows of the M20F.

M20K 231

Up through the M20J, all Mooney M20s had four-cylinder Lycoming engines. After designing the M20J, Mooney modified the basic design to include a variety of more powerful six-cylinder engines, including some models with turbocharged engines. The first such design was the turbocharged M20K, which was produced between 1979 and 1998.^[5][13]

The M20K was marketed as the Mooney 231. This model's Continental TSI0-360-GB engine required specific pilot training and modified takeoff and climb procedures to operate at acceptable engine temperatures in hot weather, so by 1986, it was replaced with an intercooled TSIO-360-MB engine, reducing the temperature problems and achieving a top speed of 252 mph (406 km/h) in level flight (at FL 280). This subvariant of the M20K was marketed as the Mooney 252.^[3][13]

The M20K was type-certified on November 16, 1978. It is equipped with the Continental TSIO-360-GB1 -GB3, -GB4, -LB1, -MB1, -MB2 or -SB engines. All produce 210 hp (160 kW), except the SB used in the M20K Encore, which produces 220 hp (160 kW).^[12]

M20L

In 1988 Mooney, went to even greater lengths, partnering with Porsche to include their geared single-lever Porsche PFM 3200 N03 engine, derived from the 911 Carerra engine of 217 hp (162 kW) and stretching the fuselage for the last time to produce the first long-body M20. The maximum speed with this configuration was 161 kn (298 km/h).^[17] Most M20Ls no longer use this unique engine, as factory support ceased in 2005.^[18] M20L production ended in 1990. This model was marketed as the Mooney PFM.^[13]

The M20L achieved type certification on February 25, 1988.^[12]

M20M Bravo

The M20M (1989–2006) boosted output initially to 270 hp (200 kW) and was also turbocharged. The M20R (1994–) started at 280 hp (210 kW) and was normally aspirated. With minor changes in engine output (e.g. the M20S "Eagle") and various performance tweaks, these two basic models (both high power, both with long bodies, one with turbocharging) are known as the "Bravo" and "Ovation".^[13]

The M20M was type-certified on 28 June 1989, and is equipped with the 270-hp Lycoming TIO-540-AF1A or -AF1B.^[12]

M20R Ovation

Introduced in 1994, the M20R Ovation mated a long-body fuselage to a Continental IO-550-G normally aspirated powerplant of 280 hp (210 kW). This model was named Flying Magazine's single-engine plane of the year in 1994.^[13]

The M20R was type certified on June 30, 1994, and is equipped with the 280 hp (210 kW) Continental IO-550-G(5), -G(6) or -G(7) engine.^[12]

M20S Eagle

The M20S introduced in 1999 was powered by a Continental IO-550-G engine of 244 hp (182 kW). In 2001, the Eagle 2 was introduced. This model included such refinements as a three-bladed propeller, a 100 lb (45 kg) gross weight increase and a standard leather interior.^[13]

The M20S was type-certified on February 7, 1999, and is equipped with the 244 hp (182 kW) IO-550-G(6) engine.^[12]

M20T Predator

The M20T Predator, a canopy-equipped version of the basic M20 design powered by a Lycoming AEIO-540 engine, was Mooney's entrant in the USAF Enhanced Flight Screener competition. The prototype, built in 1991, displayed in a tiger-stripe paint scheme. The contract was won by the ill-fated Slingsby T-67 Firefly, and the M20T was not developed or certified. The sole prototype, registered N20XT, was flown in the Experimental - Market Survey category and was still owned by Mooney Aircraft in 2013, although its registration had expired November 30, 2013.^[12][19][20]

M20TN Acclaim

The M20TN Acclaim is the latest version of the M20 design produced, and is powered by a turbonormalized Continental TSI0-550-G powerplant with twin turbochargers and dual intercoolers. The Acclaim replaced the Mooney M20M Bravo in the company product line.^[12][21]

The M20TN was type-certified on October 15, 2006. and is equipped with the 280-hp TSIO-550-G(1), -G(2), -G(3) or -G(4) engine.^[12]

M20U Ovation Ultra

The M20U Ovation is a development of the M20R Ovation that first flew on the 4 June 2016, with a pilot side access door and a composite shell forward fuselage, replacing aluminum skin.^[22]

M20V Acclaim Ultra

The M20V Acclaim Ultra is a development of the M20TN Acclaim introduced in February 2016, with a pilot side access door and a composite shell forward fuselage, replacing aluminum skin.^[22]

Modifications

Mooneys derive their performance from a clean airframe with drag reduced by refinements over the years. Many of these refinements are supplemental type certificate (STC) modifications to the airframe developed by aftermarket businesses. Some of these modifications have been incorporated into the factory production models.

Rocket 305

In 1990, Rocket Engineering Corp. of Spokane, Washington, modified an M20K 231 model by replacing the standard turbocharged 210 hp (160 kW) Continental TSIO-360 engine and two-blade propeller with a turbocharged 305 hp (227 kW) Continental TSIO-520-NB and a McCauley three-blade propeller. This engine and propeller combination had previously been proven on the twin-engined Cessna 340 and Cessna 414. Marketed as the Rocket 305, this variant delivered a 228-knot speed and 1,600 feet/minute rate of climb.^[23] This significantly increased performance, but at the expense of higher fuel consumption.

The 305 Rocket STC represented a  2 ¹⁄₂ year certification effort, including 1,000 flight test hours. The plane passed all FAA flight test requirements, including spin, flutter, load, cooling, and noise tests. The STC covered both the 231 and 252 M20K variants. While the 231 and 252 had a maximum certified altitude of 24,000 ft (7,300 m) and 28,000 ft (8,500 m), respectively, the engineering goal of the Rocket 305 was certification for a maximum altitude of 31,000 ft (9,500 m). Extending the altitude in the STC was abandoned due to cost/benefit considerations versus the difficulty of demonstrating compliance with the FAA requirements, plus required changes to the supplemental oxygen systems in this non-pressurized aircraft. The aircraft will, however, climb at nearly 1,000 ft/min above 24,000 ft (7,300 m). The Rocket conversion was discontinued by Rocket Engineering.^[24] The production-version Mooney Acclaim now delivers faster speeds. As Rockets are available in the used market for about one-third the cost of a new Acclaim, it maintains its popularity among a small market niche.

Aircraft on display

The Mooney Super M20E is the aircraft most closely associated with Robin Miller, an Australian female pilot known as the "Sugar Bird Lady" for her work in distributing the polio vaccine across Australia.

Specifications (2007 Mooney M20TN Acclaim)

Data from Mooney Website^[25]

General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Capacity: three passengers
• Length: 26 ft 9 in (8.15 m)
• Wingspan: 36 ft 5 in (11.1 m)
• Height: 8 ft 4 in (2.5 m)
• Wing area: 175.7 sq ft (16.3 m²)
• Airfoil: NACA 63-215
• Empty weight: 2370 lb (1074 kg)
• Useful load: 1004 lb (454 kg)
• Loaded weight: 3374 lb (1528 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 3374 lb (1528 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Continental TSIO-550-G Turbo-normalized with twin turbo and dual intercoolers air-cooled, 6-cylinder, horizontally opposed piston engine, 280 hp (209 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 242 knots (278 mph, 448 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 237 knots (272 mph, 438 km/h)
• Stall speed: 53 knots (61 mph, 98 km/h)
• Range: 1445 nm (std tanks) (1662 mi, 2676 km)
• Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7625 m)
• Rate of climb: 1240 ft/min (378 m/min)
• Wing loading: 19.2 lb/ft² (96 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 12.0 lb/hp (0.11 kW/kg)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Beechcraft Bonanza

References

Bibliography

• Baxter, G, The Al Mooney Story - They All Fly Through The Same Air, Shearer Publishing, Fredericksburg, Texas, 1985
• Robson D, Aircraft General Knowledge and Aerodynamics, Aviation Theory Centre, Victoria, 2001
• Eric Broumand Nesbit Evans, Dynamics of flight, stability and control McGraw (Chi Migi) 2005
• Mooney 201 Handbook, Mooney Aircraft Company, Texas, 1981
• Mooney M20J Pilots Operating Handbook, Mooney Aircraft Company, Texas, 1983
• Frawley, G, International directory of Civil Aircraft, Aerospace Publications, ACT, 1999
• Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1981-1982, Jane's Information Group, U.S.A., 1981
• AOPA Air Safety Foundation, Mooney Aircraft Safety Review, AOPA, U.S.A., 1991
• Bonds, R, A Century of Flight, Salamander Books Ltd, London, 2003
• Professor Munib Kirdoggy Sagpur, Flight Dynamics, East Fremantle AOPA Publishing, 1995

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mooney M20.

• Mooney Model Chronology (1948-2006)
• The Al Mooney Story: They All Fly Through the Same Air
• FAA aircraft type certificate
• M20TN Acclaim Type S