calavi

Personally I have never picked up ice yet but I have been told if that the OAT is 5 Celcius your airframe temperature will be well below freezing. Assuming your in visible moisture ice will accumulate. Keep in mind the mooney wing as a Laminar airfoil. So it doesnt take alot of ice to lose lift, because of the thin layers of air used to produce lift. Especially if your getting clear ice or freezing rain.

Here is my 201 style panel in my 62' M20C

My 62 M20c has a useful load at 940 lbs. I have to watch the forward CG with two adults in front. But the sand bag idea in the cargo compartment seems like a good idea.