Bravo Performance

[BillC]

I'm looking at a 91 Bravo. The performance figures show impressive speeds for the flight levels but I operate at 8000-11000'. (I carry dogs). Would any of the Bravo owners tell me what your true airspeed and fuel burn is at those altitudes?

Thanks,

Bill

[Danb]

My Bravo at 8000 ft. Provides about 180 knots , depending on weight, temp, etc. about 185 at 10000 ft.fuel burns approximate 18 gph.

[BillC]

Thank you Dan. Nice speed. I'll just have to get used to the fuel burn.

[jfdez]

It also depends on whether you have AC or TKS as that has some penalties.  I get about 180 at 10,000 or 178 at 8000, LOP 15.6 Gal/per hour, 185, ROP about 20 Gals/hr.  TKS bird.

[philiplane]

190 KTAS at 8000 feet on 21 GPH.

[Skywarrior]

My numbers are about the same as these other folks.

[LANCECASPER]

  On 10/22/2014 at 10:57 PM, BillC said:

I'm looking at a 91 Bravo. The performance figures show impressive speeds for the flight levels but I operate at 8000-11000'. (I carry dogs). Would any of the Bravo owners tell me what your true airspeed and fuel burn is at those altitudes?

Thanks,

Bill

 

If you're flying at those altitudes an Ovation probably makes more sense. No added turbo charger expense (cheaper annuals), lower fuel burn and the same speed at those altitudes. Plus all of the Ovations have the nice Fiberglass side panel interiors. Early Bravos didn't have that until '95.

[carusoam]

Os can use shorter T/O distances if you need to use shorter runways... 260hp vs 280 or 310hp...

Join the Long Body team!

Best regards,

-a-

[JohnB]

  On 10/22/2014 at 10:57 PM, BillC said:

I'm looking at a 91 Bravo. The performance figures show impressive speeds for the flight levels but I operate at 8000-11000'. (I carry dogs). Would any of the Bravo owners tell me what your true airspeed and fuel burn is at those altitudes?

Thanks,

Bill

Bill,

 

Get the Bravo if you can. I carry dogs for pilots and paws all of the time, can fit lots of animals in my Bravo, and I travel loaded between 8 and 10k usually, but i come back at 14k-18k usually, which gets me well over 205 kts ground speed on the way back. Nice to see another transporter around!!

 

John

[carqwik]

At those altitudes, the Ovation is a better pick.  The Bravo shines in the mid- to high-teens where 200 kts becomes a reality.  At 10k, the speed/fuel flow tradeoff is less than ideal....well, the Ovation is simply faster on less fuel....

 

Btw, I probably have a slightly slower Bravo...I see about 175 kts on 18+ gph at 10k....

[Danb]

John I agree for reasons of flight safety, I was coming home from Detroit Tuesday and filed for 5000' seems dumb but was due to ice even if one has Fiki still a major concern...got some good pireps that above 16000 it was dry even though when I got there still hard IFR I trucked up to 21000 average climb from 5000 to 21000 about 1000 rpm (still on flight aware)...and I was in cruise climb at 125 knots. When you need a turbo it's there you get over a lot of stuff and can see a lot of build ups at fLs 20 to Fl 250.....I generally do not fly up there but it's nice to have in your pocket. Not to start a debate but Inwould have cancelled the trip if I still had my J model or an Ovation for that fact. matter,Even though I love both those planes Mooneys fleet has a lot of differing options..btw at 21000 ft I trued 208 burning 17 gph..I like most Bravos can't fly LOP.

[kmyfm20s]

  On 10/23/2014 at 11:30 AM, Danb said:

John I agree for reasons of flight safety, I was coming home from Detroit Tuesday and filed for 5000' seems dumb but was due to ice even if one has Fiki still a major concern...got some good pireps that above 16000 it was dry even though when I got there still hard IFR I trucked up to 21000 average climb from 5000 to 21000 about 1000 rpm (still on flight aware)...and I was in cruise climb at 125 knots. When you need a turbo it's there you get over a lot of stuff and can see a lot of build ups at fLs 20 to Fl 250.....I generally do not fly up there but it's nice to have in your pocket. Not to start a debate but Inwould have cancelled the trip if I still had my J model or an Ovation for that fact. matter,Even though I love both those planes Mooneys fleet has a lot of differing options..btw at 21000 ft I trued 208 burning 17 gph..I like most Bravos can't fly LOP.

I don't his dog would have enjoyed that trip:)

[aviatoreb]

  On 10/23/2014 at 2:24 PM, kmyfm20s said:

I don't his dog would have enjoyed that trip:)

 

So when are we going to have that pressurized turbine mooney available to buy?

[FlyDave]

At 17,500' my 1989 Bravo (no TKS) trues out at 198 KTAS on 18.5 gph and 190 KTAS on 16.5 gph. Take off 2 knots per 1,000' lower and add 2 knots per 1,000' higher.

The Bravo is an amazing airplane. The ability to climb effortlessly into the flight levels (I've only been to FL210) is amazing and the tailwinds can really push you GS up there.

[JohnB]

Ice dogs? Hah. I'm still working out hooking up my dogs to some O2, so we can go more places. Looking into the Aerox mask which is apparently certified I think to around 25k or some ridiculously high number for dogs.

But if all of your flights are going to be less than 11k, turbo won't be necessary and you'll get better range and economy from an Ovation or a J.

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[M20F]

Would echo the comments that an Ovation would be a much better choice imho if you are very rarely or never going to be flying higher then 9000ft.

[Hank]

  On 10/23/2014 at 3:30 PM, JohnB said:

But if all of your flights are going to be less than 11k, turbo won't be necessary and you'll get better range and economy from an Ovation or a J.

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Man, you Bravo guys are making my wallet hurt! At 185 knots and 20 gph, you're getting 32% more speed on 122% more fuel? You do carry more, though, at least in cubic feet. I always run out of space before useful load unless I'm taking 4 adults. The joys of a short body.

Fly high and think about us poor souls slogging through the clouds below you. :-)

[JohnB]

It's not 20 gph, we burn 18.5... Big difference! Hah hah! Not! Yes I know we'll never beat a Js efficiency at 9.5 gph (well except for on taxi, we probably get better than 9.5) but our birds are happiest higher. But if you're not going to take advantage of going higher, you will go a little faster, but burn a lot more fuel.

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[Piloto]

Just get a dog oxygen mask and problem solved.

 

[kmyfm20s]

Swedish snout enlarger?

[DAVIDWH]

Concerning the question about when pressurized Mooney will be available? 

 

They are still somewhat available, but I doubt Mooney will go down that track again as the company lost money on every sale.

 

Anyway for the brave of heart:

 

1969 pressurized Mooney Mustang, 1-800-516-1758, Low time $135,000 (Fla. location)

 

Caution, no factory landing gear parts available!!