pilot716 Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 Hey, I am in the hunt for an aircraft, I drank the Cessna Kool-aid for many years and want to look at something different. I recently flew a piper arrow but was not impressed, so I keep getting pointed towards the mooney. I was wondering which older model (late 60's-70's) has the best cabin space? I know useful load wont be that of a C182, but I like the speed and aerodynamics. I am hoping to fly in a Mooney next week and see how it feels...so any suggestions where to start? I have 300hrs, PPL SEL INST, HP/Complex. Thanks, Mark Quote
acronut Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 This is a great place to start. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mooney_M20 Welcome aboard I don't think you'll be disapointed! Quote
pilot716 Posted January 7, 2011 Author Report Posted January 7, 2011 Thanks, some good info to start from that website. Which engine does the late 70's 20F have? what are the speeds, fuel and payload. I have my eye on this version... Quote
jax88 Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 My '75 M20F has a useful load of 990lbs, carries 64 gallons of fuel, has the IO-360-A1A engine, and cruises at 140 knots at 8500 ft while burning 10.5 gph at roughly 50 degrees rich. The only modifications made to my aircraft are the lower cowl enclosure and the three bladed prop. Quote
jlunseth Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 Cabin space increased with each model except the G, which is not a step up from the F in terms of cabin space. However, in most cases the effective cabin space in Mooneys is limited more by the useful load than the number of seats or amount of leg room in the rear. If you can't get three or four adults in the plane without exceeding useful load ( and you can't) then what is the point of a large rear cabin? As a rule of thumb, this holds true for the more recent models also. People will tell you the gross weight was increased with a couple of models, and it was, but what you will find in the real world is that in most cases equipment was added, fuel flows went up, tanks became larger. So from a practical standpoint the useful load will fall in the 900-1000 lbs. range, with some in the 800 and some slightly over 1000. There are also some aircraft that, fully decked out, have useful loads in the 375-400 range. So what does a bigger cabin give you? If you are looking for a comfortable seating arrangement for the pilot, most Mooneys will give you that unless you are really big. You just sit differently (more sports-car like, feet forward on the floor) than in Cessna's (you sit higher). Quote
scottfromiowa Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 The G model is just a 180HP engine on the extended "F" body. Vs the 200HP engine in the F. Quote
danb35 Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 Quote: jlunseth Cabin space increased with each model except the G, which is not a step up from the F in terms of cabin space. Quote
pilot716 Posted January 7, 2011 Author Report Posted January 7, 2011 So that makes the F model the 200hp and best cabin space? Im not big, 170lb. but just like elbow room, have been flying a C182. Quote
Parker_Woodruff Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 Quote: pilot716 So that makes the F model the 200hp and best cabin space? Im not big, 170lb. but just like elbow room, have been flying a C182. Quote
flyguy241 Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 Quote: Parker_Woodruff Yes, but if you can afford the M20J, get one. Quote
jax88 Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 Elbow room isn't something you're going to get in a Mooney. I see no noticable difference in the shoulder to shoulder space in my F than that of the C brand aircraft I trained in. To echo the trend, get as much aircraft as you can afford. Quote
pilot716 Posted January 7, 2011 Author Report Posted January 7, 2011 why the J? bigger engine I assume, since all the bodies were the same? what were the "best years" for either? Quote
jax88 Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 Aerodynamic adjustments with the same engine resulted in what was advertised to be 10 knots more speed. Quote
flyguy241 Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 Quote: pilot716 why the J? bigger engine I assume, since all the bodies were the same? what were the "best years" for either? Quote
danb35 Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 Quote: pilot716 why the J? bigger engine I assume, since all the bodies were the same? what were the "best years" for either? Quote
pilot716 Posted January 7, 2011 Author Report Posted January 7, 2011 Lots of great info! I think its making my search a little narrower now as I see some of the differences. Quote
GeorgePerry Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 Quote: pilot716 Lots of great info! I think its making my search a little narrower now as I see some of the differences. Quote
pilot716 Posted January 7, 2011 Author Report Posted January 7, 2011 That was one of the most informative articles on any aircraft I have read in a long time. Quote
GeorgePerry Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 glad you thought it was helpful. The links within the article are also very informative. good luck with your search. If you have questions feel free to pm me. Quote
N601RX Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 Go here and click on sample articles. Scroll down to the different models and you will find good writeups about each. http://www.mooneypilots.com/ Quote
AustinChurch Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 At 170lbs, you'll fit just fine! I'm 5'11", 215lbs and a buddy of mine, who flys with me often, is 6'2", 280lbs and he and I fit pretty well. Granted, our shoulders are against each other, but no big deal. Here is a cabin dimension comparison: Aircraft Cabin Width Cabin Height Mooney 201 43.5" 44.5" Beechcraft V35 Bonanza 42.0" 50.0" Cessna 182 42.0" 48.0" Piper Arrow 41.0" 45.0" Quote
rbridges Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 Quote: pilot716 Lots of great info! I think its making my search a little narrower now as I see some of the differences. Quote
tyrefoote Posted January 8, 2011 Report Posted January 8, 2011 I think George deserves great credit for all his posts as I have learned so much from this website. One thing that helped me in determining market value of mooney A/C has been MAPA LOG magazine. Jimmy Garrison of All American contributes with market analysis of various models and his valuations are Mooney specific and more detailed than V-ref. Best of luck Ty Quote
pilot716 Posted January 8, 2011 Author Report Posted January 8, 2011 George sure does deserve a lot of credit for his informative writing. I did PM him and thank him. Well the J model is probably what I am looking at, so I have certainly narrowed my search. This week I hope to fly in a "C" model just for the feel. still looking for someone or a flight school nearby that has a "J". Quote
carusoam Posted January 8, 2011 Report Posted January 8, 2011 Mark, Sorry I am late to the party... Since you are in Staten Island, have you considered a short trip over to Robbinsville? Dave Mathiesen at Air-Mods and Repairs is our local Mooney Service Center (MSC). There are always 5 - 10 mooneys there getting annuals, mods, rebuilds, and training. It's the east coast version of Mooney Mecca, and you're not that far away. Use caution though, one of our newest members (Leesh) visited Robbinsville and was a Mooney M20F owner a week later. Search on Leesh for some of her observations.... http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?page=2&mainaction=posts&forumid=2&threadid=1878 Best regards, -a- Quote
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