Searching for that right Mooney

[pilot716]

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

[acronut]

This is a great place to start.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mooney_M20

Welcome aboard I don't think you'll be disapointed!

[pilot716]

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...

[jax88]

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.

[jlunseth]

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).

 

[scottfromiowa]

The G model is just a 180HP engine on the extended "F" body. Vs the 200HP engine in the F. 

[danb35]

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.

[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.

[Parker_Woodruff]

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.

[flyguy241]

Quote: Parker_Woodruff

 Yes, but if you can afford the M20J, get one.

[jax88]

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.

[pilot716]

why the J? bigger engine I assume, since all the bodies were the same? what were the "best years" for either?

[jax88]

Aerodynamic adjustments with the same engine resulted in what was advertised to be 10 knots more speed.

[flyguy241]

Quote: pilot716

why the J? bigger engine I assume, since all the bodies were the same? what were the "best years" for either?

[danb35]

Quote: pilot716

why the J? bigger engine I assume, since all the bodies were the same? what were the "best years" for either?

[pilot716]

Lots of great info! I think its making my search a little narrower now as I see some of the differences.

[GeorgePerry]

Quote: pilot716

Lots of great info! I think its making my search a little narrower now as I see some of the differences.

[pilot716]

That was one of the most informative articles on any aircraft I have read in a long time.

[GeorgePerry]

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.

[N601RX]

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/

 

[AustinChurch]

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"

[rbridges]

Quote: pilot716

Lots of great info! I think its making my search a little narrower now as I see some of the differences.

[tyrefoote]

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

[pilot716]

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".

[carusoam]

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-