Long Range Ovations and WnB

[Urs_Wildermuth]

Just wondering. Range has always been something I like in an airplane, my "C" Model does not really deliver on that, 600 NM would be the furthest I'd comfortably go with the 52 USG tanks. I've been thinking of adding Monroys, bringing the total up to 88 USG but I found that while I can probably get 1100 NM out of that, I'll be flying alone due to weight.

Now someone tells me the Ovations are probably the longest range Mooneys around, with ranges of 1800 to 2400 NM. First of all, what are your experiences in that regard? What kind of trips have you realistically done on these airplanes?

But what I found startling a bit when I checked out the specs on the Mooney site is that an Ovation with full LR tanks has actually less payload left than my trusty "C" with Monroys? Is that possible? Does anyone have this option and how do you handle this? Clearly, one can fly shorter legs to make up for that excess belly, but heck, that is not what you buy long range tanks for.

Also would like to hear from others with LR tanks. What is the realistic payload?

[Parker_Woodruff]

I had a 1990 M20J-AT with a 1035 lb useful load.  It got 17 NMPG.  If I decided to put 100 gallon tanks in the plane, I could go an easy 1500+ NM with reserves.  That would leave me 435+ lbs for people and bags.  I'm not sure what the usable amount is in that setup.

[carusoam]

URS,

Roughly speaking for my 0, I have 100 usable gallons, fly 175kts, burn <16 gph ROP, carry over 1,000# UL.

For two people, we have filled it to the top.  Four people does not allow for full fuel.

Roughly plan for 1,000nm.  Anywhere east of the Missippi from NJ.

Personally, 3 hour legs with passengers is long enough.....

Best regards,

-a-

[orangemtl]

Acclaim at 19gph, around 190 knots: I can go 4-5 hours, but generally won't go beyond 4 unless absolutely mandatory. Hence: about 800NM.  Shorter than the Ovation with extended tanks, it would seem.

Until they build auxiliary bladders for human beings, auxiliary tanks for the plane won't help me much....

[John Pleisse]

I've got a 900# useful load in my TKS Ovation with the LR Monroy tanks. Fully topped up they will hold 120+ gallons. In other words @ full fuel, it's me and my lunch, and not much more, but it's an unusual mission that requires that kind of range. I've got a few 6h+ entries in the logbook, but more commonly I'm doing 800-1000 nm/4.5-6h legs, and launching with 90-100g (ie generous IFR reserves). Realistic payload for those trips is 300-360 lbs - me + 1 adult or 2 kids + reasonable luggage. 

Larry - BorealOne

1996 Ovation TKS

[Cris]

Here is the Mooney factory link http://www.mooney.com/aircraft/overview-of-aircraft.html which shows the Ovation 2, 3 & Acclaim. For the Ovation 3 ( 310 HP STC ) it has a useful load of 1107 lbs with standard fuel of 100 gals for 1860 NM range with reserves. The long range Monroy tanks ( 128 gals ) 1000 lbs of useful load provides 2400 nm range with reserves. My 310 HP Eagle has a useful load of 1124 Lbs by way of comparison.    

[Urs_Wildermuth]

Thanks guys. That is just the information I was looking for. So it appears that the Ovation is the quintessential LR plane in the Mooney line up.

 

[Cris]

Yes , The Ovations & I'd add the 310 HP STC'd Eagle similar to the Ovation 3 would seem to be the champs . Keep in mind that the Mooney factory seems to uses the actual weight per gal of fuel which I think is 5.82 lbs as opposed to 6 in order to get their current payloads. On 100 gals of gas one picks up 18 pounds of useful load with that calculation. I've made several flights from Atlantic City NJ to Gulfport Ms. round trip with plenty of fuel in reserve at 9-11 K. The longest flight was 4.6 hrs start up to shut down. 

[Piloto]

Of all the models the Ovation is my favorite. Reliable, economical and long range. I have ferry four of them to Europe and South America and found them very comfortable for the trips with no need for ferry tanks when equiped with the Monroy LR tanks (130 gallons). I have flown them over 200 pounds overgross up to FL 180 with no significant degradation on peformance, specially those with the 310HP conversion. You can easily get over 1800nm with plenty of reserve. The 310HP conversion will give you turbo performance without the maintenance and fuel burn drawbacks (money).

You can easily fly to Europe without the need to stop at Nasarsuaq, (very expensive) (see attached pictures) with no ferry tanks (Monroy Equipped) and no HF (above FL 170) required. Or NY to Miami at 190kts with plenty of reserve.

 

Jose  

[orangemtl]

Quote: Piloto

Of all the models the Ovation is my favorite. Reliable, economical and long range. I have ferry four of them to Europe and South America and found them very comfortable for the trips with no need for ferry tanks when equiped with the Monroy LR tanks (130 gallons). I have flown them over 200 pounds overgross up to FL 180 with no significant degradation on peformance, specially those with the 310HP conversion. You can easily get over 1800nm with plenty of reserve. The 310HP conversion will give you turbo performance without the maintenance and fuel burn drawbacks (money).

You can easily fly to Europe without the need to stop at Nasarsuaq, (very expensive) (see attached pictures) with no ferry tanks (Monroy Equipped) and no HF (above FL 170) required. Or NY to Miami at 190kts with plenty of reserve.

 

Jose  

[Piloto]

Quote: orangemtl

Have you ferried any Acclaims similarly to Europe?  Excellent fuel consumption (10.8) and airspeed pictured on the Ovation MFD; Acclaims appear to need that stop at Nasarsuaq, unless it's mounted with pontoons.   Also: by 'expensive', is that primarily for the fuel? I'm imagining $15/gallon.

One day, I'd like to take that trip, with adult supervision.

[jetdriven]

Wow, what an impressive airplane. if we could afford one of those, it would take two seconds to decide.