The M20F Performance Benchmark thread.

[Shadrach]

I hope to see this thread turn into a repository of real world performance data for the Mooney M20F (happy to see separate threads started for other models).  It would be helpful for new and potential owners to know what is typical of each model.  I will be periodically adding performance data and I hope others will as well. As I acquire new data, some posts may be edited with the goal of minimizing clutter and duplicative information.

With the introduction of ADSB data we can now see hard data rather than wishful thinking. To that end, it would be helpful if ADSB track, weather conditions and aircraft weight were included in any posts to give a complete and accurate analysis.

Summery of entries:

Average Time to climb 2150lbs

10,000

1065 FPM

850 FPM

 

Average Speed ROP

10,000

147.5KTS

 

Average Speed LOP

10,000

142.5KTS

 

[Shadrach]

This was a quick time to climb flight conducted at a calculated weight of 2136lbs or 604lbs under MGW (pilot, 35gal, 6qts oil and 20lbs of random crap in the baggage compartment).  

Weather Temp 60 °F DP 32 °F  RH 35% Wind SSE14 mph Baro 29.65 in 

DA was 600ft at a 701 field elevation. Pretty close to a standard day.

It was bumpy and I think I could have done a better job with speed management, which is likely the cause of the significant ROC decrease after the first 1000'. Nevertheless, >1000fpm through 7000 isn't bad. Total time to ascend from 1025 to 10,025 was 8 minutes and 27 seconds which works out to an Avg ROC of 1065. 

Speed runs are coming soon.  I will be taking some 45lb plates to the hangar to get data at higher weights.

The reason that the climb interval altitudes are not exact round numbers is because there was not data for that specific anltitude available.  In such cases, I took the closest altitude for which data was provided.

[Ragsf15e]

I sort of doubt we’ll be able to see a difference, but it might be nice to include significant alterations to the airplane (TN , io-390, weight definitely need documented).  Are you 2 blade prop, stock cowl and windscreen?

I’ll try for a similar weight climb test, but it looks like you beat me by a little and I’ve got a 201 windscreen and 3 blade prop…

Edited April 28 by Ragsf15e

[Shadrach]

2 minutes ago, Ragsf15e said:

I sort of doubt we’ll be able to see a difference, but it might be nice to include significant alterations to the airplane (TN , io-390, weight definitely need documented).  Are you 2 blade prop, stock cowl and windscreen?

I’ll try for a similar weight climb test, but it looks like you beat me by a little and I’ve got a 201 windscreen and 3 blade prop…

Mine is a time capsule that is close to how it was delivered from the factory. It’s going to take several data sets to draw meaningful performance conclusions.

[Ragsf15e]

On 4/27/2024 at 7:37 PM, Shadrach said:

This was a quick time to climb flight conducted at a calculated weight of 2136lbs or 604lbs under MGW (pilot, 35gal, 6qts oil and 20lbs of random crap in the baggage compartment).  

Weather Temp 60 °F DP 32 °F  RH 35% Wind SSE14 mph Baro 29.65 in 

DA was 600ft at a 701 field elevation. Pretty close to a standard day.

It was bumpy and I think I could have done a better job with speed management, which is likely the cause of the significant ROC decrease after the first 1000'. Nevertheless, >1000fpm through 7000 isn't bad. Total time to ascend from 1025 to 10,025 was 8 minutes and 27 seconds which works out to an Avg ROC of 1065. 

Speed runs are coming soon.  I will be taking some 45lb plates to the hangar to get data at higher weights.

The reason that the climb interval altitudes are not exact round numbers is because there was not data for that specific anltitude available.  In such cases, I took the closest altitude for which data was provided.

How's you get the pretty table for your climb?  Did you make it yourself or is there some way to export off adsb exchange?

[Ragsf15e]

https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=a4be6e&lat=47.625&lon=-117.353&zoom=11.8&showTrace=2024-05-03&timestamp=1714757520

That should link to the flight.  I did a timed climb at 105 mph indicated from 2000' field elevation to 10,000'.  DA at takeoff was 3121'.  Weight was 600lbs below MGW, about 2140lbs (pilot, some junk in the back and 30 gallons fuel).  Initial climb was ~1100fpm, 2000-6000' in 4:20" (~925fpm average).  6-8000 in 2:15 (~890 fpm).  8-10,000 in 2:50 (705 fpm).  Overall, 2000'-10000', ~850fpm.  I have a 3 blade prop and a 201 windshield, but otherwise stock.  Having owned it for 10 years, it's always been a bit slower than I see others claim, so it won't surprise me to see climb a bit less than others.  Although I started from 3000' DA instead of sea level like @Shadrach, so I lost out on the higher climb rates down low helping my average.

Then I did LOP and ROP speed runs at 10,000'.  Here's the chart I use.  I get groundspeed in each cardinal direction and then put that into a TAS computer when I get back home (https://www.eaa62.org/technotes/speed.htm).  You can just take the average of the 4 way and get close, but it won't be correct as it will always indicate slightly higher than truth based on the wind drift (headwind and tailwind are taken out with the average but sideways isn't).  Depending on winds, average of the 4 directions is within about 1 knot (it will always be higher than truth).

These are 10,000', -7C, light airplane, relatively forward CG:

So LOP, I get 142.5 KTAS

And ROP, I get 147.5 KTAS

[Shadrach]

24 minutes ago, Ragsf15e said:

How's you get the pretty table for your climb?  Did you make it yourself or is there some way to export off adsb exchange?

I did it in excel. I had to enter the data manually but was above to pull the formula for ROC from top to bottom using the fill handle. 

[Shadrach]

2 minutes ago, Ragsf15e said:

https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=a4be6e&lat=47.625&lon=-117.353&zoom=11.8&showTrace=2024-05-03&timestamp=1714757520

That should link to the flight.  I did a timed climb at 105 mph indicated from 2000' field elevation to 10,000'.  DA at takeoff was 3121'.  Weight was 600lbs below MGW, about 2140lbs (pilot, some junk in the back and 30 gallons fuel).  Initial climb was ~1100fpm, 2000-6000' in 4:20" (~925fpm average).  6-8000 in 2:15 (~890 fpm).  8-10,000 in 2:50 (705 fpm).  Overall, 2000'-10000', ~850fpm.  I have a 3 blade prop and a 201 windshield, but otherwise stock.  Having owned it for 10 years, it's always been a bit slower than I see others claim, so it won't surprise me to see climb a bit less than others.  Although I started from 3000' DA instead of sea level like @Shadrach, so I lost out on the higher climb rates down low helping my average.

Then I did LOP and ROP speed runs at 10,000'.  Here's the chart I use.  I get groundspeed in each cardinal direction and then put that into a TAS computer when I get back home (https://www.eaa62.org/technotes/speed.htm).  You can just take the average of the 4 way and get close, but it won't be correct as it will always indicate slightly higher than truth based on the wind drift (headwind and tailwind are taken out with the average but sideways isn't).  Depending on winds, average of the 4 directions is within about 1 knot (it will always be higher than truth).

These are 10,000', -7C, light airplane, relatively forward CG:

So LOP, I get 142.5 KTAS

And ROP, I get 147.5 KTAS

Great data! The speed is almost exactly what I would expect with a three blade.  I will be doing some speed runs as soon as we get some decent weather. 

[RescueMunchkin]

Are you assuming climb at Vy? I usually can't do a straight climb because of airspace shelves but have been doing cruise climbs targeting 500fpm when I want higher.

[Shadrach]

1 hour ago, RescueMunchkin said:

Are you assuming climb at Vy? I usually can't do a straight climb because of airspace shelves but have been doing cruise climbs targeting 500fpm when I want higher.

So far these have been timed climbs to 10K. I am trying to maintain calculated Vy. I think I failed a bit as my climb rates did not fall off in a linear manner.  Practice makes perfect. I will keep trying.
will add a three way speed run next time.

[Ragsf15e]

1 hour ago, RescueMunchkin said:

Are you assuming climb at Vy? I usually can't do a straight climb because of airspace shelves but have been doing cruise climbs targeting 500fpm when I want higher.

I have class C above me too, but I can almost always get cleared through it before I have to level off to stay below.  So I did one a few months ago at published Vy and now I’ve done it twice at 105mph which is about 5mph slower and my rate is better.  My engine temps have been fine, but it’s pretty cold up here still.

[Ragsf15e]

2 hours ago, Shadrach said:

Great data! The speed is almost exactly what I would expect with a three blade.  I will be doing some speed runs as soon as we get some decent weather. 

We’ll have to try to get a few different altitudes.  I usually fly 8-10k up here but I’ve seen the best speeds around 6,000’.

[802flyer]

I recently did a max performance climb to 9000ft with a takeoff weight just shy of 2300lbs, 50F, 30.48. Mods include the SWTA windshield and cowl, aileron/flap gap seals, wing/tail root fairings.  2 blade prop. I have the twisted wing, for what that’s worth.
Average climb rate from start to end: 1164 FPM
First thousand (1K-2K): 1315 FPM
Middle of climb (3.5-6K) 1250 FPM
last 1500' of climb 984 FPM
Looking forward to collecting/adding more data, especially on westbound legs where I can go with the 10k benchmark (or eastbound that justify going above 10k).

[802flyer]

I had previously posted this in another thread:

Takeoff weight around 2350lbs and temp on the ground around 30F.

I was not as aggressive with the climb airspeed, starting off at my typical 120mph and slowing gradually to 100mph as I got to the end of climb.

Started a timer entering the runway and it had just ticked over 15min as I cleared 12,000ft. So about 750fpm average (corrected for field elevation of 780).

Next time, I’ll have to try the more aggressive deck angle at 100mph.