Mooney Missile

[skeptic]

I would love to see some "real world" cruise data from a 252 owner -- power setting, fuel flow, TAS, etc.   I am wondering how it compares to the Missle at around 14 or 15,000 feet.

[Z W]

Well, from a 262 (231 with a 252 engine bolted on the front):

 

I run it at 28" MP, 2500 RPM, leaned to peak TIT.  I open the cowl flaps as necessary to keep CHTs below 380.  In cold air they are often closed, and all cylinders are always in the 350-380 range. At those settings, I get the following, which varies based on OAT and the like:

 

10,000 ft - 170KTAS

12,000 to 15,000 ft - 170 -175 KTAS

15,000 to 18,000 ft - 180-185 KTAS

 

All of that is on 11.5 - 12.0 GPH.  I don't like the mask, so I don't fly higher than 18k.  I've seen Parker post better numbers, but he has the Encore conversion with 10 more HP, and I think runs his LOP.

 

It will go faster if you put more fuel through it, but I don't.  This is about 75% power.  You can also pull the power back to 25" 2500 RPM and get 10 GPH at the cost of about 10-15 kts.  These numbers also come from multiple trips checking a TAS calculator and winds.  I have not done the 4-square GPS thing.

 

Also, I suspect you will very rarely find yourself wanting to cruise at 14,000 - 15,000 ft. You're on oxygen, but below the really good tailwinds. Most of my time in the 262 is spent at 9-10k with a headwind or 17-18k with a tailwind.  Very rarely am I cruising around in between.

 

I've been meaning to try LOP, but my engine starts to rough right around peak TIT, so I have not put much effort into that.

[skeptic]

Thanks for providing the 252/262 cruise data.  Interesting comparison to the Missile performance in the mid-teen altitudes.

[Seth]

The Missile is for better or equal speed below 10,000 to 12,000 with higher fuel burn.  At altitude, the speed will be less, but you can take advatange of tailwinds (if you have oxygen on board).

 

At the same exact speeds at different altitudes, I'm guessing the 252 is more efficient, though I'd have to check.  If I were flying in the mountain often, I'd go with the 252, but where I'm based, I didn't want a turbo yet.  So I picked the Missile.  Also price wise, the Missile was at the time significantly less than a good 252.

 

Best bank for buck in the turbo mooney world may be the F with the Ray Jay - as long as it's working.  A 231 is a good plane as well.  The 252 and Encore may have been the most efficient Mooney's made.

 

-Seth

[Parker_Woodruff]

Interesting....anyone have comparable cruise data for a 252?

 

Approximate numbers depending on the atmospheric conditions...All numbers Lean of Peak.

 

30" MP, 2550-2575 RPM, 11.8 GPH

 

8,000 ft - 160 KTAS

14,000 ft - 175 KTAS

16,000 ft - 181-183 KTAS

17,000 ft - 187-190 KTAS

FL190 - 190-191 KTAS

FL210 - 191-195 KTAS.  On the high side of this at the end of the flight when I'm lighter.

 

It's everything I've wanted in a cross-country airplane.

[Mcstealth]

Those are some impresive numbers on that fuel burn.

 

Where would the Beeches, Columbias, and Cirrius's be? 15-17 LOP?

[fantom]

Approximate numbers depending on the atmospheric conditions...All numbers Lean of Peak.

 

30" MP, 2550-2575 RPM, 11.8 GPH

 

8,000 ft - 160 KTAS

14,000 ft - 175 KTAS

16,000 ft - 181-183 KTAS

17,000 ft - 187-190 KTAS

FL190 - 190-191 KTAS

FL210 - 191-195 KTAS.  On the high side of this at the end of the flight when I'm lighter.

 

It's everything I've wanted in a cross-country airplane.

 

I hate you, Parker