Mooney M20
Mooney International · United States · first flew 1953 · light aircraft
The Mooney M20 is a single-engine, low-wing retractable four-seater famed as one of the fastest and most fuel-efficient piston singles.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Sleek low-profile fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Forward-leaning vertical tail
- Sleek low-profile fuselage
- Retractable tricycle gear
The signature cue is the near-vertical-leading-edge fin that appears to lean forward, found on every Mooney. A sleek low-profile fuselage with a forward-raked windshield and retractable tricycle gear completes the look.
Specifications
- The Mooney M20 has a length of 8.13 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.13 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 448 km/h (278 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 (4 seats).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1953, the M20 began with wooden wings and tail before switching to all-metal construction from the M20C. The M20J '201' famously reached 201 mph, while top-end turbocharged Acclaim models exceed 240 knots.
Variants
The family runs from the wood-wing M20 and M20A through the all-metal M20C Ranger, the M20J '201', the turbocharged M20K and the long-body M20R Ovation and M20V Acclaim. Power and speed climb steadily up the range.
Where you'll see it
In the UK the Mooney is a prized fast tourer flown by private owners and syndicates from regional airfields for efficient cross-country flying. Its speed and economy make it a long-distance favourite among performance-minded pilots.
Related aircraft
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