Mooney M20 - Variants

Variants

M20 and M20A

The original M20 (1955–1958) and the M20A (1958–1960) have wings made of wood and covered with cloth, but are otherwise similar to later all-metal models. With the M20A, the power was increased from the M20's 150 hp (110 kW) Lycoming O-320 to the 180 hp (130 kW) Lycoming O-360-A1A or A1D.

Early in the model's history there were several incidents of wooden tails breaking up in flight due to water damage and the resulting rot. Consequently, most tails have now been replaced with all-metal copies, as required by Mooney Service Bulletin M20-170A and the FAA Airworthiness Directive 86-19-10. Without the possibility of metal fatigue, the wooden wing has an indefinite life expectancy and is considered by some pilots to provide a smoother ride in turbulence.

The M20 received its type certificate on 24 August 1955 with the M20A following on 13 February 1958.

M20B

The M20B was type certified on 14 December 1960 with the 180 hp (130 kW) Lycoming O-360-A1A or A1D engine.

M20C

In 1962 Mooney made further incremental improvements in the M20C Ranger, produced between 1962 and 1978.

The M20C was type certified on 20 October 1961 with the 180 hp (130 kW) Lycoming O-360-A1A or A1D engine.

M20D

In 1963 Mooney introduced the M20D Master, essentially an M20C with fixed gear and a fixed-pitch propeller.

The M20D was type certified on 15 October 1962 with the 180 hp (130 kW) Lycoming O-360-A1D or A2D engine.

M20E

The first truly high performance Mooney, the M20E, was produced from 1964 to 1975 and marketed as the Chaparral and Super 21.

The M20E was essentially an M20C with a more powerful 200 hp (150 kW) fuel-injected engine. It was type certified on 04 September 1963 with the 180 hp (130 kW) Lycoming O-360-A1A engine.

Turbonormalizing, which would maintain this performance at higher elevations, is available as an after-market option.

M20F & M20G

Mooney stretched the fuselage and initially added a third fuselage side window with the M20F Executive 21, which was produced between 1966 and 1977. The M20F is otherwise similar to the M20E.

The M20F was type certified on 25 July 1965 with the 200 hp (150 kW) Lycoming IO-360-A1A engine, with the M20G following on 13 November 1967, equipped with the with the 180 hp (130 kW) Lycoming O-360-A1D engine.

M20J

Mooney hired Roy LoPresti to undertake an aerodynamic cleanup of the M20F, resulting in the 1977 model year debut of the M20J. The M20J was marketed under the name Mooney 201 because of its 201 mph (323 km/h) top speed in level flight. The M20J first flew in September, 1976 and was type certified on 27 September 1976. It is equipped with the with the 200 hp (150 kW) IO-360-A1B6D, -A3B6D or -A3B6 engine.

M20K

Up through the M20J all Mooney M20s had four-cylinder Lycoming engines. After designing the M20J, Mooney modified the basic design to include a variety of more powerful six-cylinder engines, including some models with turbocharged engines. The first such design was the turbocharged M20K, which was produced between 1979 and 1998.

The M20K was marketed as the Mooney 231. This model's Continental TSI0-360-GB engine was challenging to operate at acceptable engine temperatures, so by 1986 it was replaced with an intercooled engine, eliminating the temperature problems and achieving a top speed of 252 mph (406 km/h) in level flight (at FL 280). This variant was marketed as the Mooney 252.

The M20K was type certified on 16 November 1978. It is equipped with the with the Continental TSIO-360-GB1 -GB3, -GB4, -LB1, -MB1, -MB2 or -SB2 engines. All produce 210 hp (160 kW), except the -MB1 and 2 and the SB1 which produce 220 hp (160 kW).

M20L

In 1988 Mooney went to even greater lengths, partnering with Porsche to include their geared single-lever Porsche PFM 3200 N03 engine of 217 hp (162 kW) and stretching the fuselage the last time to produce the first long body M20. Most M20Ls no longer use this unique engine. M20L production ended in 1990. This model was marketed as the Mooney PFM.

The M20L achieved type certification on 25 February 1988.

M20M

The M20M (1989–2006) boosted output initially to 270 hp (200 kW) and was also turbocharged. The M20R (1994–) started at 280 hp (210 kW) and was normally aspirated. With minor changes in engine output (e.g. the M20S "Eagle") and various performance tweaks, these two basic models (both high power, both with long bodies, one with turbocharging) are known as the "Bravo" and "Ovation".

The M20M was type certified on 28 June 1989 and is equipped with the 270 hp (200 kW) Lycoming TIO-540-AF1A or -AF1B.

M20R

Introduced in 1994, the M20R Ovation mated a long body fuselage to a Continental IO-550-G normally aspirated powerplant of 280 hp (210 kW). This model was named Flying Magazine's single-engine plane of the year in 1994.

The M20R was type certified on 30 June 1994 and is equipped with the 280 hp (210 kW) Continental IO-550-G(5), -G(6) or -G(7) engine.

M20S

The M20S Eagle was introduced in 1999 and was powered by a Continental IO-550-G engine of 244 hp (182 kW). In 2001 the Eagle 2 was introduced. This model included such refinements as a 3-bladed propeller, a 100 lb (45 kg) gross weight increase and standard leather interior.

The M20S was type certified on 07 February 1999 and is equipped with the 244 hp (182 kW) Continental IO-550-G(6) engine.

M20T

The M20T Predator, a canopy-equipped version of the basic M20 design powered by a Lycoming AEIO-540 engine, was Mooney's entrant in the USAF Enhanced Flight Screener competition. The prototype was built in 1991 and displayed in tiger-stripe paint scheme. The contract was won by the ill-fated Slingsby T-67 Firefly and the M20T was not developed or certified. The sole prototype, registered N20XT, was flown in the Experimental - Market Survey category and was still owned by Mooney Aircraft in 2008.

M20TN

The M20TN Acclaim was the last version of the M20 design produced and is powered by a turbo-normalized Continental TSI0-550-G powerplant with twin turbochargers and dual intercoolers. The Acclaim replaced the Mooney M20M Bravo in the company product line.

The M20TN was type certified on 15 October 2006 and is equipped with the 280 hp (210 kW) TSIO-550-G(1), -G(2), -G(3) or -G(4) engine.