Inside The $1 Million Mooney M20TN Acclaim Type S

Inside The $1 Million Mooney M20TN Acclaim Type S Plane
0:00 - Intro
This is the Mooney Acclaim Type S, which appears to be a no-kidding 240-knot-plus airplane, making it one of the fastest single-engine pistons. Today we’re going inside the Mooney Acclaim Type S to talk about everything you need to know about this ultra-fast aircraft.
0:43 - Interior
While entering the Mooney Acclaim Type S cabin without the step is doable, it’s better to have it than not, to protect against the flap being used as a step by clumsy passengers.
The Mooney Acclaim Type S has essentially the same equipment and option list as the Acclaim had. The significant exception is a Garmin G1000 upgraded to WAAS, and with a new detailed engine monitor page on the MFD side. The introductory Acclaim had only an engine summary page, which the new airplane still has, but the expanded version shows spiffy electronic analog gauges for MAP, fuel flow, RPM and temps and lucid bar charts for Exhaust Gas Temperature and Cylinder Head Temperature, plus some built-in warning functions. The G1000 has Garmin’s new synthetic vision, along with the HITs display.
The airplane is compact, and while the shoulder room is generous, the overall cabin size is cozy, as is the case for the back seat too. The interior is elegant, verging on luxurious, with nice leather with contrasting piping. It’s a nice place to while away the hours as the terrain passes below you at an impressive rate.
As with all the Mooney models, the Acclaim comes with some impressive options, including a TKS anti-icing package that is approved for flight into known icing, and air conditioning. The addition of those two options, while contributing mightily to safety and comfort, combine to cut the useful load tremendously.
3:03 - Engine and Performance
When Mooney introduced its Type S Acclaim, it said that it indisputably had the fastest piston single in the world, with a top cruise speed of up to 242 knots, an improvement of nearly 10 knots over the original Acclaim. Thanks to the Continental TSIO-550, its performance is one the best, if not the best in its class. With 242+ knots at 25,000 feet or 7,620 meters, the Acclaim Type S has one of the highest top speeds of any single-engine piston aircraft produced. At 16,000 feet or 4,877 meters the aircraft can fly at a speed of 220 knots.
The Acclaim Type S is fast, however, is also great in other performance categories. The range is 1,445 nautical miles or 2,776 kilometers with the standard tanks and 1,852 nautical miles or 3,430 kilometers with optional fuel tanks installed, which is once again among the best for a single-engine piston airplane. Fuel burn is also very good: at best power settings, the Acclaim Type S travels 11 nautical miles or 20 kilometers for every gallon, and fuel burn is around 20 gallons or 75 liters per hour with 2,400 RPM, 220 knots speed at 16,000 feet or 4,877 meters with International Standard Atmosphere conditions.
At 25,000 feet or 7,620 meters the Acclaim Type S burns about 22 gallons or 83 liters per hour with a speed around 241 knots at 2,500 RPM. At best economy settings, the aircraft travels 12 nautical miles or 22 kilometers per gallon. This is based on a 215-knot speed, 2,400 RPM at 16,000 feet or 4,877 meters, and ISA conditions. And finally, the plane can take off in 1,620 feet or 494 meters, has a maximum rate of climb per minute of 1,375 feet or 420 meters, and a minimum landing distance of 2,200 feet or 670 meters, all while maintaining a useful load with no options of 1,050 lbs or 475 kg.
6:02 - Features
The most noteworthy mod, and probably the most effective, is the addition of a new three-bladed Hartzell prop. There are also a new, smaller but still very effective air inlet, flap gap seals, and cleaned-up gear doors and flap hinges. The result of the cleanup is an airplane that is noticeably faster than its predecessor by a good margin of about 7-10 knots.
A feature that comes on every Acclaim is speed brakes, and they make flying the airplane a lot easier in a few different ways. Coupled with the three big speed brakes on the belly of the airplane, Acclaim pilots have some great tools to help in getting the airplane heading down when it’s time to descend.
7:43 - Purchase Price and Operating Cost
Talking about costs, the base purchase price for a new Mooney Acclaim Type S is around $800,000 before options, and while the total fixed cost is roughly $30,000 to $40,000 per year, the average hourly operating cost is estimated at $300 to $350.
8:03 - Outro
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