The Mooney M20F is a high performance airplane for a Cessna price.
Introduced in the second half of the 1960s, the Mooney M20F is another entry in Al Mooney’s classic M20 lineage. Designed to be flown by a single pilot and with room for three passengers, the Mooney M20F is a popular bird wherever it goes, thanks to its sleek low-rider look and instantly recognizable forward-swept vertical stabilizer.
Over the years, the Mooney M20F has vindicated its reputation as a real airplane that delivers good performance at a very appealing entry cost. Beyond that, it keeps owners happy by having predictable maintenance costs and good dispatch reliability. The M20J eventually replaced the M20F version, and the M20 family’s production ran until 2019 when the last unit was rolled out.
Mooney M20F / Specs
The Mooney M20F is a single-engine aircraft powered by an injected four-cylinder Lycoming IO-360-A1A engine outputting 200 hp. This retractable-gear aircraft can seat three passengers plus the pilot, but it is perhaps best known as the go-to IFR and commercial rating trainer thanks to its good speed, IFR equipment, and retractable gear.
The Mooney M20J has an empty weight of 1640 lbs, with a gross weight of 2740 lbs and a useful payload of 674 lbs with full tanks, or 757 lbs with tanks 75% filled. Fuel capacity is 64 gallons, distributed between two rubber bladder wing tanks. Of the 64, only 54.8 gallons are usable. This equates to around 5 hours of endurance without accounting for reserves.
A unique feature of the Mooney M20F compared to most general aviation aircraft is that it uses a throttle quadrant similar to those usually found on business jets or airliners instead of the traditional push/pull handles. The pilot opinion on this feature is divisive. Many Mooney M20F owners swear by the choice and prefer the more robust feeling the quadrant gives. On the other side, there are plenty of voices that dislike how large the quadrant is and miss the traditional handles.
00:00-17:20 - About the M20/Pre Flight
18:00-22:47 - Engine Star/Take Off
25:35-27:18 - Landing
27:19-30:00 - Debrief
#aircraft #airplanes #aviationlovers
When I was 18, I owned a pair of shoes.
I think I had a pair of shoes and a pogo stick 😂
I went from a Cessna 172, new ppl 75 hrs to a Mooney TLS Bravo, best decision ever. Love my Mooney, Fly it all the time
What year Mooney did you get? Smart move 👌
@@SirDrifto 1989
I'm about to do that now but at 40 hours with a 1970 m20e. Any advice, any regrets?
@@robertstellan6017 Check insurance rates first for requirements (I had strict contingencies), make sure you locate a competent CFI for transitional training, join Mooney Space forum, and most importantly have FUN, cuz it's a good ride!
@@affricate I'm quoted $3200/yr. Thanks I'll definitely join some forms and look for a CFI that's familiar.
Back about 1968 the group I was in that owned a Mooney M20C (shorter cabin, 180 hp), based at San Carlos, CA airport, replaced it with a new M20F. I was one of the pilots along to pick it up from an airport in Southern California (can't remember which one) and fly it back. The purchase price (new) was about $20K, including one Narco Nav/Com. I flew it for a few hundred hours. As I recall, cruising speed at 7,500 feet or so was 172 mph.
They’re great airplanes.
Let's get some more videos of this plane and kid!
Nice dude. I bought a 1968 Mooney M20C. I retrofitted a IO-360 A1A variant in it. Can’t wait to fly her!
I loved that sporty departure
i sold my 1976 mooney and bought a 1948 stinson, it all depends what kind of flying you like
The mod to the front cowling is not a "janky" mod. There are two options for the front cowling mod one allows for a universal starter which sticks out a ways thus the hump and the other limits the buyer to only using the high torque light weight starter, which does not protrude into the cowling mod. Many go with the flared out cowling option so they are not restricted to a specific starter if they should happen to break down when on the road.
Interesting person, 18 and all that wow. Knows his plane thoroughly.
Sorry but you need more audio . Mike is needed on the owner
Joseph from King Of the Hill has a plane. And did a nice job! Well done.
Best show ever
@@SirDrifto Am on the 4th rotation. Season 3 again. Dare say after Andy Griffith, it's the 2nd best.
put a mike on the pilot
Except for its cramped cockpit and hampered visibility, the Mooney is the sexiest prop on the planet!
I dunno man. The Bonanza gives the Mooney a run for it's money in the looks department. Then again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Nice Video! I like your yokes, are they factory or aftermarket? If aftermarket who is the supplier? Thanks!
Factory I believe. Thanks for watching 👍
Short Field performance is a pilot problem not an airframe problem. There are other myths being propagated here but I am not going to pick nits. 150hrs of Mooney time does not an expert make.
I would’ve had all my certification by 18 if my fam was loaded too. 😂
I flew in one yesterday
What did you think?
@@SirDrifto absolutely amazing like always because I’ve loved aviation my life
That kids higher than his airplane!
How much was this plane?
They got it for a great deal. I know that. Most m20s are about mid 70k
I'm not a pilot but I love it compared to Cessna it's a Ferrari.
Mooneys really are special birds
Ironic how you have SAFETY FIRST on your instrument pa el and demonstrate such unsafe flying…low approach on take off, flying basically treetop level around mountains…giving yourself no margin of safety.
if you're that afraid of crashing, just don't fly.
@@TomCook1993 Thanks for making my point about the cocky attitude that gets pilots killed every day.
@neskyz4259 you are 100% right
True, I say the same when a squid asks me if I get scared riding my Triumph Speed Triple motorcycle.
That plane needs a new paint job.
That engine is only 200hp
That airplane is only complex -NOT HIGH PERFORMANCE -?
It has a 200 hp engine- the hp has to be greater than 200 hp for a plane to be considered high performance.