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The Mooney M20 (Mark 20) is a single-engine, low-wing, retractable undercarriage civil aircraft produced by the Mooney Airplane Company. Standing out among its peers with its signature reversed tail, it is one of the oldest and most popular aircraft types in production today. The modern M20 variants are still produced under the original M20 type certificate (Aircraft Specification No. 2A2) that was issued in 1955, two years after the first flight. The Mooney M20 series holds several records and achieved several aviation firsts. The Mooney M20J 201 was the first production aircraft to achieve 200 mph with 200 hp. The M20M Bravo DX is the fastest piston-powered aircraft, single or twin-engine, currently in production. It cruises at speeds and altitudes comparable to some turboprops.
Development
The Mooney M20A went into production in 1961 with all-wooden wings and tail control surfaces. The first all-metal Mooney, the M20B, went into production in 1962.
Special characteristics
The Mooney M20 is remarkable in that it does not use the modern monocoque construction of most other aircraft. Having an internal welded tube frame, only superficial damage is done in minor accidents. In earlier variants the undercarriage is retracted by operatiing a large lever between the front seats. When on the ground the lever is vertical against the instrument panel. To retract the landing gear the lever is pulled, then pushed flat against the floor. This confusing "up is down and down is up" arrangement resulted in a high rate of wheels-up landings. Since the skin of the fuselage is not a structural component, as with monocoque construction, the damage from these mishaps is easily repaired.
Specifications (M-20C)
General Characteristics
- Crew: one, pilot
- Capacity: three passengers
- Length: 23 ft 2 in (7.06 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m)
- Height: 8 ft 4 in (2.54 m)
- Wing area: 167 ft² (15.5 m²)
- Empty: 1,525 lb (692 kg)
- Loaded: lb ( kg)
- Maximum takeoff: 2,575 lb (1,168 kg)
- Powerplant: 1x Lycoming O-360-A1D, 180 hp (135 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 180 mph (288 km/h)
- Range: 915 miles (1,464 km)
- Service ceiling: 17,200 ft (5,244 m)
- Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (244 m/min)
- Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
- Power/Mass:
External links
Related content
Comparable aircraft:
Beechcraft Bonanza -
Piper Comanche
Designation sequence:
M18 -
M19 -
M20 -
M22
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