General Aviation

Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20k

Manufacturer: MOONEY AIRCRAFT CORP.

The Mooney M20 is a family of four‑seat, piston‑powered, low‑wing aircraft that first flew in 1953. Designed by Al Mooney, the series is known for its high cruise speeds, efficient fuel use, and distinctive tail fin. Over 11,000 units have been built across three production runs, making it one of the most popular light aircraft in the United States.

Aircraft Facts

Type Key
mooney-aircraft-corp-m20k
Class
General Aviation
Registry Count
771
Example Registration
N1005U

Specifications

Wingspan
11.13 m / 36 ft
Length
8.13 m / 26 ft
Height
2.54 m / 8 ft
Max Speed
448 km/h / 278 mph
Cruise Speed
324 km/h / 201 mph
Range
2000 km / 1100 nmi
Ceiling
7600 m / 25000 ft
First Flight
1953-09-03
Production Start
1955
Production End
1971
Total Built
11000

Aircraft Overview

History

The M20 program began in 1953 with a prototype that earned certification in 1955. Production grew steadily through the 1960s, reaching a peak of 760 units in 1966. The company faced bankruptcy in 1969, but was revived by successive owners, including Republic Steel and later a Chinese private‑equity firm. Production halted in 2008 due to the recession, then resumed in 2014. Two new models, the M20U Ovation Ultra and M20V Acclaim Ultra, entered service in 2016. The company closed in November 2019 but reopened in December of the same year.

Design

All M20s are low‑wing, all‑metal aircraft with aluminum wing skins and a steel‑tube forward fuselage. Slotted flaps cover 70 % of the trailing edge, and most variants feature retractable landing gear. The tail fin is uniquely angled, and the aircraft stores fuel in two wet‑wing tanks. Modern models use electrically operated flaps and a 28‑volt electrical system, while earlier versions relied on hydraulic hand pumps.

Variants

Key variants include the original M20 and M20A (wooden tail), the all‑metal M20B, the improved M20C Ranger, the trainer M20D Master, the higher‑powered M20E Super 21, the stretched M20F Executive, the turbo‑charged M20J 201, the six‑cylinder M20K 231, the long‑body M20L, the turbo‑charged M20M Bravo, and the latest M20U Ovation Ultra and M20V Acclaim Ultra.

Operations

As of August 2017, 6,748 M20s were registered in the United States, 342 in Canada, 33 in the United Kingdom, and 154 in Australia. In 2017 pilot Brian Lloyd flew a M20K 231 around the world, retracing Amelia Earhart’s 1937 route. The aircraft is popular in general aviation, flight training, and personal use.

Notable Facts

  • More than 11,000 M20 aircraft have been produced.
  • The first M20 flight occurred on September 3, 1953.
  • The M20 can cruise at 201 mph (323 km/h) with a 200‑hp engine.
  • The turbo‑charged M20K 231 reaches 231 mph (372 km/h).
  • The M20M Bravo and M20K 252 can exceed 250 mph (406 km/h).
  • The M20J 201 AT was developed as a military trainer for the USAF.
  • The M20U Ovation Ultra introduced a composite forward fuselage.

Variants

  • M20K- 771 registrations - Example N1005U

Machine-Readable Resources

Sources