One Of The Most Economical Airplanes You Can Buy - Mooney M20

The first Mooney M20 was certified back in 1955. That model only had 150hp engine. But what really set the Mooney apart was its speed. The tiny 150hp engine propelled this plane to cruise north of 170 mph. Impressive right? well there's been several modifications to the M20 over the years and the one featured in this video is a 1984 model with a much bigger 200hp Lycoming engine.

Here are the Specs of the Mooney M20.

- 1984 model
- Lycoming IO 360 (200 hp engine)
- Range: up to 1200 miles
- Climb rate: 1000 fpm
- Speed: 160 mph
- Fuel: 12 gph
- Price: $100k - $150k

[Michaelc]

Hey guys, Pilot of the aircraft in this video. I’ve been reading the comments so you should all know I provided Mike this info based on the performance this specific aircraft. 135KIAS is slow for the Mooney but unfortunately that’s what this guy gets at 24 squared. You guys are leading me to believe that somethings up and I will get it checked immediately.

This is a club aircraft that is old and has had 3 no gear landings. It has a Johnson bar and had a few hot cylinders,

GPH is usually 12.

Let me know if there is anything else I can address,

Thank you all for your feedback !

[anemazoso]

I own a 1967 M20F. The myth that the Mooney is smaller is not true. I am 6’3” 250 and I can fit 4 adults easily with plenty of leg room in the back.

[TheBarzook]

Mike, I enjoy your channel and being a Mooney owner myself I was glad you made a review on the J. I think you need to do a little more research on the planes you're presenting though and it's true for other reviews you've made in the past. It could have been nice to do a small presentation of all M20 models. The Johnson bar you are talking about I think was last seen on the E model. Your numbers on cruise speed and burn rate are all over the place. In case of doubt just present what the POH says. We never work with indicated airspeed, specially when flying at 8-9k feet, using true airspeed makes a huge difference. Not only is 135 kias super low for a J, it's also not accurate. A good J will burn about 10 gph at 150 true. Last thing on the leg space, the seats were all the way back and you had at least another 12" to go before touching the rudder pedals. 4 adults is easy in an M20. I wouldn't say we could spend 5 hours back there but it's far from a 2 seater like you presented. The front seats are sliding as far back as they are to give an easy way in and out for the pilot and co-pilot.

[Mooneyer]

I’ve been flying a Mooney M20J for over 10 years. Been all over US, Canada, Caribbean. No problem seating 4 adults. It’s at the trade off of fuel but it does not cause CG issues. And as for 135 knots indicated, whip out your E6B and you’ll see that this is around 150+ knots true airspeed above 6000ft.

[rlkinser]

The seat is never all the way unless you're like 7'2". The rudder pedals are far forward, which means that you sit closer to the yoke than you do in other airplanes. The flight controls also have shorter throws than cable driven systems, so the yoke never has to move that much.

[loupitoufl]

I concur with all the comments below, the cabin is as spacious as similar GA 4 seaters (cherokee, warrior, 172), what is different is in a mooney the legs goes all the way to the firewall and you sit much closer to the panel - F1 style. Also the reason why the passenger rudder pedals are different than the pilot (left seat) is because only the pilot side has brake controls - passenger side (right) is only rudder/front wheel

[EJWash]

SOME Mooney models have the Johnson Bar landing gear system. The M20J reviewed here has electric-driven landing gear. The landing gear switch, shaped like a miniature white tire, just to the left of the radio rack is the give-away. Horizontal stabilizer trim: Yes, the entire empennage moves to provide pitch trim. Yes, the rudder moves (pivots) with it - by default. The rudder DOES NOT displace to the left or right when the horizontal stabilizer moves.

[jeromes]

I've been waiting to see a Mooney on the channel from it started. When I got my Mooney M20C last year, mojo was the first person I hit up hoping to get it reviewed. Heart broken to see this Mooney on the channel and not mines, , but glad a Mooney got on to represent. I love the J model but also love the Johnson bar in my M20C, which reduces the annual cost. My Mooney has all the J model upgrade, even a 3 bladed prop, speed brakes and all the bells and whistles, but no electric landing gear. Ohh, another thing, the J models have electric landing gears, not Johnson bar.

[Ewmansour]

Thank you for the review. I’ve flown lots of aircraft and the M20 is by far my favorite plane to fly. The pushrods give it a solid feel and it is a great and stable IFR platform. Go Mooney!! You should take it out and fly it and you’ll see why Mooneys are such great aircraft. I regularly see 155 kts TAS on 11 gph in my M20J - It will show 135ish indicated but TAS is of course higher as you go up.

[seattlekiddoc]

Love the channel and follow regularly. A bit disappointed how inaccurate the info was on this one though. Lots of variation in the M20’s, very different as opposed to the subtle differences between Cessna 172 variants as an example. I own an M20K - basically same fuselage as the M20J you showed here (with electric landing gear - no Johnson bar 🤦🏼‍♂️) but a continental 210 HP turbocharged 6-cylinder engine. I cruise around 165 true AS around 13-19, 000 ft and burn 10.2-11.5 gph at cruise. Basically get 20 miles/gal across the ground. I’m 6”1’ and have to put the seat 1/2 way in to reach the pedals, tons of leg room. Easily fly with 3 full size guys as passengers, just can’t go more than about 500 miles with half fuel (73 gal usable fuel). Thanks for showcasing a Mooney!

[jeromes]

I'm 6"1 and my seating position after I pull the seat up to reach the pedal is like sitting in my G37, flat and legs practica straight like in a sports car. I've burn 8 gallons cruising at 145 Knotts. Been in a Bonanza and the cabin I was told by the owner is a bit narrower than my Mooney, but vertical length was greater.

[rinebist]

My brother bought a m20k about 4 months ago and it fits four people nicely.

[cellokid]

The M20J is 100% hands down the plane that I would buy if I had the money. No doubt

[jazzandbluesculturalherita]

I've always loved the Mooney! It does have beautiful & graceful lines! Thanks @MojoGrip, great job! All the Best for your new aircraft enterprise.

[funkdunk]

Mooney Aircraft not only look the best on the ramp, they have also retained their styling. This airplane is 40 years old and still looks great with its impressive lines and build quality. This one is in particularly great condition. I think that most 4 seater singles aren't true 4 seaters when it comes to long distance trips as baggage, fuel, range, take off weight, landing weight and other factors come into consideration for a safe flight.

[RoyalAviatorRepo]

I recently purchased a Mooney M20J and absolutely love it! I started a Youtube channel where I fly my Mooney cross-country to repossess vehicles!

[robertbridges]

Hello Mike. I do not concur with a lot of the information you have put out there on the Mooney M20J.
With regards to seating you can easily fit 4 adults. The seats were back for egress and access. When getting in it is the pilot first. He pulls the seat forward and adjusts accordingly. Then the pilot moves the Co Pilot seat forward and tilts the backrest forward for rear passengers to gain access. Lastly the Co Pilot who will adjust his seat for his and the rear passenger comfort. When egress this is done in reverse.
Clearly Mike you have never flown a Mooney? I own a M20K. If I had to choose between a Sling 4 and a Mooney M20K 🤔🤔. Go fly one Mike and you tell me bang for buck 🤔🤔

[petercreary]

I've flown all of the short body Mooneys. The 201 will true 160 knots at 9000ft full throttle and 2600 rpm with two blade prop. There is something seriously wrong with this example. As for room, the front seat is all the way back. As you noted you couldn't reach the rudder pedals. I have flown it with all 4 seats occupied with a reduced fuel load.

[jesperhouken]

Mike, the M20E and afterwards came with electric retract. The pilot position in this aircraft has toe brakes therefore the big foot pad, the passenger side only has rudder control why the small T bar pedals. I can see from other comments that you corrected yourself on the Mooney M20J 201 to be max speed 201 mph, and as stated correctly this was more marketing than truth. Nice airplane and great presentation Mike.

[arielblu]

Your opinion and numbers on the M20J are very wrong. For the Back seat space, move the seats to the flying position and there will be a lot of space back there. For the speed, I get 150kts at under 9 GPH of TAS on LOP. The J model is an amazing and very eficient flying machine.