What Is the Cruise Speed of a Mooney?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re interested in aviation, you might be curious about the cruise speed of a Mooney aircraft. Mooney is a well-known aircraft manufacturer that has been producing high-performance planes since the 1940s.

The company’s airplanes are renowned for their sleek design, impressive performance, and efficiency. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the cruise speed of a Mooney aircraft.

What Is Cruise Speed?

Before we delve into the specifics of Mooney’s cruise speed, let’s first define what this term means. Cruise speed is the speed at which an aircraft can fly efficiently over long distances.

It’s not the maximum speed that an airplane can achieve but rather the most efficient one. Essentially, it’s the sweet spot where fuel consumption is minimized without sacrificing too much speed.

Mooney Aircraft

Mooney Aircraft Corporation is an American manufacturer of single-engine general aviation airplanes based in Kerrville, Texas. The company has been building airplanes since 1947 and has produced many models over the years. Some of its well-known models include M20TN Acclaim Type S, M20R Ovation3 GX, M20J 201 MSE and M20E Super 21.

M20TN Acclaim Type S

The M20TN Acclaim Type S is Mooney’s fastest airplane ever built with a top speed of 242 knots (278 mph) and a maximum range of 1,342 nautical miles (1,545 miles). However, this isn’t its cruise speed.

M20R Ovation3 GX

The M20R Ovation3 GX is another popular model from Mooney with impressive performance specifications. It has a cruise speed of around 170 knots (196 mph) and can fly up to 1,000 nautical miles (1,150 miles) on a single tank of fuel.

M20J 201 MSE

The M20J 201 MSE is another popular Mooney model with a cruise speed of around 160 knots (184 mph) and a maximum range of about 1,000 nautical miles (1,150 miles).

M20E Super 21

The M20E Super 21 is one of the oldest models produced by Mooney but still has impressive performance specifications. It has a cruise speed of around 155 knots (178 mph) and can fly up to 1,000 nautical miles (1,150 miles) without refueling.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cruise speed of a Mooney aircraft varies depending on the model. The M20TN Acclaim Type S is the fastest Mooney aircraft with a top speed of 242 knots (278 mph).

However, its cruise speed is lower than that. The M20R Ovation3 GX and M20J 201 MSE are both popular models with impressive cruising speeds around 170-160 knots (196-184 mph). The M20E Super 21 might not be as fast as other models but still has an impressive cruising speed of around 155 knots (178 mph).