11 February 2016
Mooney has unveiled the latest generation of its M20 four-seater for 2016, the M20V Acclaim Ultra. It’s the most radical update for the long-running M20 for decades and the 242kt Ultra becomes the US company’s flagship model.
Most obvious change is the addition of a door on the left side of the fuselage for the pilot. Previous M20s have had a single door on the right. It also has a single-piece composite shell wrapping around the cabin area eliminating several rivetted panels.
Bigger doors, bigger cabin windows and a completely new interior complete the redesign. Mooney says it expects to receive FAA certification in the second quarter of this year and is taking orders from today. The Texas-based Chinese-owned company also confirmed it would be continuing with the existing M20R Ovation. There will be just four models in the Mooney range: the two M20s plus two versions of the new M10 two/three seater.
New cabin of the Mooney Acclaim Ultra, with Garmin G1000 flightdeck and two doors
“Our customers love the performance and handling characteristics of the Acclaim, so for 2016, we focused on changes that will broaden our appeal to those looking for a latest generation interior, improved cabin access, and professional flight deck to go with our well-known heritage of speed,” said Jared Absher, Director of Sales and Marketing.
“Most important, we took time to re-imagine the aircraft as a whole – and ensure every aspect of it was considered, from nose to tail. The result is a Mooney unlike any that has been seen before, and one that will set a new standard for many years to come,” he continued.
Composite one-piece shell around the cabin eliminates some rivetted metal panels
The new Acclaim Ultra incorporates use of composite technology, as a smooth single-piece composite shell around the cabin area and its all-metal roll cage that surrounds the occupants. This new composite shell eliminates several riveted panels and allows for tighter tolerances for the doors and windows which should provide a quieter cabin. Both pilot and copilot doors have been stretched in length by four inches to allow better rear-seat access and offer better visibility thanks to larger cabin windows.
Longer doors and bigger windows make the cabin easier to access and more open
The cabin interior has been redesigned with the aims of reducing pilot workload and increasing passenger comfort. There are new soft-touch switches and optimised switch locations, and an integrated Garmin flight management keypad for use with the aircraft’s G1000 system.
Mid-Continent’s all-in-one stand-by instrument with four-inch displays and internal battery has also been centrally located in the panel, as have the flap, landing gear, and rudder trim controls.
Mooney is aiming for FAA certification in Q2 2016, with deliveries starting soon after
Preliminary specifications and performance
Mooney M20V Acclaim Ultra
Base price $769,000
Engine: Continental TSIO-550-G, producing 280 hp. TBO: 2,200 hrs
Typical Useful Load: 1,000 lb
Maximum Ramp Weight: 3,380 lb
Maximum Take-off Weight: 3,368 lb
Fuel capacity: 89 gal standard / 100 gal long range
Take-off distance: 2,100 ft
Landing distance: 2,650 ft
Maximum Rate of Climb: 1,375 fpm
Maximum Operating Altitude: 25,000ft
Maximum Cruising Speed: 242 ktas
Range: 700 nm (standard fuel 89 gal), 830 nm (long range fuel 100 gal)
Long Range Cruising Speed: 175 ktas
Range: 1,100 nm (standard fuel 89 gal), 1,275 nm (long range fuel 100 gal)
Note: Specifications and performance data are preliminary at this time and subject to change.
