Mooney Mark 21 M20C And Ranger M20 BCG

Mooney Mark 21 M20C & Ranger M20 BCG

The Mooney International Corporation was opened in 1929 by Albert Mooney and his brother Arthur in Wichita, Kansas. But when the Great Depression struck in 1930, Mooney went bankrupt. While the brothers worked other jobs, Al also worked to bring in financial bankers who could help Mooney Aircraft Incorporated. Those bankers were Charles Yankey and W. L. McMahon.

Mooney’s initial Mite M-18 was a single-seater aircraft designed to entice ex-fighter pilots post-military service. This plane remained in production until the 1950s. By 1953, the company had moved to Kerrville, Texas. From there, the M20 sped production, took its first flight in 1953, and received its certification in 1955. Sales began slowly but soon picked up as the aircraft became known for its speed powered by a Lycoming O-320 engine.

Mooney continued to experience many financial setbacks and hardships, primarily due to the economy. Because of this, Mooney has filed for several bankruptcies and has had many different owners. Mooney even once operated under Chinese leadership through Soaring America. Even after production resumed in Kerrville, Chinese investors had other developments and projects in mind. One such project included the introduction of two new M10 models in 2014. However, investors canceled the entire project in 2017.

Mooney shut down in 2019 and again in 2020 and furloughed or laid off its employees. Upon reopening, Mooney continued to search for an investor. By the fall of 2020, a group of aircraft owners and pilots named US Financial, LLC, bought a majority share of Mooney from Soaring America. Mooney’s current owner and CEO is Jonny Pollack.

Mooney’s Famous Wood Construction History

Before its metal tail appeared in 1958, Mooney’s earlier M20 models featured wooden wing and tail construction. These models showcase their strength and durability in earlier advertisements and marketing campaigns. However, these aircraft are becoming rare as their wood properties require careful inspection and expensive maintenance. Furthermore, wood-made components are susceptible to rot – hugely damaging the plane.

Its wooden wing and tail construction allow the aircraft to fly faster, but there are a confirmed number of incidents of wooden tails breaking up in flight due to water damage and resulting rot. The breakup of these parts while in flight proves it to be more dangerous than a similar model made of metal and other fortified materials. Because of the severity of these incidents, Mooney delivered 166 M20As before stopping its production.

Country of Origin: America

Mooney Mark 21 M20C & Ranger M20 BCG

The following are statistics for the latest variation of the Mooney Mark 21 M20C (1967) and Ranger (1978) aircraft statistics.

Mooney Mark 21 M20C (1967)

164 kts

Maximum Speed

900 nm

Maximum Range

Maximum Occupants

1962-1967

Range Of Years Manufactured

2,422

Total Aircraft Build

Unknown

Current Operational Aircraft

1,050 lbs

Useful Load

$55,440

Average Sale Value

160

Average Days On Market For Sale

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VREF Demand Rating

Mooney Ranger (1978)

174 kts

Maximum Speed

900 nm

Maximum Range

Maximum Occupants

1968-1978

Range Of Years Manufactured

2,422

Total Aircraft Build

Unknown

Current Operational Aircraft

1,050 lbs

Useful Load

$72,765

Average Sale Value

180

Average Days On Market For Sale

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VREF Demand Rating

Operational Resources

Operations Manual

M20C

Maintenance Document

M20C

Local Resources

Manufacturer

Mooney

Insurance

Mooney Mark 21 M20C & Ranger M20 BCG Details

Interior

A newly purchased 1966 Mark 21 would have included interior features like foam-padded bucket seats, deep pile carpeting, and fabric and vinyl options in azure blue, sun gold, or desert sage. Other interior features include a flight-planned instrument panel, cabin air controls, and features reflective of its time (such as a cigarette lighter and ashtrays).

A 1970s Ranger’s interior included Scotch-Gard fabric, vinyl, or leather trim bucket seats, optional headrests, a quiet cabin, radio speakers, and a ventilation system with airflow controls.

Exterior

Marketed for its improved safety and flight stability, Mooney’s 1966 Mark 21 variation features quick-release cowl fasteners for easier engine access, easy-to-remove top and side panels, non-glare windows, and aileron trailing edges with wide flare detailing.

The Ranger’s exterior includes retractable and extendable landing gear, an energy-absorbing steel roll bar cabin design, and a strong continuous spar wing. It also has aerodynamically sealed ailerons, elevators, and rudders to reduce drag and offer better control.

Avionics

A 1967 Mooney Mark 21 M20C may or may not contain the following standard avionics:

Sensitive altimeter
Airspeed
Illuminated magnetic compass
Stall warning indicator
Recording tachometer
Manifold pressure gauge
Oil temperature gauge
Cylinder head temperature gauge
Oil pressure gauge
2 fuel quantity gauges
Fuel pressure gauge
Ammeter
Radio and navigation equipment
Autopilot with heading, pitch, and altitude hold

A 1978 Mooney Ranger M20C may or may not contain the following standard avionics:

Cabin speaker
Broadband COM antenna
NAV antenna
Dual jacks for headphone and mike

Specifications

1967 Mooney Mark M20C:

Max Take Off Weight: 2,575 lbs.
Configuration: Single Engine, Piston, Retractable Gear
Max Seats: 4
Cruise: 160 kts
Range: 900 nm
Take Off Run: 660 ft.
Landing Roll: 560 ft.
Wing Span: 35 ft.
Length: 23 ft. 2 in.
Height: 8 ft. 5 in.
Take Off Run (50 ft.): 1,395 ft.

1978 Mooney Ranger M20C:

Max Take Off Weight: 2,575 lbs.
Configuration: Single Engine, Piston, Retractable Gear
Max Seats: 4
Cruise: 160 kts
Range: 900 nm
Take Off Run: 660 ft.
Landing Roll: 560 ft.
Wing Span: 35 ft.
Length: 23 ft. 2 in.
Height: 8 ft. 5 in.
Take Off Run (50 ft.): 1,395 ft.

Mooney M20 Models

M20

Early models featured wooden structures in the wings and tail. However, these features were a safety hazard and proved dangerous after several incidents resulted in broken tails while in flight. 1960 saw the last of these wooden features. This particular model has a Lycoming O-320 engine, and Mooney made a total of 200.

M20A

This 1958 variant saw an engine change using the Lycoming O-360, which kicked up its horsepower to 180 compared to its predecessor at 150. There were 499 of these made during the years 1958 to 1960.

M20B

This 1961 model kept the same engine as the M20A and made 222. This is the first aircraft you would see without wood parts. From here on, the construction of all M20s is all metal with other necessary materials.

M20C Ranger

In this 1962 model, the M20C made a few tweaks to reduce some of the issues the M20B had. It changed to the Hartzell 74″ Constant Speed HC-C2YK/7666-2 propeller with Hartzell governor, D-l-4, and a reduced cowl flap opening. The Ranger’s exhaust system changed to a Hanlon & Wilson exhaust, which was more lightweight and efficient. Sound and lighting improved with this model, as did its weight, balance, and a few other alterations.

M20D Master

The 1963 M20D featured a Lycoming O-360 engine with 180 horsepower. Mooney made a total of 161 of these models.

M20E Super 21 / Chaparral

Horsepower on this 1964 aircraft increased to 200. Additionally, it featured a Bendix fuel injection and altitude power boost. It also saw an engine shift to the Lycoming IO-360.

M20F Executive 21

The 1966 M20F kept the same horsepower as its predecessor. Furthermore, its fuselage extended by 1 foot and its cabin by 10 inches. This model maintains the same engine as the Super 21 with the Lycoming IO-360, but now with Power Control.

M20G Statesman

The 1968 Statesman M20 model returned to a Lycoming O-360 engine, pulling its horsepower back to 180. The M20G also had an upgraded Long (F model) fuselage, fuel capacity of 52 gallons, Power Control, and a one-piece windshield.

M20J 201

The introduction of the M20J is when many started to take notice of Mooney in the aviation industry. The M20J model was often referred to as the Mooney 201 because it could fly at 201 miles per hour (323 km/h) using its 200 horsepower (150 kW) engine. Here, the propeller is squared off and has a drag reduction similar to that of the F model.

M20K 231

We see our first turbocharged M20 model with the 1979 M20K ignited by an engine change to a Continental TSIO-360-GB or -LB. This model also featured a Rajay-fixed wastegate, 75-gallon fuel capacity, and Dorsal fin air scoop. Minor details included curved wingtips and enclosed lighting.

M20K 252TSE

Also supercharged, this 1986 M20K model came with a Continental TSIO-360-MB engine with the same configuration as its 1979 M20K relative.

M20K Encore

This 1997 M20K Encore model featured a supercharged engine through the Continental TSIO-360-SB. This kicked up its horsepower to 220 compared to its predecessor at 210. Only 27 of these were made.

M20L PFM

This 1988 M20 model had a horsepower of 217 but was not turbocharged. This model is unique as it has a Porsche PFM 3200 engine, created using the engine design of Porsche’s 911 Carrera. This model saw a few changes to its throttle with a replacement mixture and propeller controls using single power control. The M20L PFM’s mixture and propeller rotation speed were adjusted automatically based on the setting of this single control. This particular model did not last, and only 41 were ever made.

M20M TLS / M20M Bravo

Unlike the M20L, the 1989 M20M made an engine switch to the Lycoming TIO-540. This turbocharged aircraft had a horsepower of 270 until 2006, with a total of 314 units.

M20R Ovation / Ovation 2

The 1994 Ovation saw a rise in horsepower to 280 using a Continental IO-550-G engine. This model featured an extra long body until 2001 with 266 units.

M20S Eagle / Eagle 2

The 1999 M20S continued using the same Continental IO-550-G engine as the Ovation with a reduced horsepower of 244. This model also featured a long body, 2-axis STEC autopilot, and 75-gallon capacity.

M20TN Acclaim

This 2006 model changed engines to the Continental TSIO-550-G and had a horsepower of 280. Mooney only produced this turbocharged model from 2006 to 2008.

M20U Ovation Ultra

As one of the most recent models, the 2017 Ovation Ultra has a Continental IO-550-G engine and 280 horsepower. Mooney’s starting price for this model is $689,000.

M20V Acclaim Ultra

This 2017 model uses a Continental TSIO-550-G engine with a horsepower of 280. It is turbocharged and has a set price of $769,000.

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Explore detailed information on VREF Online.

Mooney Mark 21 M20C & Ranger M20 BCG

Mooney’s Famous Wood Construction History