FEATURED IN THE JUNE 1995 MAPA LOG

Aviation history consists of major technological and exciting events, such as the first all metal airplane or the first transatlantic crossing. The introduction of the Mooney Ovation M20R by Mooney Aircraft could very well be a first in aviation history. The speed and fuel efficiency of this aircraft make it the ideal candidate for transatlantic crossings. The M20R can be upgraded to perform the coast to coast crossing from Gander, Canada, to Shannon, Ireland (1,700 nm) nonstop at a moment's notice. This, without the need for ferry tanks or special ferry permits and in compliance with the Candian three hour fuel reserve rule.

A combination of fuel efficiency speed and fuel capacity make the above possible. The Ovation can cruise at 170 kts at FL 180 just burning 8.5 gallons/hour. This speed and fuel flow produces a cruise performance of 20 nm/gallon. With the standard tanks of 90 gallons, this will give a no-reserve range of 1,800 nm. For the Gander-Shannon crossing this leaves a half-hour reserve, not enough for a ten hour flight and not in compliance with Canada. However, when upgraded with the long range option, the total fuel capacity is increased to 120+ gallons. This would provide a no-reserve range of 2,400 nm of four hours reserve for the Gander-Shannon crossing.

In this configuration, the Ovation becomes the only GA piston engine aircraft capable of a nonstop, coast to coast, transatlantic crossing without the need for ferry tanks and in full compliance with the Canadian regulations. Those who have done the crossing with ferry tanks know how cumbersome they are.

Since all M20R's are equipped with GPS and standard avionics, no additional navigation equipment is required except for an HF transceiver. The Bendix/King KHF-950 would make an ideal set for permanent installation. It's remote control panel can easily be fitted in the instrument panel. The exciter and PA/coupler can be mounted in the mid bulkhead station of the tail cone. Since the KHF-950 can tune antennas as short as 10 feet, the antenna wire can run from the vertical fin to the forward cabin top (a la old ADF sense) for a length of 18 feet.

Although all of this may sound like an expensive proposition (and it is), it will cost you at least 15 times the price of an Ovation to find another aircraft capable of accomplishing the same mission. The others are mid to high end business jets. Yet, for about $300K, you will have a brand new machine capable of accomplishing what the multimillion dollar ships do for much less money. With this capability, you can fly yourself to the Paris Air Show every other summer or to Oshkosh if you are based in the Old World. For land lovers, you can fly coast to coast nonstop from KLAX to KDCA.

However, the Ovation is not the only aircraft that can raise eyebrows. When upgraded with the long range option, the TLS can beat any scheduled airline (connecting flights) on a trip from New York to Key West (1,077 nm) in less than five hours. The M20M would be cruising nonstop at FL 250 at 225+ kts burning 21 gallons/hour. The total fuel consumed would be 104 gallons, with 16+ gallons left for reserve. Performing this trip with the standard 90 gallon tanks would add over an hour each way, by either stopping for fuel or slowing the aircraft to 170 kts for added range (and not much for reserve). Add to this at least two hours each way if you have do Customs (at fuel stop and destination), like from Palm Beach, FL to the US Virgin Island. You could lose a day of your vacation just in travel!

The value of speed becomes most significant on long trips. On a 200 nm flight a difference between 225 kts and 170 kts translates to a 17 minute difference in flight time. However, on a 1,100 nm trip like from NY to Key West, the difference becomes 1:35 hours each way, and 3:10 hours round trip. If the aircraft can not sustain the high cruise speed for a long trip because of limited fuel capacity or if it has to land to refuel, then the extra power for speed is useless when needed most. The long range option allows the TLS to make maximum use of its performance when most desired.

This upgrade is most sought by those who use their Mooneys for serious travel. It allows the TLS and the Ovation to perform mission profiles only rivaled by the turboprops and business jets.