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Mooney M20R Ovation2 DX
Just as Porsche and Ferrari have earned a reputation for speed and handling on the ground, the Mooney name has become synonymous with fast, single-engine aircraft in the air.
This venerable airplane is favored by pilots who travel for business, who have learned to count on airplanes like the Ovation2 to deliver them where they need to be reliably and on-time.
The airplane features a 300-horsepower, Teledyne Continental IO-550 engine that has been limited to 280-horsepower, giving the Ovation2 a respectable cruise speed of 190 KTAS at 8,000 feet and a carrying capacity of just over 1,000 pounds. It is priced just under $385,000.
While that may not be enough capacity to lug a family of four off to the lake for a week, it’s ample capacity for a two- or three-person business machine or a four-person weekender.
Although Mooney has a reputation for cramped cockpits, it is a reputation that is over-stated. The interior on the Ovation2 is only about six inches narrower than Socata’s TB20, yet without the TB20’s center console, and both cabins are roughly the same height, giving users the glove-like feel of a sports car and a great flying experience. The interior is well-appointed with leather everywhere and a comfortable panel layout, which is important. for flying in IMC.
What makes this a great cross-country machine is the combination of speed and advanced avionics, which are far more important to a business pilot than pure creature comfort. The Ovation2 DX comes with a Garmin 530/430 stack, a GTX 330 Mode S transponder with traffic reporting capabilities for avoiding other airplanes, and a Honeywell Bendix/King KFC225 auto pilot.
Safety features include a standby vacuum system, two alternators and two batteries hooked to a dual-bus electrical system.
Available options include a Stormscope WX-500, an oxygen system, air conditioning, and a TKS weeping wing anti-ice system that is certified for flight into known icing conditions.
All of these features add up to a all-weather get-there machine that will help every pilot meet a busy business schedule.
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Think your plane is ideal for business travel? If so, send us your feedback. |
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While this is not the fastest Mooney airplane on the market, but the Ovation2’s unique combination of speed, capability and economy make it our pick as Bird of the Month.
For more info, visit www.mooney.com, or call 800-456-3033.
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