S is for speed
June 20, 2008 by Ian J. Twombly, Associate Editor
I’m in Osage Beach, Missouri, for the annual cherokee owners fly-in and piggybacking another story on the Type S for an upcoming issue of Pilot. We just got down from flying serial number 94, and it was a real joy. Given that Mooney’s advertising as of late is all about speed, we were obliged to take it up to FL250 and really stretch out her legs. Today it was 25 degrees C above standard and we were close to gross weight. Even then, we were climbing at 900 fpm at an indicated airspeed of 130 when we hit 25,000 ft. Mooney says it will do 242 knots up there. I’m not going to give our real world number just yet. You’ll have to read the story.
Pilots are always saying how difficult it is to land a Mooney and how small it is inside. Let me just say this. If you are a sloppy pilot, you may strike the prop on landing. And if you want more space, buy a King Air. But chances are the Acclaim Type S pilots will pass you on occasion. And they’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.
Tags: Ian Twombly
June 27th, 2008 at 8:36 am
You can imagine how interested I was in reading your article. i just bought SN94 and will take delivery in about 4 weeks. I am putting the Known Ice mod on it. I am not a pilot, but a business guy who needs a very economical fast airplane to get to destinations in the middle US. I have owned a Citation, Saberliner and have chartered King Airs, Conquests, Barons, and 421′s. With fuel prices being what they are I cannot afford to spend $500 and hour for fuel. Sure, I wish I had two engines, more space and have it be pressurized, but at $125 hour for fuel and 260MPH, I can afford to fly this plane any where I want. the avionics are unbleivable. Thanks for you report.