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Mooney · 1994–2008

Mooney M20R Ovation (1994-2008)

mooneyretractablelow-wingfastefficientcross-countryhigh-performanceComplex280hpnaglass-cockpit
Mooney M20R Ovation (1994-2008)

Specifications

Performance

Cruise

190KTAS

Range

1300nm

Climb

1190fpm

Ceiling

20,000ft

Fuel Burn

14.5gph

Fuel Cap.

89gal

MPG

15.1mpg

Stall (Vs0)

59KIAS

T/O roll

900ft

Ldg roll

800ft

Size & weight

Seats

4

Useful Load

1243lbs

Full-fuel payload

709lbs

Max gross

3,368lbs

Wingspan

36.1ft

Length

26.8ft

Engine

Engine

Continental IO-550-G

Power

280hp

TBO

2,000hrs

Overhaul

$52k

Owning it

Hull insurance

$4k/yr

Parts

fair

Mechanics

specialist

Gear

Retractable

IFR

Yes

Category

certified

Full specification

V-speeds

Vne196 KIAS
Vno175 KIAS
Va132 KIAS
Vs167 KIAS
Vx79 KIAS
Vy105 KIAS
Best glide105 KIAS

Airframe

Empty weight
2,125 lbs
Max fuel weight
534 lbs
Height
8.4 ft
Wing position
low

Obstacle performance

Takeoff over 50 ft
1,400 ft
Landing over 50 ft
1,900 ft

Paperwork

Type certificate
2A3
Certification basis
CAR 3

These figures are typical for the model, not a specification for any individual aircraft. Real-world numbers vary with year, installed equipment, weight, modifications and engine condition — often by more than you would expect. Use them to compare types, and confirm anything you would act on against the Pilot's Operating Handbook for that specific airframe and a prebuy inspection.

Pricing

Typical

$340k

Range

$240k – $525k

Annual all-in

~$36k/yr

All-in at ~100 flying hours a year, using the midpoint of each range — the same figures broken out under “Cost to own” below. Your number will differ, and mostly for two reasons. Experience sets your insurance: a 2,000-hour pilot with recent training pays 30–40% less than a 200-hour owner, and student owners pay 20–40% more — on the same aircraft that is often a doubling. Location sets your hangar: a T-hangar runs $200–400 a month in the Midwest against $400–1,500 in a coastal metro, and an outside tie-down is less again. Engine reserves move too — a local shop reusing your serviceable cylinders can come in 30–50% under the national specialty-shop pricing we quote, though you trade the warranty and turnaround that comes with it. Reserves are money set aside toward a future overhaul, not a bill this year, and the annual inspection figure is the shop’s labor to look — whatever they find is separate.

Cost to own — estimate

Set your yearly hours and local fuel price. Fixed costs (insurance, hangar, annual inspection) don't change with hours; fuel, maintenance and the engine reserve do.

100
20300
$6.50
$3$10
Fuel (14.5 gph)
$9,425
Engine reserve
$2,600
Propeller reserve
$175
Maintenance, parts & wear items ($22/hr)
$2,200
Insurance
$5,700–$11,300
Hangar
$5,805–$14,512
Annual inspection (labor only)
$2,500
Databases & subscriptions
$700
Total per year
$36,259
Per flight hour
$363
Miles flown / year (at cruise)
21,865 mi
Cost per mile
$1.66/mi
300 nm
100 nm1,000 nm
Time in the air
1 hr 35 min
Fuel burned
23 gal
Out of pocket
$227

Fuel, engine reserve and wear only. Insurance, hangar and the annual are already paid whether you make the trip or not, so they are not charged here.

Estimate, not a quote. Where a line shows a range, the total, per-hour and per-mile figures use its midpoint— insurance moves most with your experience and time in type, hangar with where you base the aircraft, so your own number could sit at either end. Annual inspection is the shop's labor to open and inspect — what they find is the maintenance line, which covers oil changes, plugs, tires, brakes, hoses, lights, a battery and vacuum pump amortised over their life, and the unscheduled squawks that are the largest and least predictable part of it. Reserves are sinking funds toward an overhaul, not a bill you pay this year — and note that a propeller is due on hours or calendar time, typically six years, so flying less does not put it off forever.

Title & Escrow partnerExample placement

Strengths

  • 1,300 NM range — longest non-turbo Mooney
  • 190 KTAS cruise at 75% power — 20 KTAS faster than M20J
  • 1,243 lbs useful load — strong payload for class
  • 280 HP IO-550-G — proven 6-cylinder power and climb performance

Weaknesses

  • IO-550-G cylinder sensitivity — requires borescope inspection on all six
  • Complex cabin door seal design — water intrusion risk if deteriorated
  • Limited dealer support — Mooney's production history affects regional availability
  • G1000 dependency on Ovation2/3 models — database currency and autopilot verification required

Overview

The 1994 Mooney M20R Ovation was a major step up in performance for the M20 line -- the first Mooney with a 6-cylinder Continental IO-550-G engine producing 280 HP, replacing the M20J's 200 HP Lycoming IO-360. The Ovation airframe added a stretched cabin, taller cabin door, and refined fuselage aerodynamics on top of the M20J's redesigned long-body layout.

The Ovation line evolved through three distinct generations:

  • Ovation (1994-2002): Original 280 HP IO-550-G, "Ovation"
  • Ovation2 / GX (2003-2005): 280 HP same engine, refined interior, available with Garmin G1000
  • Ovation3 / DX (2006-2008): Final production refinements, standard G1000

Approximately 700 Ovations were produced across the 1994-2008 run. The Ovation became Mooney's flagship NA single until production temporarily ceased in 2008 due to financial difficulties, restarted briefly 2011-2014, and then ceased again.

The 280 HP Difference

The IO-550-G's 80 HP advantage over the M20J's IO-360 produces dramatic improvements:

  • Cruise: 190 KTAS at 75% power (vs 170 KTAS M20J)
  • Climb: 1,190 FPM (vs 1,030 FPM M20J)
  • Range: 1,300 NM (vs 1,000 NM M20J)
  • Useful load: 1,243 lbs (vs 1,000 lbs M20J)

The Ovation's 1,300 NM range is the longest of any non-turbo Mooney -- transcontinental US legs achievable with fuel reserves.

Performance

  • Cruise: 190 KTAS at 8,500 ft (75% power)
  • Climb: 1,190 FPM at gross
  • Fuel burn: 14.5 GPH at cruise
  • Range: 1,300 NM with reserves at 89 gal fuel
  • Useful load: 1,243 lbs

Valuation Factors

VariantConditionPrice Range
Ovation (1994-2002)Flying but tired$230,000-$295,000
Ovation (1994-2002)Well-maintained$290,000-$385,000
Ovation2 / GX (2003-2005)Well-maintained$325,000-$435,000
Ovation3 / DX (2006-2008)Well-maintained$385,000-$525,000

The Ovation has appreciated significantly since 2020 due to the Mooney production cessation -- buyers seeking new long-range NA Mooneys have only the resale market.

Financing partnerExample placement
Mooney M20R Ovation
For saleListing

1999 Mooney M20R Ovation

GTN 750 · GFC 500 · Speed Brakes · 190 KTAS

$249,9002,760 hrs TT · Longmont, COView listing →

ADs & Common Problems

Universal Mooney pre-buy applies. Ovation-specific:

  1. IO-550-G cylinder condition: 280 HP Continental engines are powerful but cylinder-sensitive; borescope all six cylinders.
  2. G1000 panel condition (Ovation2+): Verify G1000 database currency and all autopilot modes function.
  3. Engine monitor data review: Most Ovations have JPI or EI engine monitors -- review CHT/EGT history for excursions.
  4. Cabin door seal condition: The Ovation's taller cabin door has complex sealing; deterioration causes water intrusion.
  5. Field service history: Mooney's spotty production status has affected dealer support; verify maintenance shop access in buyer's region.

For sale (1)

1999 Mooney M20R Ovation

$249,900
Year: 1999
TT: 2,760 hrs
Longmont, CO
View details →

What buyers usually weigh against the Mooney M20R Ovation (1994-2008) — aircraft flown for the same kind of mission.