Mooney · 1994–2008
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
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.
- 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
- 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.
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
| Variant | Condition | Price 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.
1999 Mooney M20R Ovation
GTN 750 · GFC 500 · Speed Brakes · 190 KTAS
ADs & Common Problems
Universal Mooney pre-buy applies. Ovation-specific:
- IO-550-G cylinder condition: 280 HP Continental engines are powerful but cylinder-sensitive; borescope all six cylinders.
- G1000 panel condition (Ovation2+): Verify G1000 database currency and all autopilot modes function.
- Engine monitor data review: Most Ovations have JPI or EI engine monitors -- review CHT/EGT history for excursions.
- Cabin door seal condition: The Ovation's taller cabin door has complex sealing; deterioration causes water intrusion.
- Field service history: Mooney's spotty production status has affected dealer support; verify maintenance shop access in buyer's region.
For sale (1)
Also worth looking at
What buyers usually weigh against the Mooney M20R Ovation (1994-2008) — aircraft flown for the same kind of mission.