Cessna T182T Turbo Skylane vs Mooney M20K 231/252/Encore (1979-1998)
Head-to-head — specs, at a glance.
Cessna T182T Turbo Skylane
The 2001-present Cessna T182T is the current-production turbocharged Skylane. The Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A produces 235 HP and holds cruise power up to its 20,000 ft maximum operating altitude -- the reason to pay for the turbo over the plain 182T. Approximately 700+ examples have been delivered through 2026.
- +Full power to 20,000 ft altitude — excellent hot-and-high performance
- +160 KTAS cruise at FL170, 25–35 KTAS faster than 182T above 17,000 ft
- +1,010 FPM sea-level climb; 800+ FPM at 8,000–10,000 ft density altitude
- !Turbocharger overhaul adds $10,000–$15,000 vs. normally aspirated 182T
- !Top overhauls common at 800–1,200 hours (vs. 1,500+ on IO-540)
- !Reduced useful load by 90 lbs; heavier empty weight
Mooney M20K 231/252/Encore (1979-1998)
The Mooney M20K 231 is the **turbocharged sibling of the M20J 201** -- the same redesigned long-body airframe with a Continental TSIO-360-GB (later -LB) turbocharged engine producing 210 HP, introduced in late 1978 for the 1979 model year. It was Mooney's first turbocharged single since the 1960s production Mustang-adjacent experiments, and the "231" name is contemporary marketing shorthand for its performance, not a certificate designation -- the FAA lists it, the 252 and the Encore all as "Model M20K" on one certificate section.
- +1,100 NM range — longest in single-engine piston class
- +200 KTAS cruise at FL200 — fastest naturally aspirated 4-seat Mooney equivalent
- +Turbocharged performance enables high-altitude operations (24,000 ft ceiling)
- !Manual wastegate on 231 models requires constant pilot management to avoid over-boost
- !Turbocharged Continental engines run hot; cylinder life depends on consistent cool-down discipline
- !No cabin pressurization — oxygen mandatory above 12,500 ft
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