Cirrus SR22 vs Mooney M20R Ovation (1994-2008)
Head-to-head — specs, at a glance.
Cirrus SR22
The Cirrus SR22 is the best-selling GA aircraft in the world, a distinction it has held for over two decades. Introduced in 2001, it pairs a Continental IO-550-N (310 hp) with the composite airframe, CAPS parachute and Garmin glass cockpit that define the modern Cirrus. Total SR22/SR22T production exceeds 8,000 aircraft.
- +180 KTAS cruise with 804 nm range at 75% power; strong cross-country platform
- +CAPS whole-airframe parachute provides unmatched safety margin
- +Excellent parts availability and Cirrus-authorized service center network
- !CAPS repack every ~10 years is the single largest recurring maintenance cost
- !Composite damage requires specialized certified technicians; repair costs can be substantial
- !Fixed gear and low-wing design poorly suited to backcountry or rough-field operations
Mooney M20R Ovation (1994-2008)
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 stretched the cabin and added a taller cabin door on top of the M20J's redesigned long-body layout, and it is the naturally-aspirated counterpart to the turbocharged M20K/M20TN line -- same basic engine family strength as the Acclaim, no turbocharger, no manual-wastegate or dual-turbo complexity to manage.
- +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
- !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
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