Mooney M20A Model Guide
Mooney M20A · Model Guide
Overview
Mooney M20A is a four-seat, single-engine piston airplane built from 1955 to 1957. It belongs to the M20 family, whose later variants reach up to 222 kt cruise and 1050 nm range (family maxima, not M20A figures). The sources hold no M20A-specific speeds, weights or fuel data, so get the approved flight manual. The main buyer checks are the wood empennage, fuselage tube corrosion and landing gear rigging.
- Four-seat piston single, built 1955-1957. No M20A-specific speed, weight or fuel figures are in the sources, so get the flight manual.
- Service Bulletin M20-170A covers M20 and M20A, all serial numbers: wood empennage inspection, with a metal empennage mandatory within one year.
- AD/M20/32 (Mooney SB M20-208B) targets fuselage tubular structure corrosion; insulation blankets can hide severe corrosion.
- Hartzell STC SA11888CH (two-blade composite propeller) lists M20A as an eligible model.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Reference only, not for flight. Use the current approved manual for your aircraft. See terms, section 5.
Document
Source
Copy found at sprinkle.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type ·
- Model Guide
- Year ·
- 2026
- File size ·
- 48 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
How many seats does the Mooney M20A have?
Mooney M20A is listed with four seats and is a single-engine piston airplane built from 1955 to 1957.
What is the biggest inspection item on a Mooney M20A?
For Mooney M20A, SB M20-170A (all serial numbers) covers the wood empennage. It requires fabric removal and inspection, with a metal empennage mandatory within one year.
Can a different propeller be fitted to a Mooney M20A?
Yes. Hartzell STC SA11888CH lists models M20A-G and J for the two-blade composite propeller. Installers must check compatibility with other modifications already on the aircraft.
What is the Mooney M20A Model Guide?
The Mooney M20A Model Guide is a model guide for the Mooney M20A, dated 2026.
What year was the Mooney M20A Model Guide published?
The Mooney M20A Model Guide — the Mooney M20A model guide on file — is dated 2026.
Common. One of the most common aircraft types we track.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Mooney M20A.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
Mooney M20A for sale now
Free — save the M20 to your watchlist and track it in one place.
More Mooney M20Amanuals & documents
- INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE SA11888CHMaintenance Manual
- SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE SA11888CH INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS INSTALLATION OF THE HARTZELL PROPELLERS MODEL 2C1-R419A1/75C(S)08 ON MOONEY INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION MODELS M20A,B,C,D,E,F,G & J AIRCRAFTSupplemental Type Certificate
- SERVICE BULLETIN M20-345Parts Catalog
- SERVICE BULLETIN M20-344Service Bulletins
- SERVICE BULLETIN M20-325Parts Catalog
- Mooney M20A, B, C, D, GTraining Manual
- SERVICE INSTRUCTION M20--116Service Manual
- GFC 700 AFCS, MOONEY M20M/M20RWiring Diagrams
- AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE AD/M20/32 Amdt 6Airworthiness Directives
- 1961 Mooney M20B MasterChecklist
- Airworthiness Directives for Mooney M20AAirworthiness Directives
- Mooney Service Bulletin M20-170aService Bulletins
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In this document
Wood empennage history
SB M20-170A requires removing the fabric from the horizontal and vertical stabilizers and inspecting the wood skin and glue joints. Recurring inspections run at a 90 day interval, with a fuller 180 day inspection. A cracked fin spar was visible only after removing apparently good fabric. Ask for proof of a metal empennage or of bulletin compliance.
Fuselage structure and landing gear
AD/M20/32 Amdt 6 (Australian CASA) requires action per Mooney SB M20-208B Part A for models built before 1976. Severe corrosion was hidden by cabin insulation blankets. SB M20-344 says gear-up landings and gear collapses trace to pilot error or to improper rigging, lack of lubrication and worn parts. Check the Johnson bar gear, its warning lights and the rigging records.
Equipment and upgrades
Hartzell STC SA11888CH replaces the installed constant-speed propeller with a two-blade composite unit. Mooney Service Instruction M20-116 offers an optional 406MHz ELT retrofit kit to replace the 121.5MHz ELT. It notes that the M20A has a different dorsal fin or none, so the antenna install needs a doubler.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Safety notes
- SB M20-170A: do not fly the wood empennage unless inspected and reworked per the bulletin, or unless a metal empennage is installed.
- Corrosion in the fuselage tubular structure grounded an aircraft in an AD background report; remove cabin insulation blankets for inspection.
- Practice gear operation and warning-light checks. Gear-up landings were pilot error; collapses were maintenance issues.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Full document text
Mooney M20A Model Guide Mooney M20A is a four-seat, single-engine piston airplane built from 1955 to 1957. It belongs to the M20 family, whose later variants reach up to 222 kt cruise and 1050 nm range (family maxima, not M20A figures). The sources hold no M20A-specific speeds, weights or fuel data, so get the approved flight manual. The main buyer checks are the wood empennage, fuselage tube corrosion and landing gear rigging. • Four-seat piston single, built 1955-1957. No M20A-specific speed, weight or fuel figures are in the sources, so get the flight manual. • Service Bulletin M20-170A covers M20 and M20A, all serial numbers: wood empennage inspection, with a metal empennage mandatory within one year. • AD/M20/32 (Mooney SB M20-208B) targets fuselage tubular structure corrosion; insulation blankets can hide severe corrosion. • Hartzell STC SA11888CH (two-blade composite propeller) lists M20A as an eligible model. Wood empennage history SB M20-170A requires removing the fabric from the horizontal and vertical stabilizers and inspecting the wood skin and glue joints. Recurring inspections run at a 90 day interval, with a fuller 180 day inspection. A cracked fin spar was visible only after removing apparently good fabric. Ask for proof of a metal empennage or of bulletin compliance. Fuselage structure and landing gear AD/M20/32 Amdt 6 (Australian CASA) requires action per Mooney SB M20-208B Part A for models built before 1976. Severe corrosion was hidden by cabin insulation blankets. SB M20-344 says gear-up landings and gear collapses trace to pilot error or to improper rigging, lack of lubrication and worn parts. Check the Johnson bar gear, its warning lights and the rigging records. Equipment and upgrades Hartzell STC SA11888CH replaces the installed constant-speed propeller with a two-blade composite unit. Mooney Service Instruction M20-116 offers an optional 406MHz ELT retrofit kit to replace the 121.5MHz ELT. It notes that the M20A has a different dorsal fin or none, so the antenna install needs a doubler. Safety notes: • SB M20-170A: do not fly the wood empennage unless inspected and reworked per the bulletin, or unless a metal empennage is installed. • Corrosion in the fuselage tubular structure grounded an aircraft in an AD background report; remove cabin insulation blankets for inspection. • Practice gear operation and warning-light checks. Gear-up landings were pilot error; collapses were maintenance issues.