Mooney M20E Chaparral Model Guide
Mooney M20E Chaparral · Model Guide
Overview
The Mooney M20E Chaparral is a four-seat, single-engine retractable-gear aircraft built 1964-1975. It has a 200 hp fuel-injected Lycoming IO-360-A1A. It is the former Super 21, renamed Chaparral in 1969, and it has the smaller of Mooney's two cabins. Max gross weight is 2,575 lbs, with 52 gallons of fuel.
- Four seats, 200 hp IO-360-A1A. The 1969 AOPA Pilot data lists 2,575 lb gross, 1,600 lb empty and 975 lb useful load.
- In the AOPA Pilot test: about 175 mph true at 65% power, about 9.5 gph, and about 5.5 hours endurance on 52 gallons.
- The cabin is smaller than the Executive 21's. The reviewer would fly it alone, but would choose the larger cabin for rear-seat passengers.
- The 1969 base price was $20,755. The reviewer found it gentle and forgiving, and expected above-average reliability and economy.
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 ·
- 49 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Wing span (ft) ·
- 35
- Engine power (hp) ·
- 200
- Useful load (lb) ·
- 975
- Empty weight (lb) ·
- 1,600
- Fuel capacity (gal) ·
- 52
- Max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 2,575
- Propeller diameter (in) ·
- 74
Performance
- Service ceiling (ft) ·
- 18,800
- Cruise fuel burn 65 percent (gph) ·
- 9.5
Weight & balance
- Fuel arm (in) ·
- 48.43
- Max baggage (lb) ·
- 120
- Max hat rack (lb) ·
- 10
- Baggage arm (in) ·
- 93
- Hat rack arm (in) ·
- 114
- Max fuel weight (lb) ·
- 312
- Max gross weight (lb) ·
- 2,575
What can the Mooney M20E Chaparral carry?
The Mooney M20E Chaparral seats four. Max gross is 2,575 lbs, useful load is 975 lbs in the 1969 data, fuel is 52 gallons, and baggage is limited to 120 lbs. Full fuel with four adults needs checking against the envelope.
How fast and high does it go?
In the AOPA Pilot test, the Mooney M20E Chaparral showed about 175 mph true at 65% power. The listed top speed is 190 mph and the service ceiling is 18,800 ft. The M20 family reaches up to 222 kt cruise, but that is a family figure.
What fuel does it use?
The Mooney M20E Chaparral's IO-360-A1A needs 100/130 octane fuel. The manual says never to use a lower grade. Sample fuel from the wing sump drains and the selector valve drain to check for water.
How does it stall?
The Mooney M20E Chaparral stalls at 57 mph with flaps and gear down and 64 mph with both up, per the manual. The reviewer called the stall mild and gentle. Takeoff uses half flaps, with rotation at 60 mph.
What is the Mooney M20E Chaparral Model Guide?
The Mooney M20E Chaparral Model Guide is a model guide for the Mooney M20E Chaparral, dated 2026.
What year was the Mooney M20E Chaparral Model Guide published?
The Mooney M20E Chaparral Model Guide — the Mooney M20E Chaparral 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 M20E Chaparral.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
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In this document
Loading
Max certificated gross weight is 2,575 lbs. Baggage is limited to 120 lbs, the hat rack to 10 lbs, and fuel to 52 gallons (312 lbs). The sample load of pilot plus three 170-lb passengers, 220 lbs of fuel and 60 lbs of baggage reaches 2,575 lbs. A full-fuel, four-adult load therefore needs trimming. Use the weight and balance record and the moment envelope.
Engine and systems
The IO-360-A1A is fuel injected and runs 100/130 octane, with a 74-inch constant-speed propeller and an eight-quart oil sump. Fuel is carried in two 26-gallon wing-root tanks with a selector valve and sump drains. The Power Boost control bypasses the air filter. Use it only in clean air, and keep it off for takeoff and landing. Gear and flaps are electric, and the Brittain Positive Control (PC) autopilot is fitted. The article says a heated pitot is standard.
What to check
PC stays on until the wheel cutout button is held down, so test it. The AOPA test airplane had vibrating primary instruments and an EGT system that read backwards, so verify the instruments and EGT. Check Power Boost and alternate air operation, the gear warning light and the emergency gear extension. The 1966-67 manual lists a 50-amp generator and the revised weight and balance record lists a 60 amp alternator. Confirm the charging system for the specific airplane.
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
- Do not fly in icing conditions. Turn Power Boost off if icing is inadvertently encountered, because snow or ice in the injector can cause power loss.
- Power Boost must be off for takeoff and landing. The boost pump is on for takeoff and landing. Cowl flaps stay open on the ground.
- Gear speed is 120 mph and flap speed is 125 mph. Flaps tolerate more speed than the gear, so watch airspeed when lowering the gear.
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 M20E Chaparral Model Guide The Mooney M20E Chaparral is a four-seat, single-engine retractable-gear aircraft built 1964-1975. It has a 200 hp fuel-injected Lycoming IO-360-A1A. It is the former Super 21, renamed Chaparral in 1969, and it has the smaller of Mooney's two cabins. Max gross weight is 2,575 lbs, with 52 gallons of fuel. • Four seats, 200 hp IO-360-A1A. The 1969 AOPA Pilot data lists 2,575 lb gross, 1,600 lb empty and 975 lb useful load. • In the AOPA Pilot test: about 175 mph true at 65% power, about 9.5 gph, and about 5.5 hours endurance on 52 gallons. • The cabin is smaller than the Executive 21's. The reviewer would fly it alone, but would choose the larger cabin for rear-seat passengers. • The 1969 base price was $20,755. The reviewer found it gentle and forgiving, and expected above-average reliability and economy. Loading Max certificated gross weight is 2,575 lbs. Baggage is limited to 120 lbs, the hat rack to 10 lbs, and fuel to 52 gallons (312 lbs). The sample load of pilot plus three 170-lb passengers, 220 lbs of fuel and 60 lbs of baggage reaches 2,575 lbs. A full-fuel, four-adult load therefore needs trimming. Use the weight and balance record and the moment envelope. Engine and systems The IO-360-A1A is fuel injected and runs 100/130 octane, with a 74-inch constant-speed propeller and an eight-quart oil sump. Fuel is carried in two 26-gallon wing-root tanks with a selector valve and sump drains. The Power Boost control bypasses the air filter. Use it only in clean air, and keep it off for takeoff and landing. Gear and flaps are electric, and the Brittain Positive Control (PC) autopilot is fitted. The article says a heated pitot is standard. What to check PC stays on until the wheel cutout button is held down, so test it. The AOPA test airplane had vibrating primary instruments and an EGT system that read backwards, so verify the instruments and EGT. Check Power Boost and alternate air operation, the gear warning light and the emergency gear extension. The 1966-67 manual lists a 50-amp generator and the revised weight and balance record lists a 60 amp alternator. Confirm the charging system for the specific airplane. Safety notes: • Do not fly in icing conditions. Turn Power Boost off if icing is inadvertently encountered, because snow or ice in the injector can cause power loss. • Power Boost must be off for takeoff and landing. The boost pump is on for takeoff and landing. Cowl flaps stay open on the ground. • Gear speed is 120 mph and flap speed is 125 mph. Flaps tolerate more speed than the gear, so watch airspeed when lowering the gear.