Mooney M20L PFM Model Guide
Mooney M20L PFM · Model Guide
Overview
The Mooney M20L PFM is a four-seat, single-engine piston airplane built 1988-1989. It has a 217 hp Porsche PFM 3200 engine. AOPA Pilot's 1989 flight report says it is valued for easy power management, low noise and efficiency rather than speed. It cruised at about 155 KTAS. Payload with full fuel is limited.
- Single power control replaces throttle, prop and mixture levers; no manual leaning is needed.
- Tested cruise was about 155 KTAS at 2,300 prop rpm, burning 9.5 to 10.5 gph.
- Useful load is 948 lb (759 lb as tested); four adults plus bags leaves very little fuel.
- Base price was $149,900 and 41 were built by 1989, so parts and engine support need checking.
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 ·
- 47 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Height (ft) ·
- 8.33
- Length (ft) ·
- 26.92
- Wingspan (ft) ·
- 36.08
- Cabin length (ft) ·
- 10.5
- Engine power (hp) ·
- 217
- Usable fuel (gal) ·
- 60.5
- Fuel capacity (gal) ·
- 66.5
- Propeller diameter (in) ·
- 74
Performance
- Cruise speed (kt) ·
- 160
- Rate of climb (fpm) ·
- 1,050
- Max level speed (kt) ·
- 168
- Landing over 50ft (ft) ·
- 1,900
- Takeoff over 50ft (ft) ·
- 2,510
- Landing ground roll (ft) ·
- 900
- Takeoff ground roll (ft) ·
- 1,250
- Max operating altitude (ft) ·
- 19,300
V-speeds
- VA_KIAS ·
- 117
- VX_KIAS ·
- 75
- VY_KIAS ·
- 96
- VFE_KIAS ·
- 110
- VLE_KIAS ·
- 129
- VNE_KIAS ·
- 195
- VNO_KIAS ·
- 174
- VSO_KIAS ·
- 57
Weight & balance
- Useful load (lb) ·
- 948
- Empty weight (lb) ·
- 1,952
- Baggage capacity (lb) ·
- 120
- Payload full fuel (lb) ·
- 585
- Max landing weight (lb) ·
- 2,900
- Max takeoff weight (lb) ·
- 2,900
How fast is the Mooney M20L PFM?
The Mooney M20L PFM's manufacturer figures are 160 kt cruise at 2,300 prop rpm and 9,000 ft, and 168 kt max level speed at sea level. The reviewer saw a consistent 155 KTAS at 2,300 rpm.
How much can the Mooney M20L PFM carry?
The Mooney M20L PFM has a published useful load of 948 lb and a 2,900 lb max takeoff weight. With full fuel the payload is 585 lb. The reviewer's airplane carried 2.3 people of 170 lb with full tanks.
What did the Mooney M20L PFM cost new?
The Mooney M20L PFM had a base price of $149,900 and an average equipped retail price of $185,000 for an IFR-equipped one, according to the 1989 AOPA Pilot report.
What is the engine TBO on the Mooney M20L PFM?
The Mooney M20L PFM's Porsche PFM 3200 has a recommended TBO of 2,000 hours. Porsche hoped to reach 3,000 hours with experience. Its cost-assurance program required 100-hour engine inspections.
What is the Mooney M20L PFM Model Guide?
The Mooney M20L PFM Model Guide is a model guide for the Mooney M20L PFM, dated 2026.
What year was the Mooney M20L PFM Model Guide published?
The Mooney M20L PFM Model Guide — the Mooney M20L PFM 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 M20L PFM.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
Mooney M20L PFM for sale now
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In this document
Engine and systems
The Porsche PFM 3200 makes 217 hp at 2,343 prop rpm through a reduction gearbox. It has microprocessor-controlled ignition, Bosch fuel injection that sets the mixture automatically, and fan cooling. Recommended TBO is 2,000 hr. There are two 24-volt batteries, two 70-amp alternators and two electrical buses.
Performance and loading
Manufacturer figures: takeoff ground roll 1,250 ft, rate of climb 1,050 fpm, max level speed 168 kt, max operating altitude 19,300 ft. Max takeoff weight is 2,900 lb. Fuel is 66.5 gal (60.5 usable) and baggage is 120 lb. The cabin is about 10.5 ft long and 3.6 ft wide.
What to check when buying
Check the electrical system and the crossover breaker procedure, which the reviewer called the greatest challenge. Check engine support: Porsche changed its US aviation arrangements and its future production was uncertain. Porsche's cost-assurance program required 100-hour engine inspections. Confirm the useful load of the individual 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
- The electrical system is complex. After a bus failure, redundancy is lost and only battery power remains for the electronic ignition and electric fuel pumps.
- Full fuel limits payload; the review says four adults plus 50 lb of bags leaves fuel only for taxi and an ignition check. Do the weight and balance calculation every flight.
- Shutting off the two fuel pumps stops the engine and propeller almost instantly. Know the shutdown and emergency procedures.
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 M20L PFM Model Guide The Mooney M20L PFM is a four-seat, single-engine piston airplane built 1988-1989. It has a 217 hp Porsche PFM 3200 engine. AOPA Pilot's 1989 flight report says it is valued for easy power management, low noise and efficiency rather than speed. It cruised at about 155 KTAS. Payload with full fuel is limited. • Single power control replaces throttle, prop and mixture levers; no manual leaning is needed. • Tested cruise was about 155 KTAS at 2,300 prop rpm, burning 9.5 to 10.5 gph. • Useful load is 948 lb (759 lb as tested); four adults plus bags leaves very little fuel. • Base price was $149,900 and 41 were built by 1989, so parts and engine support need checking. Engine and systems The Porsche PFM 3200 makes 217 hp at 2,343 prop rpm through a reduction gearbox. It has microprocessor-controlled ignition, Bosch fuel injection that sets the mixture automatically, and fan cooling. Recommended TBO is 2,000 hr. There are two 24-volt batteries, two 70-amp alternators and two electrical buses. Performance and loading Manufacturer figures: takeoff ground roll 1,250 ft, rate of climb 1,050 fpm, max level speed 168 kt, max operating altitude 19,300 ft. Max takeoff weight is 2,900 lb. Fuel is 66.5 gal (60.5 usable) and baggage is 120 lb. The cabin is about 10.5 ft long and 3.6 ft wide. What to check when buying Check the electrical system and the crossover breaker procedure, which the reviewer called the greatest challenge. Check engine support: Porsche changed its US aviation arrangements and its future production was uncertain. Porsche's cost-assurance program required 100-hour engine inspections. Confirm the useful load of the individual airplane. Safety notes: • The electrical system is complex. After a bus failure, redundancy is lost and only battery power remains for the electronic ignition and electric fuel pumps. • Full fuel limits payload; the review says four adults plus 50 lb of bags leaves fuel only for taxi and an ignition check. Do the weight and balance calculation every flight. • Shutting off the two fuel pumps stops the engine and propeller almost instantly. Know the shutdown and emergency procedures.