This 1988 Mooney M20K 252TSE Is an ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick That Does More with Less

Like most Mooneys, this turbocharged M20K turns a little fuel into a lot of speed.

Mooney produced the M20 series from 1955 to 2019, with occasional gaps in production. [Courtesy: Matt Gabbard]

Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Mooney’s M20 series aircraft will always be known for their speed and efficiency—or should we say “efficiency and speed?” The two elements are so tightly intertwined in this design that neither really outshines the other. Let’s just say that not long after the aircraft went on sale in 1955 it gained notoriety for clocking speeds of about 148 ktas—or 170 mph as they liked to say back then—using a 150 hp Lycoming O-320. That’s right, the same engine that has powered so many Cessna 172s into the neighborhood of 100 ktas on a good day.

As time marched on, M20 models grew ever faster with IO-360 engines, turbocharging, numerous aftermarket speed mods, and even larger Lycoming and Continental engines that arrived later. The M20K for sale here is known for book cruising speeds over 200 ktas, all on 210 hp.

This Mooney M20K 252TSE, which was repainted in 2015 and received a new interior this year, has 810 hours on the airframe, its Continental TSIO-360-MB1 engine, and McCauley propeller since new. Additional equipment includes speed brakes, vortex generators, and Cleveland brakes.

The panel includes a Bendix-King KCS55A HSI, KI525A pictorial navigation indicator, KI256 flight director, KFC150 autopilot, PMA7000 audio panel Garmin GNS430W GPS/Nav/Com, KX165 Nav/Com, GTX33ES transponder, Trans-Cal SSD12030A altitude encoder/air data computer, and JPI EDM 730 engine monitor.

Pilots looking for a high-performance piston single with low airframe and engine time, and fuel consumption on par with many trainers, should consider this 1988 Mooney M20K, which is available for $239,900 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

Jonathan Welsh is a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4

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