Why are Mooneys so fast?

I transitioned from a taildragger to a mooney super 21. Wonderful airplane to fly, fast, no bad habits, easy to land, compared to my195 or Stearman. Also flew a 201 about 50 hours. Also a very nice stable airplane. I think Al mooney was a genius!
 
Having just flown a 1200 nm round trip in an M20J, right around four hours each way, I felt surprisingly comfortable, once I extricated myself. After three hours in the 182, I am antsy, uncomfortable, and squirming. When I first started flying the Mooney, I didn't think the on-the-floor seating position would be comfortable for any length of time, but I was wrong. Although, on the long trips, once I reach cruising altitude, I push the seat back a bit.

And around 8.5 gph...beats the 182 by a long shot, and gets me there faster. Now, if only I could stuff three dog crates in the Mooney like I can the 182 for those PnP trips...
 
BrianR said:
Although, on the long trips, once I reach cruising altitude, I push the seat back a bit.
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Yup, once George is on the job and if the air is smooth, I slide the seat all the way back. Like riding in a limo.
 
Downcycle said:
Very interesting. You think of the drag induced by a single rivet and it is inconsequential, but I guess if you add all those little parts up it become significant. It also makes sense that that there will be trade-offs in terms of speed vs stability. I like the idea of being able to get to my destination 30% faster, but I also like the idea of my little ones riding in the back without yaking on a turbulent ride, so... I guess I will need to fly both (plus a few others) and see which I prefer!
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The Mooney M20R I'm flying right now is WAY more stable in turbulence than any of the PA28/C172 type airplanes I've flown.
 
Ron Levy said:
Of course, that also made the Mooney line something less than the world's roomiest plane in terms of cabin height and width, and a lot of above-average size pilots find it a bit cramped. But, of course, they are cramped for a shorter time. :wink2:
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6'4" and 300#, and the Mooney is the most comfortable plane I've flown.

And yes, it does get there faster! :D
 
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