Mooney M20F Executive

Mooney introduced the M20F Executive in 1966 as the stretched-fuselage variant of the M20E. Same Lycoming IO-360-A1A engine. Same airframe construction. Same retractable gear. The only major change was the 10-inch fuselage stretch that added rear-seat legroom and a longer baggage compartment behind the seats. The 'Executive' name reflected the airplane's positioning as a slightly more refined Mooney for owners flying with passengers.

Production ran from 1966 to 1977 in parallel with the M20E and M20C. About 1,400 M20Fs were built. Mooney positioned the F as the mid-range Mooney between the entry-level M20C and the future M20J 201. The M20F became popular with family operators and pilots who wanted a Mooney's cross-country efficiency with rear-seat room that the M20C and M20E couldn't deliver.

Production ended in 1977 as Mooney transitioned to the M20J 201 (introduced 1976). The M20F became a used-market-only purchase. The fleet has remained popular with family operators. Mooneyspace.com covers the M20F with the same depth of community resources as other Mooney M20 variants.

The M20F cruises at about 152 KTAS at 75% power, burning 10.5 gph of 100LL. At long-range cruise (65%), the airplane drops to about 142 KTAS on 9 gph. The M20F is about 3 knots slower than the M20E in cruise due to the slightly longer fuselage adding minor drag. Performance is otherwise essentially identical to the M20E. The aerodynamic refinements that define Mooney efficiency carry over.

Useful load on an M20F is about 950 to 1,000 pounds. Full fuel (64 gallons usable) leaves about 700 to 750 pounds for people and bags. The longer fuselage gives meaningfully more comfortable rear-seat seating than the M20C and M20E. Four adults of typical weight plus moderate luggage fit within gross with reasonable loading. Range with reserves is about 850 nm at long-range cruise. The M20F is the most family-friendly of the pre-M20J Mooneys.

The Lycoming IO-360-A1A is the engine on every M20F. Same as the M20E. Four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, fuel-injected, direct-drive piston rated at 200 hp at 2,700 RPM. Lycoming's published TBO is 2,000 hours per Lycoming Service Instruction 1009 BE.

Field overhauls at Penn Yan, Gann Aviation, or other reputable Lycoming shops run $33,000 to $46,000 in 2026 prices. The IO-360-A1A is well-supported with excellent cylinder availability and parts depth. Oil consumption on a healthy engine runs about 0.15 to 0.25 quarts per hour. The constant-speed propeller requires overhaul concurrent with the engine at $2,500 to $4,000.

Plan on $185 to $255 per flight hour at 100 hours a year of utilization, all-in. Operating cost is essentially identical to the M20E. Fuel and oil run about $58 to $74 per hour at 10.5 gph. Engine overhaul reserve is $17 to $23 per hour. Prop reserve adds $1.25 to $2.00 per hour. Airframe maintenance reserve is $28 to $42 per hour. Annual fixed costs add another $55 to $100 per hour at 100 hours a year of utilization.

Insurance is moderate. First-time retract owners pay $3,200 to $5,800. Established Mooney pilots pay $2,000 to $3,800. The slightly larger M20F airframe doesn't meaningfully change underwriter calculations.

Acquisition cost in mid-2026: An M20F with mid-time engine and steam-gauge panel runs $85,000 to $125,000. An M20F with fresh engine and modern Garmin panel runs $125,000 to $155,000. The stretched cabin adds a $10,000 to $15,000 premium over comparable M20E aircraft.