Billed As Fastest Normally-Aspirated Single Available

It's a new month... and with it comes a new version of the M20 from Mooney Airplane Company. Less than 60 days after announcing its turbonormalized Acclaim at the Lakeland Fly-In, Mooney announced Thursday the introduction of its new 310-horsepower Ovation3.

The latest addition to the Mooney product line joins its other single-engine retractables, the Ovation2 GX and the aforementioned Acclaim, which took the place of the Bravo in Mooney's lineup.

"The Ovation3 is available now," said David Copeland, Mooney's vice president of sales and marketing. "We have already added it to the production schedule and the first one will enter service this month. The Ovation3 is demonstrating the type of performance that will undoubtedly attract significant attention in the marketplace. With a maximum cruise speed of 197 knots, it is the fastest normally-aspirated single engine airplane available."

"It joins the Acclaim, which will enter service later this year as the fastest turbo-normalized single, cruising in excess of 235 knots," added Copeland. "Together, these two new Mooneys allow us to reclaim our traditional position as the manufacturers of the fastest airplanes in their class."

Mooney reports the Ovation3 offers all the amenities and features of its popular sibling, the Ovation2 GX, but with a higher horsepower, normally-aspirated Teledyne Continental Motors IO 550-G/AP engine to provide improved climb and cruise performance. Mooney reports the Ovation3 has a shorter takeoff distance, and will cruise approximately nine knots faster, than the 280 horsepower Ovation2 GX, depending on altitude.

The Ovation3 is right in the middle of Mooney's model range -- not only in speed, but also in price. Base price of the Ovation3 will be $453,000, between the Ovation2 GX ($438,000) and the Acclaim ($495,000).

"It doesn't take long for you to recognize the exceptional performance of the Ovation3," said Rick Neely, Mooney's director of domestic sales. "On a recent trip in the prototype, it was immediately apparent that its takeoff, climb and cruise numbers are considerably better than the highly successful Ovation2 GX. With three passengers and a full load of fuel on board, our takeoff roll was approximately 800 feet."

"I had a big smile on my face the whole way," he concluded.

Sounds like some new Mooney owners will soon be able to echo that sentiment...

FMI: www.mooney.com