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| T. Kurcz aircraft performance/cost comparison ranked by 75% cruise speed. | T. Kurcz 07/11/00 update | ||||||
| Category/ Aircraft | Mooney Ovation M20R-II | Mooney Eagle M20S | Beechcraft Bonanza A-36 | Bellanca Super Viking 17-30A | Socata Trinidad TB20 | New Piper Saratoga II HP | Commander 115 |
| Engine | TCM IO550-G5 | TCM IO550-G5 | TCM IO550-B | TCM IO550-B | LYC IO540- C4D5D | LYC IO540- K1G5 | LYC IO540- T4-B5 |
| Horsepower | 280@2500 | 244@2400 | 300@2700 | 300@2700 | 250@2575 | 300@2700 | 260@2700 |
| TBO | 2000hrs | 2000hrs | 1700hrs | 1700hrs | 2000hrs | 2000hrs | 2000hrs |
| Propeller | McCauley 2-bl. | McCauley 2-bl. | Hartzell 3-bl. | McCauley 3-bl. | Hartzell 2-bl. | Hartzell 3-bl. | McCauley 3-bl. |
| Max rate of climb @ gross SL/20C | 1250fpm | 1150fpm | 1200fpm | 1200fpm | 1200fpm | 1050fpm | 1050fpm |
| Max rate of climb @ gross 5000'/20C | 890fpm | 850fpm | 850fpm | 895fpm | 850fpm | 645fpm | 640fpm |
| Max rate of climb @ gross 10,000'/0C | 650fpm | 650fpm | 580fpm | 650fpm | 550fpm | 425fpm | 365fpm |
| Service ceiling | 20000msl | 18500msl | 18500msl | 20000msl | 20000msl | 15600msl | 16800msl |
| Cruise @ 75% | 192@ 16gph/ 8000 @WOT/ 2500 | 180@ 14.8gph/ 8000 @WOT/ 2400 | 176@ 19.4gph/ 6500 @WOT/ 2500 | 170@ 16.0gph/ 7500 @WOT/ 2500 | 163@ 15.9gph/ 6500 @WOT/ 2400 | 160@ 18.5gph/ 8000 @WOT/ 2400 | 150@ 14.3gph/ 6000 @2500 |
| Cruise @ 65% | 179@ 12.2gph/ 8000 @2500 | 168@ 12.9gph/ 8000 @2300 | 167@ 16gph/ 8000 @2300 | 160@ 14.0gph/ 7500 @2400 | 157@ 14.0gph/ 6500 @2300 | 155@ 16.5gph/ 8000 @2300 | 144@ 12.0gph/ 6000 @2400 |
| Cruise @ 55% | 158@ 9.7gph/ 10000 @2400 | 155@ 9.2gph/ 10000 @2300 | 149@ 14gph/ 8000 @2100 | 150@ 12.0gph/ 10000 @2400 | 144@ 12.3gph /8500 @2200 | 145@ 14.5gph/ 8000 @2200 | 133@ 10.7gph/ 6000 @2300 |
| Cross-wind capability | 13kt | 13kt | 17kt | 17kt | 25kt | 17kt | 19kt |
| Takeoff over 50' @gross SL/20C/ ZW | 2600ft | 2000ft | 1913ft | 1420ft | 2150ft | 1770ft | 1985ft |
| Landing over 50' @gross SL/20C/ ZW | 2500ft @ 3200lb | 2400ft | 1450ft | 1340ft | 1820ft @ 2943lb | 1520ft @ 3300lb | 1200ft @ 3140lb |
| Takeoff over 50' @gross 2000'/20C/ ZW | 3000ft | 2400ft | 2500ft | 1680ft | 2600ft | 1925ft | 2660ft |
| Landing over 50' @gross 2000'/20C/ ZW | 2800ft @ 3200lb | 2800ft | 1600ft | 1425ft | 1900ft @ 2943lb | 1650ft @ 3300lb | 1300ft @ 3140lb |
| Gear extension speed | 140kts | 140kts | 154kts | 139kts | 129kts | 132kts | 130kts |
| Flap extension speed | 110kts | 110kts | 154kts | 104kts | 129kts | 112kts | 150kts @20deg., 111kts @35deg. |
| Stall speed cruise config. | 66kts | 66kts | 68kts | 66kts | 70kts | 65kts | 61kts |
| Stall speed landing config. | 59kts | 59kts | 59kts | 57kts | 59kts | 60kts | 56kts |
| G-load cruise config. | +3.8/-1.5 | +3.8/-1.5 | +4.4/-1.76 | +3.8/-1.5 | +3.8 | +3.8 | +3.8/-1.52 |
| G-load landing config. | +2.0/-0.0 | +2.0/-0.0 | +3.0/-0.0 | Not published | +2.0 | +2.0 | +2.0/-0.0 |
| Max takeoff weight | 3368lbs (3200lbs landing) | 3200lbs | 3650lbs | 3325lbs | 3086lbs | 3600lbs | 3250lbs |
| Empty weight w/IFR eq. | 2361lbs well equipped | 2209lbs as tested AOPA | 2536bs well equipped (hot prop, no A/C) | 2312lbs | 1944lbs as tested AOPA | 2384lbs well equipped | 2102lbs |
| Useable fuel | 89gal | 75gal | 74gal | 84gal w/ | 86gal | 102gal | 88gal |
| Theoretical range @ 75% | 5.5hrs/ 1045nm | 5.0hrs/ 900nm | 3.8hrs/ 680nm | 5.25hrs/ 892nm | 5.4hrs/ 880nm | 6.0hrs/ 995nm | 6.15hrs/ 923nm |
| IFR range @75%/ 720# payload (.75hr res.) | 2.8hr/ 552nm (@192kts) | 2.2hr/ 405nm (@180kts) | 2.6hr/ 466nm (@176kts) | 2.2hr/ 382nm (@170kts) | 3.6hr/ 594nm (@163kts) | 3.6hr/ 584nm (@160kts) | 4.3hr/ 652nm (@150kts) |
| IFR range @55%/ 720# payload (.75hr res.) | 5.1hr/ 805nm (@158kts) | 4.1hrs/ 635nm (@155kts) | 3.9hrs/ 581nm (@149kts) | 3.3hrs/ 495nm (@150kts) | 4.9hrs/ 705nm (@144kts) | 4.9hrs/ 710nm (@145kts) | 6.0hrs/ |
| Useful load | 1065lbs well equipped | 991lbs well equipped | 1114lbs well equipped | 1013lbs well equipped | 1142lbs well equipped | 1216lbs well equipped | 1158lbs factory equipped |
| Fuel weight w/full fuel | 534lbs | 450lbs | 444lbs | 504lbs | 516lbs | 642lbs | 528lbs |
| Payload w/full fuel | 531lbs | 541lbs | 670lbs | 509lbs | 626lbs | 574lbs | 630lbs |
| 720lb payload fuel/range available | 345lb/ 57.5gal/ 3.6hr/ 682nm (gross) | 271lb/ 45.1gal/ 3.0hrs/ 540nm (gross) | 394lbs/ 65.6gal/ 3.4hrs/ 602nm (gross) | 293lb/ 48.8gal/ 3.0hrs/ 518nm (gross) | 422lbs/ 70gal/ 4.4hrs/ 717nm (gross) | 496lbs/ 82.6gal/ 4.4hrs/ 732nm ( gross) | 438lbs/ 73gal/ 5.1hrs/ 765nm (gross) |
| 440lb payload fuel/range available | 625lb/ 89gal/ 5.5hr/ 1045nm (+90lb =gross) | 551lbs/ 75gal/ 912nm (+101lb =gross) | 674lbs/ 74gal/ 3.8hr/ 680nm (+230lb =gross) | 573lb/ (84gal)/ 5.25hr/ 892nm (+69lb =gross) | 702lbs/ 86gal/ 5.4hrs/ 880nm (+186lb =gross) | 776lbs/ 102gal/ 5.5hr/ 904nm (+140lb =gross) | 718lbs/ 88gal/ 6.1hrs/ 923nm (+190lb =gross) |
| 270lb payload fuel/range available | 795lbs/ 89gal/ 5.5hr/ 1045nm (+261lb =gross) | 721lbs/ 75gal/ 5.0hr/ 900nm (+271lb =gross) | 844lbs/ 74gal/ 3.8hr/ 680nm (+400 =gross) | 743lbs/ (84gal)/ 5.25hr/ 892nm (+239lb =gross) | 872lbs/ 86gal/ 5.4hrs/ 880nm (+356lb =gross) | 946lbs/ 102gal/ 5.5hr/ 904nm (+304lb =gross) | 888lbs/ 88gal/ 6.1hrs/ 923nm (+360lb =gross) |
| Fuel cost/ economy @75%/ 100hrs ($2.50/gal) | $4020 / 12.0nmpg ($.209/nm) | $3720 / 12.16nmpg ($.206/nm) | $4850 / 9.07nmpg ($.275/nm) | $4000 / 10.62nmpg ($.235/nm) | $3975 / 10.25nmpg ($.243/nm) | $4625 / 8.64nmpg ($.289/nm) | $3575 / 10.48nmpg ($.238/nm) |
| Baggage capacity max. | 120lbs | 120lbs | 70lbs@ rear compartment | 186lbs | 143lbs | 200lbs | 200lbs |
| Power loading lb/hp @ max | 12.1lb/hp | 13.1lb/hp | 12.2lb/hp | 11.1lb/hp | 12.3lb/hp | 12lb/hp | 12.5lb/hp |
| Wing loading | 19.3lbs/ sq.ft. | 19.3lbs/sq.ft. | 19.9lbs/sq.ft. | 20.6lbs/sq.ft. | 24.1lbs/sq.ft. | 20.2lbs/sq.ft. | 21.4lbs/sq.ft. |
| Limitations | Normal category, day/night IFR | Normal category, day/night IFR | Utility category, day/night IFR | Normal category, day/night IFR | Normal category, day/night IFR | Normal category, day/night IFR | Normal category, day/night IFR |
| Tannis heater | STC | STC | STC | Factory option | STC | STC | STC |
| IFR price w/dual Garmin 430's | $419K | $344K | $540K | $408K | $348K | $410K | $425K |
| Warranty coverage | 24moA (24mo/ 720hrE) | 24moA (24mo/720hrE) | 12mo/ 1000hrsA (36moE) | 36mo/500hrsA (24mo/720E) | 24moA | 24moA (prorated after 2 yrs.) | 24moA (prorated after 2 yrs.) |
| Maintenance coverage | 2yrs/200hrs all maint. included | ||||||
| Downside comments | Not a short field aircraft, firm handling | Not a short field aircraft, firm handling | Most expensive in class | Limited range | Metric airframe - USA service issues | Fuel thirsty, heavy ground handling | No flap lever pre-select positions |
| 3200 lbs landing weight limitation | Short/stiff landing gear - limited rough field | Fuel thirsty, limited range | Loading limitation: Wing fuel only over 3200lbs | Single duplex magneto drive | Split windscreen distracting | Yaw damper needed in rough air | |
| Short/stiff landing gear - limited rough field | Yaw damper needed in rough air (STD EQ) | Limited service network | Front mounted belt driven alternator | Front mounted belt driven alternators | Front mounted belt driven alternators | ||
| Cowl flaps difficult to operate over 100kts IAS | Cannot check belts without removing cowl | Prop removal req'd. to change belts | Prop removal req'd. to change belts | ||||
| Prop removal req'd. to change belts | Limited parts/service network | ||||||
| Limited parts/service network | |||||||
| Upside comments | Fastest in class, fuel efficient | Least expensive in class | Very fast, smooth, good short field | Best handling in class, very fast, stable | Mod.cruise, good payload | Mod. cruise, good short field | Best IFR range in class, good short landing |
| Great range @ light/mid-weights | Very fast, fuel efficient | Delightful handling, very stable | Best in class climb performance | Pleasant handling, very stable | Pleasant handling, very stable | Best in class 4-seat payload, fuel efficient | |
| Responsive (if firm) handling, very stable | Great range @ light/mid-weights | Panoramic windows, very roomy | Best overall short field in class | Best in class X-wind, good short field | Excellent payload, six seats | Roomy, panoramic windows | |
| No cowl flaps, speed brakes excellent | Responsive (if firm) handling, very stable | 154kt gear & flap extension speed | Beefy landing gear, occasional rough field OK | Very roomy, panoramic windows | Large rear entry/cargo doors | Firm, responsive stick & rudder handling | |
| PP tube controls, improved serviceability | No cowl flaps, optional speed brakes excellent | Great payload, six seats | Beefy landing gear, good rough field | No cowl flaps, wide CG loading range | Beefy landing gear, good rough field | ||
| Dual batteries, elec. stby. vacuum standard | PP tube controls, improved serviceability | Large dual rear entry/ cargo doors | Low RPM cruise, quiet/smooth | Beefy landing gear, good rough field | 150kt flap extension speed | ||
| Gear shock disks maintenance free | Very quiet 2400 RPM cruise | Beefy landing gear, rough fields OK | PP tube controls, TKS prop de-ice standard | Little pitch change on flap deflection | Little/no pitch change on flap deflection | ||
| Good dealer parts/service network | Dual batteries, elec. stby. vacuum standard | R&L cowls open for engine inspection | Strong dealer parts/service network | Dual engine driven vacuum pumps standard | |||
| Gear shock disks maintenance free | Elec. standby pressure standard | Elec. standby vacuum standard | TKS known ice certificated | ||||
| Good dealer parts/service network | Strong dealer parts/service network | Certified 1992 to FAR 23 standards | |||||
| Stall characteristics | Well defined stall buffet, gentle break | Well defined stall buffet, gentle break | Gentle buffet, ailerons effective throughout | Gentle buffet & break | Sharp break, no buffet | Slight buffet into "hobby horse" stall | Gentle buffet & break |
| Offhand comment | Awesome climb, speed & efficiency | Awesome speed & efficiency | Bonanza status, solid performance | Spectacular handling, most fun to fly | Capable newcomer, interesting Euro-design | Solid performer, great six-seat utility | Well built, excellent safety record |
| Technical comment | Book cruise performance at all weights | Book cruise perf. at all weights | Book cruise perf.@ mid-weight | Book cruise perf. @ full gross | Book cruise perf. at all weights | Book cruise perf. @ mid-weight | Book cruise perf. @ full gross |
| Electro-mechanical gear & flaps | Electro-mechanical gear & flaps | Electro- mechanical gear & flaps | Electro- hydraulic gear | Electro-hydraulic gear & flaps | Electro-hydraulic gear & flaps | Electro-hydraulic gear & flaps | |
| Over-gross gear insp. pilot responsibility | Gear doors may be lost in very rough fields | Utility category = 90 deg.bank, 4.4G+ | Electro-mechanical flaps | Full flying stabilator | Full flying stabilator | Cruciform horizontal stabilizer | |
| Gear doors may be lost in very rough fields | Narrow post in center of windscreen | Balanced/ blueprinted engine est. 315hp | Wood wing, tube & fabric fuselage | Turbo-diesel version to be released 2001 | |||
| Narrow post in center of windscreen | 1350 RPM Downwind taxi propeller limitation | Two narrow posts R&L of windscreen | |||||
| 1350 RPM downwind taxi propeller limitation | Optional inflatable door seal desirable | ||||||
