Graham Warwick/Oshkosh Kate Sarsfield/London
MOONEY AIRCRAFT is surveying the market for the M20T Predator, a two-seat aircraft based on the company's unsuccessful entry in the US Air Force's early-1990s enhanced flight-screener competition. Based on Mooney's high-performance four-seaters, the Predator has side-by-side seating under a sliding canopy, and dual stick controls.
The Predator, with a distinctive "Bengal Tiger" paint scheme, is being displayed at several shows, beginning with Oshkosh '97, to test the market for such an aircraft. The market evaluation is likely to last several months and, if the anticipated interest materialises, the company could certificate the aircraft under the utility category. Performance and pricing have not been established.
Kerrville, Texas-based Mooney, meanwhile, has renamed its existing product line. The normally aspirated,150kW (200hp) M20J MSE becomes the Allegro, and the turbocharged, 200kW M20MTLS becomes the Bravo. These renamed aircraft join the improved 165kW Encore and 210kW Ovation in Mooney's product line.
The French privately owned company has announced that it is to undergo a capital and management restructure. It claims to be holding negotiations with an "experienced US aviation group that has already invested in Mooney".
Source: Flight International
