I never watched any video for 30 minutes, let alone 47 minutes...until this one. First time I see your video and it will not be the last. Congratulations on a superbly made video and a well delivered, full of real knowledge, job. From Orlando, Florida...best wishes from a retired Science College Professor, who flies for fun.
I'm an A&P and a Pilot. I've never felt so engaged and enthralled about these two baby birds as when this Gent from across the puddle talks about them. Well done, sir. I'm now subscribed with ALL notifications. If only all people could talk about planes like this guy. He doesn't come across as pompous, he doesn't have a "Radio-voice" like so many do, I just enjoyed his presentation.
Thank you for noticing that I just talk normally. I really dislike the "news reporter" voice or talking differently because there is a camera. There is no need. I always wonder if the newscasters talk at dinner parties or at home to their partners like they do on camera. It is annoying to watch.
@@skywagonuniversity5023 nobody on the planet has a more formulaic News cadence as the people from Skynews Australia. You know what I'm talking about, it's the same pattern repeated over and over again.
I came this close to getting my complex endorsement in a Mooney. My flight school had one on the line, but no instructors were checked out yet in it. Soon the Mooney moved away. Maybe because no one flew it? In any case, the Mooney with the manual retractable landing gear is at the top of my airplane shopping list for when that magical time arrives. The 177RG however is in the number two slot. Now, on with the show!
Outstanding, thorough review. I’ve owned my fixed gear Cardinal for 10 years. I have a few things to add: The Cardinal fuel system is stone simple: Left/Right/Both. Mine lives in Both 99% of the time. The prop clearance on the Cardinal is greater than the Mooney’s, something to consider for grass field ops. Cardinals come with 3 point shoulder harnesses. I retrofitted mine with the B.A.S. 4 point, inertia reel system. Not sure if shoulder harnesses are an option for Mooneys. The Cardinal Flyers Online, the type club for Cardinals, is one of the best run, informative, and active groups out there, despite the relatively small fleet size. As a result, there are many after market mods available for Cardinals. One of the most popular is the tuned exhaust by Powerflow. The Powerflow exhaust adds “bolt on” horsepower, which is most noticeable on takeoff and climb, but will also add a couple of knots in cruise. My fixed gear Cardinal has several additional speed mods and I typically see true airspeeds between 130-135 knots (150-155 mph) at 10.4 -10.8 GPH between 6000-8000 feet, 75% power. Not bad for an airplane built in 1970 with the gear down and welded. The Cardinal’s front seats adjust fore/aft, up/down, and the seat back angle can be adjusted. The up/down feature is great for shorter pilots/pax. No need for cushions or phone books (millennials & younger may need to Google that 😜). In the end, both are excellent airplanes. Having to choose between them is a very 1st world problem. I’m a lucky man to be the caretaker of my Cardinal. I plan to leave it better than I found it.
I own a 75 Cardinal. It took me 3 months to decide between the Cardinal and a Mooney. The cabin and my wife's opinion made the decision. Never looked back. This was brilliant. Thanks.
Just recently began flying an M20C for my complex endorsement and I absolutely loved it. Your videos on the Mooney had very me very excited and the plane delivered!
I rode along as a student in a Mooney M20C Ranger many many years ago having a few hours in a 150 and loved it. I asked the instructor in confusion "why doesn't everyone have one of these"?
Mark is a great guy. When I was shopping for a Mooney I called him up to talk financing. Mark had a beautiful little M20C for sale that I was eyeing. Mark steered me in the right direction for financing and while I didn’t end up buying him C I ended up going with an M20J with another broker. 10 years later I still love my Mooney but I always appreciated Mark’s help by talking to me and his excellent customer service.
I appreciate the entertaining video Mr. Mark and Mr. Don. I am planting corn tonight, and I listened to the whole presentation, and even caught a few glances because my tractor is on autopilot.
That is excellent, you have a video or at least a computer on internet in your automatic piloted tractor. Or your phone. Anyway, I'd like to see a video on that.
@@skywagonuniversity5023 I am using a Trimble TMX autopilot on my John Deere 8420. The Trimble autopilot recieves radio signals from stationary GPS base stations around my county that calculate GPS position corrections. The base stations broadcast that correction signal (over the air via radio) to the Trimble in the tractor. The Trimble uses the correction signal information to refine the GPS location of the tractor to within a fraction of an inch many times a second. The Trimble autopilot uses sensors (accelerometers, angle sensors, and gyros) mounted on the tractor to further refine the other variables: instantaneous heading, steering angle, and tilt of the machine (which moves the roof mounted GPS reciever). The autopilot compensates for all those variables in realtime and steers the tractor. Autopilot has many uses for the farm, but in a nutshell, it helps us reduce overlap, reduce chemical/fertilizer/fuel/seed waste, and increase productivity. It's nice to have something that makes it easier on the operator, saves money, and helps the environment a little too! How rare is that?!
I flew a Mooney with extended range tanks for an 8 hour leg, followed by a 5 hour leg. I slept in the plane between legs. Never ever said Mooney's were too small or uncomfortable again. Ended up buying a Mooney for myself! - Don the Camera Guy.
I have a G model Mooney and love it. It is almost impossible to get out of CG. One day I was playing around on foreflight to see what it would take and 120lbs in the baggage and two 250lb passengers in the back seat and only me up front is what it took to get it past the aft CG limit.
The first time I was allowed some stick time was on a Mooney m20e was my bosses when I was 16 loved it he used to say it seats 2.5 adults lol I went everywhere I could in it
Bought my 76 Cardinal RGII in 1987 with 1600hrs on it for $18,000 ; )' It had sat for 4yrs without flying and had 3mths left on the annual. Changed the tires and battery when I bought it. It has been the perfect airplane for my family of 4 over the years. I still have it today and it has been the best investment I have ever made! Only a couple of minor unscheduled mx issues over 35yrs of ownership. I highly recommend the Cardinal to anyone still on the fence! They were made from 71 to 78 and the best models to get are the 76 and 77 the 78 is 24 volts.
One of the best side-by-side comparisons I've seen. You have a knack for this. I've never flown a Mooney, but have quite a few hours in a 177 identical to that one, & I loved flying it. Thx for doing the video.
two wings each! Who would have guessed!! Thanks for the video brings back great memories. My dad had a 76 177 RG, loved flying in it! Great visibility in the 177 and easy to get in and out of may be the only advantages for me
Thanks for your evaluation. I have 700 hrs in the Cardinal RG from my flight instructing days. I owned a Mooney G for 20years. Obviously, my preference is the Mooney. The Cardinal will carry more with decent speed but the Mooney will fly faster, stronger, better economy and ramp appeal.
I thought your video was superb. The footage was great. It was very informative and your narration did not seem pretentious or condescending. Thank you, my friend.I will be subscribing
Started in Cessna 172's, then went to Cherokee Warriors. Love them both but always longed for a Mooney. I picked up a low time 68 M20C that needed a lot of TLC and a restore job. Its almost done and can't wait to fly it. Your Video and the flight in your Mooney was very inspiring and helpful. Thanks!
I’ve often wondered about this tendency to hyper focus on the “complex” part of transition which scared me to the point of procrastination to get it done. I finally confessed my anxiety, to my CFI and he understood. Think of it as a natural transition to a slightly more competent version of the plane you’ve already been flying. Maybe it’s only a constant prop. Then add some retractable gear to start.
Great side by side comparison. Years ago when I was in university, we did a road trip down to Eugene, Ore with my Prof. who belonged to a flying club there. The 4 of us piled into a mooney and flew it back to YVR. I was 6’2” at the time, and very comfortable in the back seat..
I have a Mod Squad 63 M20C under restoration. Some advice if your looking for a Mooney make sure you inspect the tubing in the cabin structure for rust. Especially near windows & doors where water can leak in. Also those instrument inspection panels can leak if not sealed properly. Some Mooney's mostly later ones have poor paint adhesion on the tubing & are completely bare steel. Requires pulling the interior, hand sanding rust & painting with a brush to get to the blind side against the skin. If it's bad, tubing has to be cut out & new tube welded in. I was lucky with my bird someone had Dinitroled the whole airframe. The aluminum inside the wings was like a mirror, Dinitrol saved it from sitting outside for years. ACF & Boesheild don't last & are inferior products to Dinitrol. Make sure you get a mechanic thats a real expert on Mooney's for the prebuy. Alot of great pretenders out there.
Excellent “unbiased” overview. I have a 75 Cardinal RGII and you covered everything in a very factual manner. Thanks for the additional hot start technique. I will definitely be using that though I have the STC’d Lycoming IO390. I had done a prebuy on a 1980 Mooney M20K 231 model but there were too many squawks and it had been sitting out on tie down for a couple years in Maine coastal weather. Mooneys are great planes and the designers captured the essence of what pilots wanted in a true commuter plane. It is interesting that the popular RV aircraft use the same pushrod style controls and captured that crisp accurate responsiveness that you describe in your narrative.
Thanks. Yes, the early K model Mooneys (M20K-231) has the problematic IO-360 GB six cylinder Continental in them. Upgraded to the IO-360 LB1B which is a bit better.
I owned a "G" for about 10 years and loved it. Put on every speed mod available except the "J" cowl. Installed a Garmin 530/430 comm/nav combo plus JPI fuel flow and a few others for the panel. Fuel bladders and manual gear solved lots of issues/ADs. If there was a way to kill recurring inspections, it was done. I eventually sold her to a guy that really seemed to appreciate her. The Cardinal is a great aerial SUV but the Mooney is pure FUN.
177 RG, 1976 owner since 2008. Still in love. Best SEP aircraft handlingwise and very reasonable performance and economy in that power-range. Just a super aircraft.
Another comprehensive and very enjoyable video. If I had my choice I’m not certain which I would choose. I have flown the RG years ago during flight training and it was a joy to fly. I loved the sleek appearance. It just looked fast. Great access through the doors and the visibility through that big windshield.
still laughing a.e.i.o.u. are vowels and it must be dam early in the morning when mark does not know every rivet on a plane another great video thanks skywagon university 👍
Very nice Mark.. my instructor was a Mooney advocate.. Reinhard Jarshke.. if I remember his story correctly, he ferryed the first Mooneys to Germany.. 6 aircraft in total I believe. And yes, he was biased.. but his instruction was first rate, as tho he owned the Piper and Cessna we used. Thanks for your objective comparison. Always a pleasure watching.
@@skywagonuniversity5023 and you don't carry them to Telluride in August, to be sure, not without turbo-normalizing. Man, when I can scrape together enough rubles to buy an airplane, I'm coming to you. Even though you're out of my way, you're an absolute riot!
Thanks. I try to make the videos not about sales, but I see your point. The exact equivalent Mooney would me a 1977 201 and as far as pricing goes, those two would be very similar. The E is older (1965) and therefore cheaper, but that does not make it go slower.
Great video! I was torn between buying the Mooney, the Cardinal or the Arrow, when I flew with a salesman to look at a plane in his TR182. This year I will now have owned my TR182 for 20 years and love it more each and every year.
Many thanks for your bringing back my deep-seated nostalgia for Mooneys. I bought an M20A at the end of my AID tour in Chile and flew that baby back to DC, taking seven weeks to visit friends and sightsee en route, a trip of some 6,900 miles. What a fast, comfortable long-legged beauty that flying marvel was. Sniff, sniff...
6,900 miles but a wonderful adventure, taking 7 weeks, with 3 in Mexico. I am sorry, I didn't find your response 'tol just now. Great nostalgia...thanks
Great comparison video on these two aircraft. I've flown the Cardinal a number of times when my friend owned one. He was working on his IFR rating at the time. We found it to be quite capable as an IFR platform. When I flew a Mooney years ago, it did well as an instrument ship and was fast too! Thanks for your informative content!
Love the video. I owned a M20F from 2001-2016 and loved it. Looked at the M20E but I am 6'5" and needed additional seat travel. I did this exact comparison and I am so surprised how small people think Moonies are. In terms of legroom the Cessnas are terrible, the PA-28 are ok but the leg room in the Mooney is great. The Mooney was fast and strong. Great video.
This is easily the best Mooney video on the internet. To get the real Mooney measurements I had to find one and do it myself. I bought a Comanche but I still do have love for the Mooney.
We operated a Comanche 400 for a few years delivering newspapers to country Victoria in the late 60s. In summer, after refuelling, doing a hot start involved purging the air from the lines by flooding and then flogging the starter, mixture lean and full throttle. What a pia it was !
When hot, add no fuel and give it full throttle and no fuel at all (mixture out) crank it, it starts and quickly mixture in and throttle out before it rev's up. The 720 in a 400 is literally two 360's, so same process.
As always, love your videos. I learn so much from them. This is the most comprehensive comparison of a Mooney versus a competitor. Great job and please keep the videos coming!👏🏽 PS: love my M20J! Think the Mooneys are superior in their class and were definitely ahead of their time.
Ironically, I flew my 140 last Saturday, and I was behind a Cardinal on departure at my home airport. As he rounded the bend, I noticed how sleek the airframe was around the windscreen and thought how nice it looked. When I landed at my destination. A Mooney M20 (not sure of which model) landed after me and taxied in next to me. I got out and walked around it and thought... "I could see myself in one of these!! It's beautiful!!!" That is what landed me on your video. After seeing the review, I think the Mooney would be my choice because I just love the way low wing aircraft handle. I also like the sound of the rugged construction with the pushrods and the heavy wing spar, and I like the rubber pucks in the gear. Sure, you have to replace them once in a while, but I can't tell you how many times I have gone out to fly the Cherokee, and the damn struts have lost all of their nitrogen and I am stuck. Even after rebuilding them, they still leak!! I had a Musketeer with the bucks, and it landed beautifully! I am going to start looking at Mooneys!!
Really appreciated the comparison! Have always wanted a Cardinal, mainly for the ease of entry and getting in and out of planes at my age has become a limiting factor. Just now getting checked out in an intercooled M-31. It is very comfortable once I'm in. Have to say I really like the way it flies and lands. I will be giving the owner instrument training.
Hmmm… well I flew a ‘65 Mooney for a few years and ended up with a ‘75 Cardinal for the last 20+ years. With my two bladed prop (a three bladed is slower in cruise), I cruise at 150ktas. I measure my cabin width at the shoulders and it is 48 inches. I am certain it is wider than the mooney. I would be shoulder touching shoulder with my flight instructor in the mooney but in the Cardinal there’s a good five inches between our shoulders. Plus I have a center console between the two seats that is 4 inches wide. Nothing beats the Cardinal doors and there are after market door stops to keep them from becoming wind sails. At any rate, the Mooney is a wonderful aircraft but I find the Cardinal to be a much more comfortable aircraft with great range and about the same fuel economy and speed. I also thinks it’s the prettiest single piston aircraft Cessna ever produced. I would love to redo this presentation with my two bladed Cardinal, beautiful paint job, mint interior, and, of course, let my bias towards the Cardinal shine thru.
I’m all about “bringing fold up bikes” to the destination for two people and not calling Uber. The Cardinals handle that mission perfectly with ease, the Mooney forget it. Being able to see the guy landing next to you on parallel runway with your wing up as you turn to final is a God send. Cirrus nightmare as everyone remembers.
I used to 'help' a guy fly his '65 E. Oh dear god was that a fun time in my life! However finances have changed, and so must my playthings. I have to relate one of my last BFRs in that Mooney. For the 'unusual attitude' portion I put my head down to my knees, Jim put it in a shallow, full powered descent, and then slooowly pulled back back back. At stall speed he kicked left rudder, throttle to idle, and said, 'your airplane'! So I look up, and we have no airspeed, no vertical speed, stall horn screaming, staring straight down at the ground - we're just hanging there in a perfect hammerhead stall. It was hilarious. 'course, I didn't have to do a thing - just don't pull the wings off. LOVE tha 'E'.
Mark, great review as always! I owned two Mooney M20Cs (63 and 65) before buying my current 64 Cessna 210. The Mooneys are fantastic but I just got tired of crawling out of the Mooneys. I’m 6’3”, 220lbs and the Cessna is just easier to get in and out. The quality of the Mooney is higher but Cessnas are like GM cars. They’re everywhere, parts and mechanics are readily available and they’re easy to fly. I actually had a couple mechanics tell me they wouldn’t work on my Mooney because it was hard to access. But the efficiency and speed for given power is hard to beat. Great assessment of both planes.
I'm a Mooney guy (M20J) who has also owned a Cessna 172 and has flown several Piper models. Cessna's generally don't get my blood flowing. However, recently, one of my friends...who's fairly tall...bought a Cardinal and I have to say, it's a pretty impressive and capable airplane.
The Cardinal door is a blessing and a curse. Easy to get in and out of, but don't let it go in the wind. We did a comparison video on the two aircraft. ua-cam.com/video/EBvU3-eSfX4/v-deo.html
@@skywagonuniversity5023 LOL...that was one of the first things my friend told me when we did a walk-around! I also find the gear up kind of funky. Very bird-like.
Loved the comparison! One day a 177 FG is in my future. However, I have always been enamored with Mooney aircraft. Just not the best choice for me due to arthritic knees. Great presentation and comparative detail.
Lot's of jokes in this one. I always see you as a serious guy, so enjoyed all the humor! Thank you for the comparison. I am currently looking for a 210 to get a true 4-place aircraft that is high-wing and actually checked one you "had". I really want a 2-door and so rare to find a low-wing with 2 doors. Also, large people getting into a low-wing tend to "fall in" and then have to climb out. While getting into the high-wing is stepping up into it and stepping down out of it. Thank you for the new video Mark!
@@skywagonuniversity5023 I enjoy your depth of knowledge on the subtleties of the variations. Your video was long because it was full of information. I did not feel like there was anything else you could have speed up or trimmed as it seems the pace was very well done and there was no superfluous content. I think that people that don't like long videos are probably more turned off to that and not that it is "chocked full of" good content!
I have flown and liked both aircraft. My first landing done in the M20E with 4 onboard was a forced landing due to the failure of the fuel injection pump. Although it was into a short grass strip with a gorge on the threathhold on the approach and lake at the other end and a strong crosswind l managed to do a copybook forced landing due to its ease of control. Appart from the inconvidience this landing did have a very happy ending for me. One of my passengers that l had met for the first time 3 days before became my wife and the mother of my two sons.
I have .5 unlogged (riding right seat) in a 20E, what a blast that was.It's my potentially-attainable dream plane. The 177 is a fine aircraft in its own right, but something about the M20 just speaks to me.
I love your presentations -- very interesting and informative. And the demo that follows is great too ! ! Will definitely be looking out for more -- Thanks
Got to fly a Mooney a bit when I was 12 (mid '60's) and it was tight. Then I found out years later a school buddy bought a Cardinal - but I've never been in one. Being tall, I really like the twin doors of the Cardinal. But dang, Mooney's are cool.
Grew up flying with my father, who owned two different Mooney. If I was ever buy a plane I would be purchasing a Mooney, probably a J model. Plainly, just a helluva sexy plane.
Put the 201 windshield, South West cowling, move the oil cooler, convert the generator to alternator, straight six panel, and put the Johnson bar back and you have the perfect airplane. Wait for the "clunk" of the step dropping down during taxi. I bought my E out of Placerville. And did my 10 hours of required instruction out of there. Coming from only Cessna's it totally freaked me out! Placerville being on a hill but Auburn was even worse. I felt like I was below the trees on final. After a couple days of this we went to Lincoln and I said finally a flat runway! The big thing is that the plane is so efficient that if you don't have the gear down before descending you never will get down to VLE. One of the reasons I loved the Johnson bar is that if they ask you to keep your speed up on approach you could comply. Then once inside the FAF you just get it right at the bottom of the glideslope then pull back on the yoke and watch the a.s. drop. Once at 120 drop the gear and get right back on GS. Just make sure you let your passengers know before you do it. Neither plane is High Performance since the regulation is OVER 200 horse power thus you don't need a High Performance endorsement.
Excellent comparison. Way back a commercial real estate company I worked with used three Mooney's with basically no problem. Then women started using them and made a switch to the Cardinal RG. The only reason was the girls could easily wear heels, and skirts and get into the Cardinal, especially the back seat all ladylike.
@@skywagonuniversity5023 I've heard that once before, but you were the first I have seen with a measuring tape, proving it. I like the M20E Short body. It's that unique back window that gets me.
The one big catch is flight controls check, just because you move the yoke back-and-forth and side to side, verifying that they are free, it is extremely important that you verify they are CORRECT. Get something out of maintenance has been hooked up backwards, the controls will feel free even when they were hooked up in reverse. Position the controls to the right or left your choice looking ahead, tell yourself which aileron should be up in which should be down, to verify they are correct. Upon takeoff, if they are hooked up backwards your mental capability and muscle memory will not realize the problem if they are hooked up backwards. You absolutely must verify before every flight that they are correct, this is just as important with the rudder except less deadly. If your engine runs rough or sounds horrible and you decide to takeoff anyway you have a chance. If your flight controls are messed up and you didn't catch it before takeoff you are dead. The flight control check is more important than anything else on the aircraft. I have seen so many times people never actually check to be sure they are correct.
That particular check is done during the walk around. Each control surface is moved and you can easily see the yoke react properly. We just don't have the cameras on then.
I really had hopes for going to Telluride in August with my anvils 🤣🤣. Seriously though, great video! Your knowledge of these airplanes is much appreciated .
Had a 182 RG I loved , it was my dream airplane, if you could close the doors it would take off, and it never smelled like it had just rained with the doors open, lol
Thanks for the tip re starting a hot IO-360. I have a slightly different technique with my Mooney M20J, but I'm going to try yours out tomorrow to see if she starts any quicker. My technique is to keep mixture out and throttle slightly cracked - works every time, but it does take 3-4 seconds of cranking.
Very nice video. I have a NAvion my friend has a Mooney, and another has an A36. We fly out to breakfast usually once a week from LOO and have a ball. Nice planes Mooneys...
"A.E.I.O.U. are vowels" had me rolling. Love your presentations.
Thanks, I Fly Central!
And sometimes Y
And he totally missed: "E-I-E-I-O is, of course, MacDonald, and a farmer."
@waveydaveyav8r442 That would of been giid too!
@@anthonydelrosario1718 The new
'Gear on both planes... 3 wheels each, very similar'. Legend. Great comparison Mark, hope to see more in the future! Thank you for the video
Thanks.
As someone said when comparing a high wing vs. a low wing, "it depends on if you want to bang your head or your shine." Nice video.
I never watched any video for 30 minutes, let alone 47 minutes...until this one. First time I see your video and it will not be the last. Congratulations on a superbly made video and a well delivered, full of real knowledge, job. From Orlando, Florida...best wishes from a retired Science College Professor, who flies for fun.
We are humbly grateful for the high praise. We know you are looking down the barrel of Hurricane Ian right now. Stay safe!
I'm an A&P and a Pilot. I've never felt so engaged and enthralled about these two baby birds as when this Gent from across the puddle talks about them. Well done, sir. I'm now subscribed with ALL notifications. If only all people could talk about planes like this guy. He doesn't come across as pompous, he doesn't have a "Radio-voice" like so many do, I just enjoyed his presentation.
Thank you for noticing that I just talk normally. I really dislike the "news reporter" voice or talking differently because there is a camera. There is no need. I always wonder if the newscasters talk at dinner parties or at home to their partners like they do on camera. It is annoying to watch.
@@skywagonuniversity5023 nobody on the planet has a more formulaic News cadence as the people from Skynews Australia. You know what I'm talking about, it's the same pattern repeated over and over again.
Great video! I really enjoyed the “vowel” joke too
Thanks.
I came this close to getting my complex endorsement in a Mooney. My flight school had one on the line, but no instructors were checked out yet in it. Soon the Mooney moved away. Maybe because no one flew it?
In any case, the Mooney with the manual retractable landing gear is at the top of my airplane shopping list for when that magical time arrives. The 177RG however is in the number two slot.
Now, on with the show!
Either plane will serve you well.
I got my complex and instrument rating in a Mooney M20E at a flight school in Florida. I now own a Mooney M20K 252
Daywm
Outstanding, thorough review. I’ve owned my fixed gear Cardinal for 10 years. I have a few things to add:
The Cardinal fuel system is stone simple: Left/Right/Both. Mine lives in Both 99% of the time.
The prop clearance on the Cardinal is greater than the Mooney’s, something to consider for grass field ops.
Cardinals come with 3 point shoulder harnesses. I retrofitted mine with the B.A.S. 4 point, inertia reel system. Not sure if shoulder harnesses are an option for Mooneys.
The Cardinal Flyers Online, the type club for Cardinals, is one of the best run, informative, and active groups out there, despite the relatively small fleet size. As a result, there are many after market mods available for Cardinals. One of the most popular is the tuned exhaust by Powerflow. The Powerflow exhaust adds “bolt on” horsepower, which is most noticeable on takeoff and climb, but will also add a couple of knots in cruise. My fixed gear Cardinal has several additional speed mods and I typically see true airspeeds between 130-135 knots (150-155 mph) at 10.4 -10.8 GPH between 6000-8000 feet, 75% power. Not bad for an airplane built in 1970 with the gear down and welded.
The Cardinal’s front seats adjust fore/aft, up/down, and the seat back angle can be adjusted. The up/down feature is great for shorter pilots/pax. No need for cushions or phone books (millennials & younger may need to Google that 😜).
In the end, both are excellent airplanes. Having to choose between them is a very 1st world problem. I’m a lucky man to be the caretaker of my Cardinal. I plan to leave it better than I found it.
Thanks for the input from a long time owner.
Yes, you can retrofit retract shoulder harnesses on a Mooney.
I own a 75 Cardinal. It took me 3 months to decide between the Cardinal and a Mooney. The cabin and my wife's opinion made the decision. Never looked back. This was brilliant. Thanks.
Thanks
Excellent video with so much knowledge. Thanks for sharing. Well done.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I like the Mooney!! Nice plane!! Great comparison!!
Couldn't agree more, Das Maverick!
Without a doubt the best narration of these two planes, thank you Mark.
Excellent. Thanks.
Can I eat my lunch first?
Hunter is on his way out here to pick me up to go play golf
Just recently began flying an M20C for my complex endorsement and I absolutely loved it. Your videos on the Mooney had very me very excited and the plane delivered!
I rode along as a student in a Mooney M20C Ranger many many years ago having a few hours in a 150 and loved it. I asked the instructor in confusion "why doesn't everyone have one of these"?
Excellent overview that I enjoyed vicariously as I'm not current right now 🙂
The throttle quadrant of the M20F executive is beautiful. It is set up so nicely.
Mark is a great guy. When I was shopping for a Mooney I called him up to talk financing. Mark had a beautiful little M20C for sale that I was eyeing. Mark steered me in the right direction for financing and while I didn’t end up buying him C I ended up going with an M20J with another broker. 10 years later I still love my Mooney but I always appreciated Mark’s help by talking to me and his excellent customer service.
Thanks Steve.
Thank you for an excellent comparison.
Glad you liked it!
I appreciate the entertaining video Mr. Mark and Mr. Don. I am planting corn tonight, and I listened to the whole presentation, and even caught a few glances because my tractor is on autopilot.
That is excellent, you have a video or at least a computer on internet in your automatic piloted tractor. Or your phone. Anyway, I'd like to see a video on that.
@@skywagonuniversity5023 I am using a Trimble TMX autopilot on my John Deere 8420. The Trimble autopilot recieves radio signals from stationary GPS base stations around my county that calculate GPS position corrections. The base stations broadcast that correction signal (over the air via radio) to the Trimble in the tractor. The Trimble uses the correction signal information to refine the GPS location of the tractor to within a fraction of an inch many times a second.
The Trimble autopilot uses sensors (accelerometers, angle sensors, and gyros) mounted on the tractor to further refine the other variables: instantaneous heading, steering angle, and tilt of the machine (which moves the roof mounted GPS reciever). The autopilot compensates for all those variables in realtime and steers the tractor.
Autopilot has many uses for the farm, but in a nutshell, it helps us reduce overlap, reduce chemical/fertilizer/fuel/seed waste, and increase productivity. It's nice to have something that makes it easier on the operator, saves money, and helps the environment a little too! How rare is that?!
@@chester8420 I need that tractor in my life!
Superb. I’ve been looking at a share in a Mooney and this video was so informative. Thanks!
I flew a Mooney with extended range tanks for an 8 hour leg, followed by a 5 hour leg. I slept in the plane between legs. Never ever said Mooney's were too small or uncomfortable again. Ended up buying a Mooney for myself! - Don the Camera Guy.
I have a G model Mooney and love it. It is almost impossible to get out of CG. One day I was playing around on foreflight to see what it would take and 120lbs in the baggage and two 250lb passengers in the back seat and only me up front is what it took to get it past the aft CG limit.
The first time I was allowed some stick time was on a Mooney m20e was my bosses when I was 16 loved it he used to say it seats 2.5 adults lol I went everywhere I could in it
Bought my 76 Cardinal RGII in 1987 with 1600hrs on it for $18,000 ; )' It had sat for 4yrs without flying and had 3mths left on the annual. Changed the tires and battery when I bought it. It has been the perfect airplane for my family of 4 over the years. I still have it today and it has been the best investment I have ever made! Only a couple of minor unscheduled mx issues over 35yrs of ownership. I highly recommend the Cardinal to anyone still on the fence! They were made from 71 to 78 and the best models to get are the 76 and 77 the 78 is 24 volts.
Excellent. Long term owner. Thanks.
Ditto on vowels. Great set up. Cracked me up.
Thanks!
Terrific! How can you make an airplane comparison so informative and funny at the same time! Best I have seen!
Thanks.
One of the best side-by-side comparisons I've seen. You have a knack for this. I've never flown a Mooney, but have quite a few hours in a 177 identical to that one, & I loved flying it. Thx for doing the video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
two wings each! Who would have guessed!! Thanks for the video brings back great memories. My dad had a 76 177 RG, loved flying in it! Great visibility in the 177 and easy to get in and out of may be the only advantages for me
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks for your evaluation. I have 700 hrs in the Cardinal RG from my flight instructing days. I owned a Mooney G for 20years. Obviously, my preference is the Mooney. The Cardinal will carry more with decent speed but the Mooney will fly faster, stronger, better economy and ramp appeal.
I thought your video was superb. The footage was great.
It was very informative
and your narration did not seem pretentious or condescending. Thank you, my friend.I will be subscribing
Glad you liked it!
Started in Cessna 172's, then went to Cherokee Warriors. Love them both but always longed for a Mooney. I picked up a low time 68 M20C that needed a lot of TLC and a restore job. Its almost done and can't wait to fly it. Your Video and the flight in your Mooney was very inspiring and helpful. Thanks!
Fantastic video Mark - again!!!
Glad you enjoyed it
I’ve often wondered about this tendency to hyper focus on the “complex” part of transition which scared me to the point of procrastination to get it done. I finally confessed my anxiety, to my CFI and he understood. Think of it as a natural transition to a slightly more competent version of the plane you’ve already been flying. Maybe it’s only a constant prop. Then add some retractable gear to start.
Great side by side comparison. Years ago when I was in university, we did a road trip down to Eugene, Ore with my Prof. who belonged to a flying club there. The 4 of us piled into a mooney and flew it back to YVR. I was 6’2” at the time, and very comfortable in the back seat..
See, It's true.....
I have a Mod Squad 63 M20C under restoration. Some advice if your looking for a Mooney make sure you inspect the tubing in the cabin structure for rust. Especially near windows & doors where water can leak in. Also those instrument inspection panels can leak if not sealed properly. Some Mooney's mostly later ones have poor paint adhesion on the tubing & are completely bare steel. Requires pulling the interior, hand sanding rust & painting with a brush to get to the blind side against the skin. If it's bad, tubing has to be cut out & new tube welded in. I was lucky with my bird someone had Dinitroled the whole airframe. The aluminum inside the wings was like a mirror, Dinitrol saved it from sitting outside for years. ACF & Boesheild don't last & are inferior products to Dinitrol. Make sure you get a mechanic thats a real expert on Mooney's for the prebuy. Alot of great pretenders out there.
All very true. Check your steel frame in a pre-buy if it has lived in a damp climate. .
"A.E.I.O.U. are vowels" had me rolling. Love your presentations.. "A.E.I.O.U. are vowels" had me rolling. Love your presentations..
Glad you enjoyed it. You must be as easily amused as I am.
Excellent “unbiased” overview. I have a 75 Cardinal RGII and you covered everything in a very factual manner. Thanks for the additional hot start technique. I will definitely be using that though I have the STC’d Lycoming IO390. I had done a prebuy on a 1980 Mooney M20K 231 model but there were too many squawks and it had been sitting out on tie down for a couple years in Maine coastal weather. Mooneys are great planes and the designers captured the essence of what pilots wanted in a true commuter plane. It is interesting that the popular RV aircraft use the same pushrod style controls and captured that crisp accurate responsiveness that you describe in your narrative.
Thanks. Yes, the early K model Mooneys (M20K-231) has the problematic IO-360 GB six cylinder Continental in them. Upgraded to the IO-360 LB1B which is a bit better.
Well done Mark.
Thanks, Mac!
I owned a "G" for about 10 years and loved it. Put on every speed mod available except the "J" cowl. Installed a Garmin 530/430 comm/nav combo plus JPI fuel flow and a few others for the panel. Fuel bladders and manual gear solved lots of issues/ADs. If there was a way to kill recurring inspections, it was done. I eventually sold her to a guy that really seemed to appreciate her. The Cardinal is a great aerial SUV but the Mooney is pure FUN.
Outstanding Mark. Greetings from San Antonio, Texas
Glad you enjoyed it
177 RG, 1976 owner since 2008. Still in love. Best SEP aircraft handlingwise and very reasonable performance and economy in that power-range. Just a super aircraft.
They are great planes.
Another comprehensive and very enjoyable video. If I had my choice I’m not certain which I would choose. I have flown the RG years ago during flight training and it was a joy to fly. I loved the sleek appearance. It just looked fast. Great access through the doors and the visibility through that big windshield.
Another great video and great source of information! Thanks Mark!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
My uncle had a new Mooney, back in the 60's, and he loved it.
I'd like to have had one new back then too.
still laughing a.e.i.o.u. are vowels and it must be dam early in the morning when mark does not know every rivet on a plane another great video thanks skywagon university 👍
I slightly amused myself with that. It just came out.
Thank you Mr. Mark. Very informative. Mooney is my favorite too.
Very nice Mark.. my instructor was a Mooney advocate.. Reinhard Jarshke.. if I remember his story correctly, he ferryed the first Mooneys to Germany.. 6 aircraft in total I believe. And yes, he was biased.. but his instruction was first rate, as tho he owned the Piper and Cessna we used.
Thanks for your objective comparison. Always a pleasure watching.
Thanks. All planes are excellent.
@@skywagonuniversity5023 yes they are!
OMG.... "...So you might not want to go to Telluride in August with your Anvils." I totally rofl-coptered!
Yes, my Anvil delivery program is only kept with Turbo 206's etc. Not Mooneys and cardinals. ;-)
@@skywagonuniversity5023 and you don't carry them to Telluride in August, to be sure, not without turbo-normalizing. Man, when I can scrape together enough rubles to buy an airplane, I'm coming to you. Even though you're out of my way, you're an absolute riot!
Very informative. First time I got to learn about the elevator trim on the moonie. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it, Lee!
A cost to purchase comparison would be nice. Love your videos always entertaining and educational.
Thanks. I try to make the videos not about sales, but I see your point. The exact equivalent Mooney would me a 1977 201 and as far as pricing goes, those two would be very similar. The E is older (1965) and therefore cheaper, but that does not make it go slower.
Great video! I was torn between buying the Mooney, the Cardinal or the Arrow, when I flew with a salesman to look at a plane in his TR182. This year I will now have owned my TR182 for 20 years and love it more each and every year.
Those are great planes.
Many thanks for your bringing back my deep-seated nostalgia for Mooneys. I bought
an M20A at the end of my AID tour in Chile and flew that baby back to DC, taking seven weeks to visit friends and sightsee en route, a trip of some 6,900 miles. What a fast, comfortable long-legged beauty that flying marvel was. Sniff, sniff...
That was a long trip from Chile.
6,900 miles but a wonderful adventure, taking 7 weeks, with 3 in Mexico. I am sorry, I didn't find your response 'tol just now. Great nostalgia...thanks
Great comparison video on these two aircraft. I've flown the Cardinal a number of times when my friend owned one. He was working on his IFR rating at the time. We found it to be quite capable as an IFR platform. When I flew a Mooney years ago, it did well as an instrument ship and was fast too! Thanks for your informative content!
Thanks.
This comparison was top of my wish list. It’s like you guys can see into my head. Thank you.
Glad you liked it!
Wow! Very cool information on the Mooney E !
Glad you liked it!
Love the video. I owned a M20F from 2001-2016 and loved it. Looked at the M20E but I am 6'5" and needed additional seat travel. I did this exact comparison and I am so surprised how small people think Moonies are. In terms of legroom the Cessnas are terrible, the PA-28 are ok but the leg room in the Mooney is great. The Mooney was fast and strong. Great video.
Mooney's are surprisingly good for tall people.
Great idea to compare these ! Comparing the operators was always interesting too :)
Agreed!
Appreciate the grovelling under the bellies - great vid!
Our pleasure!
This is easily the best Mooney video on the internet. To get the real Mooney measurements I had to find one and do it myself. I bought a Comanche but I still do have love for the Mooney.
Wow, thanks!
Never flown the Mooney but have a lot of time in 177rg, absolutely loved that plane.
Thank you for the review. Great insights.
Glad it was helpful!
Bought my first plane in a ‘67F back in December and I couldn’t be happier. Superior aircraft in the class.
Excellent.
We operated a Comanche 400 for a few years delivering newspapers to country Victoria in the late 60s.
In summer, after refuelling, doing a hot start involved purging the air from the lines by flooding and then flogging the starter, mixture lean and full throttle.
What a pia it was !
When hot, add no fuel and give it full throttle and no fuel at all (mixture out) crank it, it starts and quickly mixture in and throttle out before it rev's up. The 720 in a 400 is literally two 360's, so same process.
Now I’m even more impressed with Mooney.
They are great.
Greatly enjoyed the level of detail you brought to this video. You know your Mooney very well! Excellent comparison detail as well. Well done sir!
We are glad you enjoyed it, Ed!
As always, love your videos. I learn so much from them. This is the most comprehensive comparison of a Mooney versus a competitor. Great job and please keep the videos coming!👏🏽
PS: love my M20J! Think the Mooneys are superior in their class and were definitely ahead of their time.
Ironically, I flew my 140 last Saturday, and I was behind a Cardinal on departure at my home airport. As he rounded the bend, I noticed how sleek the airframe was around the windscreen and thought how nice it looked. When I landed at my destination. A Mooney M20 (not sure of which model) landed after me and taxied in next to me. I got out and walked around it and thought... "I could see myself in one of these!! It's beautiful!!!" That is what landed me on your video. After seeing the review, I think the Mooney would be my choice because I just love the way low wing aircraft handle. I also like the sound of the rugged construction with the pushrods and the heavy wing spar, and I like the rubber pucks in the gear. Sure, you have to replace them once in a while, but I can't tell you how many times I have gone out to fly the Cherokee, and the damn struts have lost all of their nitrogen and I am stuck. Even after rebuilding them, they still leak!! I had a Musketeer with the bucks, and it landed beautifully! I am going to start looking at Mooneys!!
Thanks. It's good to point out the benefits and shortfalls of the various planes.
Beautiful landing with the Cessna!!!
Get lucky every now and then
Excellent class!
Really appreciated the comparison! Have always wanted a Cardinal, mainly for the ease of entry and getting in and out of planes at my age has become a limiting factor. Just now getting checked out in an intercooled M-31. It is very comfortable once I'm in. Have to say I really like the way it flies and lands. I will be giving the owner instrument training.
Hmmm… well I flew a ‘65 Mooney for a few years and ended up with a ‘75 Cardinal for the last 20+ years. With my two bladed prop (a three bladed is slower in cruise), I cruise at 150ktas. I measure my cabin width at the shoulders and it is 48 inches. I am certain it is wider than the mooney. I would be shoulder touching shoulder with my flight instructor in the mooney but in the Cardinal there’s a good five inches between our shoulders. Plus I have a center console between the two seats that is 4 inches wide. Nothing beats the Cardinal doors and there are after market door stops to keep them from becoming wind sails.
At any rate, the Mooney is a wonderful aircraft but I find the Cardinal to be a much more comfortable aircraft with great range and about the same fuel economy and speed. I also thinks it’s the prettiest single piston aircraft Cessna ever produced. I would love to redo this presentation with my two bladed Cardinal, beautiful paint job, mint interior, and, of course, let my bias towards the Cardinal shine thru.
I’m all about “bringing fold up bikes” to the destination for two people and not calling Uber. The Cardinals handle that mission perfectly with ease, the Mooney forget it. Being able to see the guy landing next to you on parallel runway with your wing up as you turn to final is a God send. Cirrus nightmare as everyone remembers.
Mooney's are not built to haul bikes.
I used to 'help' a guy fly his '65 E. Oh dear god was that a fun time in my life! However finances have changed, and so must my playthings. I have to relate one of my last BFRs in that Mooney. For the 'unusual attitude' portion I put my head down to my knees, Jim put it in a shallow, full powered descent, and then slooowly pulled back back back. At stall speed he kicked left rudder, throttle to idle, and said, 'your airplane'! So I look up, and we have no airspeed, no vertical speed, stall horn screaming, staring straight down at the ground - we're just hanging there in a perfect hammerhead stall. It was hilarious. 'course, I didn't have to do a thing - just don't pull the wings off. LOVE tha 'E'.
Scary stuff but a strong plane.
@@skywagonuniversity5023 I'm not sure you could do that in a Cessna or Piper(?). PS: send money so I can start flying again😃
I rarely comment, this was a stellar video
Thank you, Nolan. We'll consider that high praise!
Mark, great review as always! I owned two Mooney M20Cs (63 and 65) before buying my current 64 Cessna 210. The Mooneys are fantastic but I just got tired of crawling out of the Mooneys. I’m 6’3”, 220lbs and the Cessna is just easier to get in and out. The quality of the Mooney is higher but Cessnas are like GM cars. They’re everywhere, parts and mechanics are readily available and they’re easy to fly. I actually had a couple mechanics tell me they wouldn’t work on my Mooney because it was hard to access. But the efficiency and speed for given power is hard to beat. Great assessment of both planes.
Picky mechanics. But, the 210 is much easier to get in and out of, for sure.
I'm a Mooney guy (M20J) who has also owned a Cessna 172 and has flown several Piper models. Cessna's generally don't get my blood flowing. However, recently, one of my friends...who's fairly tall...bought a Cardinal and I have to say, it's a pretty impressive and capable airplane.
The Cardinal door is a blessing and a curse. Easy to get in and out of, but don't let it go in the wind. We did a comparison video on the two aircraft. ua-cam.com/video/EBvU3-eSfX4/v-deo.html
@@skywagonuniversity5023 LOL...that was one of the first things my friend told me when we did a walk-around! I also find the gear up kind of funky. Very bird-like.
I love your presentation style. This was informative, thanks!
Glad you liked it!
Excellent Mark. Very informative!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Loved the comparison! One day a 177 FG is in my future. However, I have always been enamored with Mooney aircraft. Just not the best choice for me due to arthritic knees. Great presentation and comparative detail.
Lot's of jokes in this one. I always see you as a serious guy, so enjoyed all the humor!
Thank you for the comparison.
I am currently looking for a 210 to get a true 4-place aircraft that is high-wing and actually checked one you "had". I really want a 2-door and so rare to find a low-wing with 2 doors. Also, large people getting into a low-wing tend to "fall in" and then have to climb out. While getting into the high-wing is stepping up into it and stepping down out of it.
Thank you for the new video Mark!
It was a long one too. Not sure we meant it to be that long but it worked.
@@skywagonuniversity5023 I enjoy your depth of knowledge on the subtleties of the variations. Your video was long because it was full of information. I did not feel like there was anything else you could have speed up or trimmed as it seems the pace was very well done and there was no superfluous content. I think that people that don't like long videos are probably more turned off to that and not that it is "chocked full of" good content!
Superb instructional and comedy too!
You must be as easily amused as I am.
I have flown and liked both aircraft.
My first landing done in the M20E with 4 onboard was a forced landing due to the failure of the fuel injection pump. Although it was into a short grass strip with a gorge on the threathhold on the approach and lake at the other end and a strong crosswind l managed to do a copybook forced landing due to its ease of control. Appart from the inconvidience this landing did have a very happy ending for me. One of my passengers that l had met for the first time 3 days before became my wife and the mother of my two sons.
That is an excellent story.
I have .5 unlogged (riding right seat) in a 20E, what a blast that was.It's my potentially-attainable dream plane. The 177 is a fine aircraft in its own right, but something about the M20 just speaks to me.
I love your presentations -- very interesting and informative. And the demo that follows is great too ! ! Will definitely be looking out for more -- Thanks
Awesome, thank you!
Got to fly a Mooney a bit when I was 12 (mid '60's) and it was tight. Then I found out years later a school buddy bought a Cardinal - but I've never been in one. Being tall, I really like the twin doors of the Cardinal. But dang, Mooney's are cool.
The quandry. Fast or big?
Great video! Always informative and broad in coverage and the presentation style makes it a pleasure to watch. The humor is an added bonus too!
Thanks! Glad you liked it!
Absolutely excellent video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Grew up flying with my father, who owned two different Mooney. If I was ever buy a plane I would be purchasing a Mooney, probably a J model. Plainly, just a helluva sexy plane.
Put the 201 windshield, South West cowling, move the oil cooler, convert the generator to alternator, straight six panel, and put the Johnson bar back and you have the perfect airplane. Wait for the "clunk" of the step dropping down during taxi.
I bought my E out of Placerville. And did my 10 hours of required instruction out of there. Coming from only Cessna's it totally freaked me out! Placerville being on a hill but Auburn was even worse. I felt like I was below the trees on final. After a couple days of this we went to Lincoln and I said finally a flat runway! The big thing is that the plane is so efficient that if you don't have the gear down before descending you never will get down to VLE.
One of the reasons I loved the Johnson bar is that if they ask you to keep your speed up on approach you could comply. Then once inside the FAF you just get it right at the bottom of the glideslope then pull back on the yoke and watch the a.s. drop. Once at 120 drop the gear and get right back on GS. Just make sure you let your passengers know before you do it.
Neither plane is High Performance since the regulation is OVER 200 horse power thus you don't need a High Performance endorsement.
Which E did you buy out of Placerville.
N5554Q
Good job, Captain.
Excellent comparison. Way back a commercial real estate company I worked with used three Mooney's with basically no problem. Then women started using them and made a switch to the Cardinal RG. The only reason was the girls could easily wear heels, and skirts and get into the Cardinal, especially the back seat all ladylike.
Like getting in and out of a sixties Jag.
This has to be the best comparison I have ever watched. LOTS of myths about both planes are debunked.
Thanks. Surprising about the width wasn't it?
@@skywagonuniversity5023 I've heard that once before, but you were the first I have seen with a measuring tape, proving it. I like the M20E Short body. It's that unique back window that gets me.
The one big catch is flight controls check, just because you move the yoke back-and-forth and side to side, verifying that they are free, it is extremely important that you verify they are CORRECT. Get something out of maintenance has been hooked up backwards, the controls will feel free even when they were hooked up in reverse. Position the controls to the right or left your choice looking ahead, tell yourself which aileron should be up in which should be down, to verify they are correct. Upon takeoff, if they are hooked up backwards your mental capability and muscle memory will not realize the problem if they are hooked up backwards. You absolutely must verify before every flight that they are correct, this is just as important with the rudder except less deadly. If your engine runs rough or sounds horrible and you decide to takeoff anyway you have a chance. If your flight controls are messed up and you didn't catch it before takeoff you are dead. The flight control check is more important than anything else on the aircraft. I have seen so many times people never actually check to be sure they are correct.
That particular check is done during the walk around. Each control surface is moved and you can easily see the yoke react properly. We just don't have the cameras on then.
I really had hopes for going to Telluride in August with my anvils 🤣🤣. Seriously though, great video! Your knowledge of these airplanes is much appreciated
.
Thanks. Go in September with only one anvil......
Excellent! Your best video of all.
Wow, thanks!
Recently the 177RG has become my dream plane. Though I do love Mooneys, they are very pretty.
Thanks for the clarification on the "road" :)
Great video as always!
Glad you enjoyed!
Excellent, balanced review of the two aircraft. Thanks! Wayne (DA40, also an IO360, KSBA)
Glad you enjoyed it!
Had a 182 RG I loved , it was my dream airplane, if you could close the doors it would take off, and it never smelled like it had just rained with the doors open, lol
Thanks for the tip re starting a hot IO-360. I have a slightly different technique with my Mooney M20J, but I'm going to try yours out tomorrow to see if she starts any quicker. My technique is to keep mixture out and throttle slightly cracked - works every time, but it does take 3-4 seconds of cranking.
Slight variations work. The bottom line is "no extra fuel"
Very nice video. I have a NAvion my friend has a Mooney, and another has an A36. We fly out to breakfast usually once a week from LOO and have a ball. Nice planes Mooneys...
Thanks for watching.
First time watching your channel. Well done you have a lot of needed information for the Mooney owner thank you !
Glad it was helpful!