The Mooney M22 Mustang is the first attempt at a

pressurized Pressurization or pressurisation is the application of pressure in a given situation or environment. Examples Industrial Industrial equipment is often maintained at pressures above or below atmospheric. Atmospheric This is the process by which a ...

single

engine An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert one or more forms of energy into mechanical energy. Available energy sources include potential energy (e.g. energy of the Earth's gravitational field as exploited in hydroelectric power ge ...

aircraft An aircraft ( aircraft) is a vehicle that is able to flight, fly by gaining support from the Atmosphere of Earth, air. It counters the force of gravity by using either Buoyancy, static lift or the Lift (force), dynamic lift of an airfoil, or, i ...

by the

Mooney Aircraft Company The Mooney International Corporation (formerly Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. and the Mooney Aircraft Company) is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Kerrville, Texas, United States. It manufactures single-engined piston-powered general ...

of the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

Development

The Mustang was developed to be a top-of-the-line model to supplement Mooney's successful

Mooney M20 The Mooney M20 is a family of Reciprocating engine, piston-powered, four-seat, propeller-driven, general aviation aircraft, all featuring low wings and tricycle gear, manufactured by the Mooney International Corporation.Munson, Kenneth & Mich ...

high-performance light aircraft. It is a five-seat pressurized single-engined aircraft with a wider and longer fuselage than the M20E Super 21 and a taller fin and leading edge fillet. It is a low-winged

monoplane A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple wings. A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing con ...

with a retractable nosewheel undercarriage, with a similar wing to that used on Mooney's earlier M20 Ranger. The first prototype flew on September 24, 1964, with the type being

certified Certification is part of testing, inspection and certification and the provision by an independent body of written assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question meets specific requirements. It is the formal attestatio ...

on September 26, 1966.Taylor 1969, p. 391. First deliveries commenced in 1965, continuing until 1970. 36 aircraft were completed before the line was closed. It was produced and sold at a loss, which contributed to the bankruptcy of Mooney.Mooney
. ''Aerofiles.com''. Retrieved 2 April 2009. Mooney initially called the aircraft the "Mustang", but the company was sued by Cavalier Aircraft for trademark infringement. After losing the suit, it was renamed the "Mark 22". The "Mark 22" name had previously been applied to a 1957

experimental aircraft built with twin engines, a nose cone, and an enlarged tail surface. That aircraft did not go into production.

Operational history

The Model 22, although produced in fairly small numbers, has been operated by private and commercial owners in several countries including the United States and Australia. Its

Garrett AiResearch Garrett AiResearch was a manufacturer of turboprop engines and turbochargers, and a pioneer in numerous aerospace technologies. It was previously known as Aircraft Tool and Supply Company, Garrett Supply Company, AiResearch Manufacturing Compa ...

cabin pressurization system gives the equivalent of at the aircraft's operational ceiling of . As a demonstration of its high performance, the second production aircraft was flown non-stop from New York to the

Paris Air Show The Paris Air Show (, ''Salon du Bourget'') is a trade fair and air show held in odd years at Paris–Le Bourget Airport in France. Organized by the French aerospace industry's primary representative body, the ''Groupement des industries frança ...

in June 1967, the flight taking 13 hours 10 minutes. The achievement is recorded on the display board in the accompanying photograph. The aircraft had been fitted with an extra fuel tank for the flight. In 2001, 24 aircraft remained in service.Simpson 2001, p. 384.

Specifications (M22)

References

Bibliography

* * * * * {{Mooney Aviation Company aircraft 1960s United States civil utility aircraft

Mustang The mustang is a free-roaming horse of the Western United States, descended from horses brought to the Americas by the Spanish conquistadors. Mustangs are often referred to as wild horses, but because they are descended from once-domesticate ...

Low-wing aircraft Single-engined tractor aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1964 Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear Single-engined piston aircraft