Mooney M20 vs Piper Arrow
The Mooney M20 and the Piper Arrow are both four-seat, 200 hp retractable-gear singles, which makes them a near-perfect apples-to-apples matchup — and a study in airframe efficiency. The Mooney is the speed-and-economy benchmark: a low, slick airframe that posts about 160 kt on the same 200 hp the Arrow uses to make roughly 137 kt, in a famously snug cabin. The PA-28R Arrow is the plentiful, forgiving complex trainer — slower but with more useful load and one of the largest parts-and-instructor networks in aviation. One wins on speed per horsepower; the other on load and easy ownership.
Key specifications, side by side
| Mooney M20 | Piper Arrow | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Engine | Lycoming IO-360-A (M20J) | Lycoming IO-360 (PA-28R-201) |
| Horsepower | 200 hp | 200 hp |
| Cruise speed | ~160 kt | ~137 kt |
| Range | ~1,000 nm | ~880 nm |
| Useful load | ~900 lb | ~1,150 lb |
| Fuel (usable) | 64 gal | 72 gal |
| Landing gear | Retractable tricycle | Retractable tricycle |
Representative figures for a popular variant of each family — exact specs vary by model year, engine, and avionics configuration.
What's different about the Mooney M20
- The efficiency benchmark of piston singles — its low, tightly cowled airframe posts cruise numbers that embarrass airplanes burning far more fuel.
- A traveler, not a trainer: snug cabin, retractable gear, and more systems suit a pilot stepping up from a fixed-gear single.
- Low fuel burn keeps variable costs down, but the retractable gear adds an annual inspection and an insurance line, and entry/exit is tighter than a Cessna.
What's different about the Piper Arrow
- Retractable gear and a constant-speed prop make it the classic complex-endorsement and commercial time-builder.
- ~137 kt cruise on 200 hp — noticeably faster and more efficient than the fixed-gear Cherokee it is based on.
- Some years add automatic gear extension; insurance and maintenance run higher than a fixed-gear PA-28.
Mooney M20 vs Piper Arrow — frequently asked questions
Quick answers for buyers and prospective co-owners.
Is the Mooney M20 faster than a Piper Arrow?
Yes, and on the same power. Both use a 200 hp engine, but the Mooney’s low-drag airframe cruises around 160 kt against roughly 137 kt for the Arrow — a clear speed and fuel-efficiency edge for the Mooney.
Which carries more?
The Arrow — about 1,150 lb of useful load against roughly 900 lb for the Mooney, with a slightly roomier cabin. The Mooney’s tight, low fuselage is the price it pays for the efficiency that defines it.
Which is easier to own?
The Arrow, generally. As a widely-used complex trainer it has a large parts and mechanic network and is easy to insure and transition into. The Mooney is also economical to run but flies on a smaller fleet, so plan for more specialized support. Both are retractables that add a gear inspection and insurance line, so a shared maintenance kitty helps on either.