A New 'Mite' Is On The Drawing Boards

ANN April 1 Special Edition

As Mooney gears up to bring back the M20 series of GA airplanes, the company apparently has its eye on the LSA market as well.

A source inside the company sent ANN conceptual drawings of a new Mooney Mite that would fit the LSA category. The airplane would stay true to the single-place design for which the Mite was famous, but with a few modifications that would allow it to be operated as an LSA.

Among those changes are fixed landing gear, rather than the mechanical retractable gear on the original Mite. Notations on the plans indicate that an airplane with retractable gear would likely not fit the LSA category, and adds weight that would bring the airplane over the allowable gross weight. Fixed gear would also help the airplane stay within the LSA airspeed limits.

The source, who requested anonymity, said in the email that included the plans that the new Mite would be powered by a Rotax 912i engine with an STC for 93 octane gasoline with an ethanol additive. Other engine options might be available in the future. A Dynon Skyview glass panel would also be OEM on the airplane. The source said it might also be available in kit form, taking a page from the Vans RV-12 book.

Mooney would not officially comment on the plans. CEO Dr. Jerry Chen would only say "we're just getting our production back on line. Future plans will be announced at the appropriate time."

FMI: www.mooney.com