Mooney unveils diesel M10T, M10J

Mooney is taking aim at the international market with its new M10T and M10J diesel-powered singles announced Nov. 11. The composite, fixed-gear M10T is powered by a Continental CD-135 diesel engine and marks Mooney’s first foray into the flight training arena in decades (since the M10 Cadet). The retractable M10J plays off the popular Mooney M20J, and is powered by the Continental CD-155 diesel engine.

“I am very excited to officially present the new M10 series of Mooney aircraft for Training and Performance. These aircraft mark a new beginning for Mooney and are an indication of great product innovation coupled with Mooney’s long line of history making aircraft,” Mooney CEO Jerry Chen said during an unveiling ceremony at the Airshow China 2014 in Zhuhai, China. The company displayed a mockup of the M10J at the airshow.

The M10T is a three-seat, technically advanced trainer featuring a Garmin G1000 and single-lever full authority digital engine control; Mooney said the airplane will pave the way for pilots to step up to the M20 series. The aircraft is expected to have a 160-knot maximum cruise speed, with a 140-knot cruise speed at 75 percent power. The M10T holds 42 gallons of fuel. The 135-horsepower engine is expected to sip 4 to 5.3 gph in cruise, according to a press release from Continental Motors, and has 1,500 hours time between replacement. The aircraft is anticipated to have a range of about 500 nautical miles, but Mooney did not release at what load or power setting.

The M10J is an upgraded version of the M10T that features the luxury, speed, and range that Mooney owners have come to expect. In addition to the G1000, it features a GFC 700 autopilot. The company initially said the aircraft would have a 170-knot true airspeed, but additional performance data that Mooney provided later indicate an approximate 180-knot max cruise speed and 160 knots at 75 percent power. It is expected to have a range of about 900 nm, slightly less than the 1,000 nm the company released in its unveiling announcement. Again, loading and power information to obtain that range was not immediately available. The CD-155 offers 1,200 hours between replacement, according to Continental. The M10J offers the rear seat as an option.

While the new aircraft maintain Mooney’s signature forward-swept tail, the M10 series depart from Mooney’s traditional aircraft in a couple of notable ways: all-composite construction versus steel-tube, and a sidestick instead of a center-mounted yoke. “The M20J helped change general aviation by making flying practical to more people across the U.S.,” Chen said in a press release. “Now, the M10J promises to do the same for the world.”

Mooney, which now has offices in Kerrville, Texas; Chino, California; and Beijing, China, did not immediately release price estimates but said the aircraft should receive certification and start deliveries in 2017.

AOPA has updated this story with additional information released by Mooney International and Continental Motors.