"The Mooney PFM. Airframe by Mooney.

Power by Porsche. Excellence by tradition..."

Mooney M20L PFM in flight

This plane was produced in 1988 as a collaborative project between the American Mooney Aircraft Corporation and a German car/engine manufacturer. The Mooney M20L is powered by the N03 PFM 3200 engine, or Porsche Flug Motor (PFM), and known as the Mooney PFM.

Mooney PFM Origins

The PFM Mooney was derived from the shorter M20J airframe. To accommodate the heavier engine, the airframe was stretched a further 12 cm. This is now the modern day Mooney Ovation or Mooney Acclaim airframe. Twenty years later, with todays turbocharged Continental engine installed, it is the fastest single engine piston driven airframe.

Engine Origins

The PFM engine, or flug motor, is derived from the Carrera 911 3.2 litre flat 6 car engine. This engine is ideally suited to an aviation configuration, fitting neatly within the confines of the engine cowl. A reduction gearbox mates the engine to propellor producing a well balanced power plant.

PFM Introduction

The PFM engine was developed in the early 1980's. Teaming up with Mooney was a logical plan to match the reliable and well proven 911 engine with the fast Mooney airframe. The combination aimed to introduce a new general aviation engine into a marketplace where there had been very little change in engine technology.

Post Production

After introduction of the Mooney PFM M20L aircraft sales did not live up to expectations. Further production was halted in 1989. The majority of the 40 planes proved to be reliable and remained in service until May 2005 when official support ceased. There remain planes still flying in USA, Europe and Australia.