FLYING Magazine
Every day, the team at Aircraft For Sale chooses an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, a good deal, or has other qualities we find interesting. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.
Today’s Top Pick is a 1981 Mooney M20J 201.
Renowned for squeezing maximum speed out of every horsepower, the Mooney M20J—widely known as the 201—delivers an exceptional blend of aerodynamic efficiency and cross-country capability. It holds a special place among owner-operators who prioritize speed and fuel economy without sacrificing a sleek, recognizable design.
Sporting an eye-catching Anniversary Edition paint scheme, this 1981 airframe has been meticulously cared for by Mooney Service Centers and experienced maintenance shops. It has logged 3,590 total hours, boasts no damage history, comes with complete logs, and has been continuously hangared.
Opening the door reveals a welcoming cabin outfitted with a beautiful gray leather interior. The four-place aircraft offers a useful load of 946 pounds, making it a highly practical platform for regional travel with family or friends.
A dependable powerplant sits up front, showing 1,558 hours since major overhaul, leaving roughly 442 hours before its recommended TBO. It spins an overhauled Hartzell Q-Tip propeller with a non-AD hub, and the engine bay has benefited from a Sky-Tec starter, replacement engine mounts, and a new dual magneto installed during its April 2026 annual inspection.
![1981 Mooney M20J 201 [Credit: Robert Bieler]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/aircraft-single-engine-piston-mooney-m20j-201-for-sale-602010-b8a481749d751926-800X600-1.jpg?w=1024)
Navigation and situational awareness are handled by a thoroughly modernized IFR panel built around an Aspen EFD1000 Pro primary flight display and a Garmin GTN 650 WAAS navigator. The avionics suite is further enhanced by a Garmin 347 audio panel, Garmin GDL-88 ADS-B In/Out, Flight Stream 210 for Bluetooth connectivity, JPI EDM 730 engine monitor, and Century 21 autopilot with GPSS and electric trim.
Priced at $149,000, this well-maintained Mooney M20J 201 is based in Carlsbad, California, and stands ready for its next caretaker. With its recent maintenance, including resealed fuel tanks, replaced gear pucks, and a new windshield, it offers an immediate solution for the speed-conscious pilot.
If you’re exploring ownership options, FLYING Finance can help get you airborne. Use our airplane loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments, or connect with an aviation finance expert at flyingfinance.com.
- FLYING Magazine: Air Compare: Grumman AA-5 vs. Mooney M20 Series
- FLYING Magazine: Life Lessons of an Iced-Up Mooney
- FLYING Magazine: BendixKing to Offer Autopilot for Mooney M20-Series Airplanes
- FLYING Magazine: Inside Manny the Mooney’s Much-Needed Paint Job
- Plane + Pilot: This Incredible Plane: Mooney Porsche M20L PFM
- Plane + Pilot: Flying a Mooney M20
- Plane + Pilot: Muscle Plane Mooneys
- The Aviation Consumer: Used Aircraft Guide: Mooney 201/M20J