How much stuff can I actually carry in a M20, and how much useful load do they really have?
Remember, you effectively load a M20’s baggage compartment from the top down much like a chest type freezer. They will take generally more stuff in the baggage compartment than your average car trunk can carry. I find from a practical matter, they can actually take more baggage than most other singles. The (legal) useful load is just about what you would expect from most 4 place GA aircraft. Like most all 4 place GA aircraft, they are not a true (legal) 4 adult place, full baggage, and full fuel aircraft! The brochure useful load seems to be about 1,000 lbs. however, the M20 design isn’t known to be a weight sensitive aircraft in both loading and CG. While trying not to sound like a die hard Mooniac totally oblivious to any M20 design short-falls, unlike other designs such as the Grumman and the V-Tail brand B’s, in the real world the M20 is known to be most forgiving in these areas. This is partly due to its all trimming tail, overly efficient design, and hell for stout construction.
