conjunction with the wing flaps to keep the airplane in trim. Since the Mite’s tail is adjustable, great care should be exercised to avoid inflicting undue stresses on the tail during ground handling. The earlier Mites were hand-prop
to start and utilized a gravity-feed fuel system. A fuselage tank is just behind and above the seat, and a baggage compartment is below the pilot’s seat. The retractable, trailing link landing gear uses rubber donuts for shock absorption, and some Mites have a “Wig-Wag” gear-up warning system which mechanically displays a red flag on the panel if the gear is up when the throttle setting is decreased for landing. Additionally, some models have a small window in the floor which allows a clear view of the nosewheel’s position.
THE MITE BEGETS THE MARK The Mooney Mite was primarily flown by sportsman pilots, and was apparently quite popular in the 1950s, due to its sleek, racy appearance and impressive performance. Gladys Davis flew her Mite (N122C), City of Concord – California, to a fifth-place finish in the 1950 Powder Puff Derby from California to South Carolina. As the last Mites were in
production, Mooney was developing a four-place airplane that would help propel the company into future market successes. Naturally, some of the Mite’s design features – including the forward-swept tail, retractable landing gear, wood-and-fabric construction, and trim system – were incorporated in the new Mark 20. The M-20 series underwent a developmental progression, as well, with the first all-metal model being the M-20B, and other refinements were included along the way.
MIGHTY MITE If you ever see a Mite in person, chances are you won’t forget it —
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and don’t be too surprised if you happen to see a Mite a long way from its home base. Pilots rather enjoy flying them on long cross countries. Though the Mites are single place and have little baggage capacity, their economical performance and pleasurable flying characteristics endear them to those who have the privilege of flying one. For, as aviation author Jack Cox
wrote about the M-18: “Overnight it became the object of a virtual cult, its devoted owners treasuring the airplane to a degree that transcends any of the normal everyday yardsticks we use to evaluate aircraft. But, once anything becomes a person’s hobby, yardsticks no longer matter. The successful pursuit of happiness is all that really counts.” Ergo, it’s really no surprise that Mite owners and pilots
have continued to appreciate and enjoy this little airplane for 70-plus years.
So the next time you see one of those distinguished forward-swept tails on the “modern-day” Mooneys, remember Al Mooney and the significant role that he and his tiny- yet-mighty Mite played in general aviation history.
Sparky Barnes is a longtime aviation author and photographer, and the recipient of the Bax Seat Trophy and the “Lady Antiquer of the
Year” awards. She personally restored her 1948 Piper Vagabond and holds a commercial glid-er certificate with private single engine land and sea ratings.
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