Dennis Ferguson of Mooney, left, and Ken Roberts of Rolls-Royce sign a joint engineering agreement. Photo by Jack Hodgson

Rolls-Royce and Mooney, in a joint press conference at AirVenture on Thursday, announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to determine the feasibility of using the new RR500 turboprop engine in future Mooney aircraft.

According to Mooney, the creation of an affordable four-place, turbine-powered aircraft fills an important need in providing a practical path for high-performance piston pilots to step up to a superior aircraft. It will also address the increasing problem of 100LL fuel scarcity around the world.

Initially the program will center on the newly announced Rolls-Royce RR500 turboprop engine. The RR500 is the fifth new civil engine program launched by the company in the past two years and features multi-fuel capability, an electronic engine monitoring system, and extended time between overhauls.

"The RR500 turbine represents the next step in our exploration of alternative fuel power for personal aircraft,’ said Mooney President Dennis Ferguson.

The RR500 is expected to be in production in 2011, with it potentially appearing on Mooney airframes after that time. To learn more, visit www.Mooney.com or www.Rolls-Royce.com.