OK group, taking the leap of faith that I could walk and chew gum at the same time, I made a deal on a M-7-235C. Have been getting some great dual time in a Citabria and got some outrageously expensive insurance from Avemco. Will require 25 hours of dual in the Maule before solo, and I'm really onboard with that. At 50 hours in AC, I can update and re-rate the insurance.
I'm really pumped! Thanks for all the advice, tips and opinions.
ps While riding with the owner of the plane I bought(this guy had pretty good TW experience, with some DC 3 time), I ask him if the Maule had ever made him nervous------With a big grin, he told me "everytime I land it!!".

congratulations on the new mistress

Scoot,

Good On Yer!! Keep us posted on your progress and your upcoming adventures.

You'll love it.

MTV

Good on ya!!

Yehaw!! Picture are a requirement!!! good luck and remember the Duck!!


Calm on the surface and under water keep the feet movein'

Thanks Guys
I'll get some pictures up next week---

Hey Scoot!

Congratulations!

It was a good 50 hours before I stopped twitching!

As the other guys said "Need Pictures!"

Good man Scoot!
Think happy feet. I figure the first landing I relax on is the one that will bite me.
Your life will never be the same now that there is the "Other" woman!
Kurt

Right on, Kurt. People always comment on the 5 or 6 snapshots I have taped up on the wall of my hangar, showing airplanes come to rest in various non-standard poses: upside down, up on nose, in ditch, missing a gear leg,etc. They always ask if I'm trying to jinx myself. I tell them that those are for me to look at whenever I pull the airplane out to go flying, to remind me what CAN happen if you let it. Most of the accidents are pretty much due to complacency, lack of skill, or cranial/rectal displacement-- or a combination thereof.
To date, my airplane hasn't rated inclusion on my little "wall of shame". (knock on wood). But tomorrow's another day!

Eric

to remind me what CAN happen if you let it.

Eric[/quote]

What WILL happen if you let it. The joys of PIC, preventing the most likely outcome.

Hey Scoot: Congratulations. You'll be glad you bought the M7. Just don’t get “AIDS” that’s airplane induced divorcee syndrome.
If you ever decide to come to our groups fly in and like me feel the need for specialized training here is an email and answer I got from Lori at Mountain Canyon Flying.

Original Message-----
From: Rob Burson
Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2007 12:09 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Question

Hello Lori: My name is Rob Burson. I am a 48 year young firefighter from
Gresham, Oregon. I have a question. I am a new pilot, 150 total hours 50
hours in my 2000 Maule M7 235C. I know I don't meet the requirements for your basic seminar. I want to go to the Backcountry Pilot.org fly in at
Johnson Creek on June 8-10. I want to be safe. If I fly to your location in
May or early June can I get some private instruction? I would like some
ground instruction specific to Johnson Creek. Then I would like to go fly
into Johnson Creek and do a bunch of landings. I have 8:50 tires on now.
What say you? Cheers...Rob Burson
Answer
Hi Rob, that is a great idea. We do that all the time. I recommend flying
early morning about 7AM or 8AM depending on the weather. Plan on some ground school first and then a flight that would be approximately 2.5-3hrs. Dual. You should plan on arriving at McCall the day before and if possible we could get the ground finished that day and fly the next. Let me know what will work for you.
Sincerely, Lori MacNichol

Look out for creosote bushes and practice high speed differential braking ..Great 235 plane!....Garv

The mountain flying seminar's are a good source of information, however you are better off working with an instructor who specializes in the Maule .
Good Luck,
Idaho SuperCub