Fellows-

We have about $800 left that we need to spend on our Maule MX-7-180 and if we don't spend it we will lose it. That being said, what is (in your opinions) the best upgrade / modification that we should put the money towards?

Here is the aircraft facts:

- 1994 Maule MX-7-180...mostly stock
- IFR certified with KLN-89B
- MOGAS STC
- New 8" tires
- Used for flying around the TN, KY, AL, MS area on grass and paved strips exceeding 1500 feet.

We were looking in to a VG kit as it fits the cash flow, but are open to other ideas.

VG's would be my choice and are the #1 best aftermarket item IMHO. Also, go for the stab/elevator seal kit from Maule (if you don't have those already)

Mark

VG's

N6EA wrote:VG's would be my choice and are the #1 best aftermarket item IMHO. Also, go for the stab/elevator seal kit from Maule (if you don't have those already)

Mark

Gap seals were on from the factory.

VG's sound like a good deal. Or you could spend it on fuel and go on a trip.

Oregon Aero seats, if you can get them for that cheap.

[quote="lowflybye"]Fellows-

We have about $800 left that we need to spend on our Maule MX-7-180 and if we don't spend it we will lose it.

What branch of the Gov't are you with?

The civilian branch...

It was part of the loan agreement...the money is to be used for purchase and upgrades otherwise the remaining unused funds default back to the bank after a set period. Sort of like a builders loan for a house.

VG's

I have '96 MX7-180C. I just put VG's on and here are the stall numbers. Aircraft weight in the test configuration approximately 1980 pounds. 2500' msl, close to standard temp and altimeter.
configuration pre VG (mph) post VG(mph)
Flaps up, pwr off 54 48
Flaps up, pwr on 48 48
Flaps 2nd notch, pwr off 45 38
Flaps 2nd notch, pwr on 42 38
Flaps full, pwr off 38 30
Flaps full pwr on 0 indicated 0 indicated

All speeds are mph. Airspeed arc speeds are 47 and 62, that's at 2500 lbs though. Speeds below 40 are a close approximation since 40 is the bottom tick mark on the indicator.

Full flap stalls now have a more pronounced negative pitch moment on stall. AOA is higher going into the stall so you would expect that but it'll make your eyes bug out the first time you do it.

So it depends on what you are doing with the plane. In and out of short strips? Go with the VGs. Cross country into nice long fields? Go with the mogas. Though with the mogas you may end up at more than your $800 since I think fuel pump replacement is required and unless you're a mechanic the cost of labor will be higher. With VG's you just need an IA to sign off the 337 once you do the installation. VG's were right at $800. $695 + shipping + mechanic.

you can donate it for a big feast at johnson creek.lol or get VG.beagle n43643

VG's and an IPOD/MP3 player with the change.

Because you fly out of long strips I would put the money toward.

1. Good ANR headsets (I like the Telex Stratus 50D's better than the Bose)

2. Garmin 396 with XM weather. (The live Nexrad picture saved me a lot of time this spring when I was between a rock (Atlanta's class B surface ring) and a hard place (Big storm cell)).

-Todd Giencke

Per another current topic, how about a set of patrol doors? ya know, realistically, a person really only uses the patrol door window on the side opposite the pilot. But I think I've only seen one airplane that had a single patrol door (a Luscombe).
VG's would be nice, but unless you do short strips and/or slow/observation flight you don't really need them.

Eric