My wife says we need a more capable plane than my Luscombe. I found a M4 that needs some TLC which is exactly what I am looking for. Does anyone have any advise about the M4. Any major AD's on them. My Luscombe has a wings spar AD which says the spar has to be inspected at each annual. This requires the wings to be at least partially removed. It is very annoying and I don't really want to deal with anything similar. Any comments would be great.

Thanks, Jon

If you go to the mauleairinc.com website, you can look up the ad's, service letters, etc. There are a couple of maule websites, too; maulepilots.org and flymaule.org. One thing I know about is the struts need to be inspected or replaced with sealed struts. Good luck!
Regards, Don

Every man longs to hear those words...

"Honey, we need a new airplane, one with more utility and a bigger motor."

The Maule is an excellent choice. They are not horribly expensive and are wonderful performers. The Franklin engined planes are less expensive, but engine parts are a question mark. There are always rumors about someone putting the 220 back into production, so that could change. They are, by all accounts, great engines.
Jeremy's site has a complete chronology. For what it's worth, I think the best backcountry Maule is the M-7-235. It has the big wing and big flaps. The kicker with Maules is insurance, if you have to insure, look into it prior to purchase. Other than, that there it's all good.

Well put. I have a little over 450 hours in the "Yellow Peril" now and have few regrets. For the money the M-4 is under valued IMHO. That being said there are some weak points. The first fundamental truth with aircraft is that everyone is a compromise. Some will do most everything well and fall on other points. Some do a few things exceedingly well and that's about it. Line up your priorities and see what weaskness' you're capable of living with.
Maules (M-4) This is the "short wing" of the bunch. I have the IO-360. It is a very expensive engine to OH but it is very smooth, good on fuel and is a delight to fly. W/regards to floats, this one area is a fault. There are few prop options and that combined with a short wing, I think a J-3 might beat you off the water. That being said, for the last 5-6 months, I have been operating off of a 6-700' rough strip at weight with trees to clear. OK, granted it was no more than 60 degrees and at 600' MSL but My last load Monday was two adults at almost 400lbs (tl), 3 Labs (60-85lbs each) a 22 lb survival kit and 42 gal gas. This plane (Maule's in general) have one of the widest operating envelopes for the buck.
Insurance is a bugger though. I got lucky and got mine before it got too bad and have mananged to still have what I consider to be cost effective even up here.
My take on the Franklin: I have had the pleasure to meet the guy in OK who is most likely the US expert on the Franklin. He claims that is still viable to find a plethora of parts around the US and he stated a number of reasons as to be optimistic for the future once P&W gets their act squared away. (I have faith in the guy, he did the pre-buy on mine) It is a very strong engine albeit in my opinion it is a little rough. It is carbureted and has little heavier fuel burn as my 210. I believe that there are a couple of options on the prop too. There are a number of planes running around with Franklins in them and I've never met anyone who has said that it would make a better boat anchor. I have a couple of friends with 'em in their M-4's and wouldn't trade.
The other sleeper is the old Stinson 108 series and the four-place T-craft. Really cool planes, a number of STC's and quite a following. I'm seeing a number of 'em up here that are seemingly forgotten and have entertained the idea of a project or two. (No, the YP stays with me) My AI is selling his 195 and is looking for something a little more utilitarian. Everytime he went up in the YP, he'd come back with a grin.
Keep in mind that the Maule's up until recently anyway, will have the fit and finish of a farm truck but If I were running with the Bonanza crowd, NOT.
I'll spend a little money for a glass of good Scotch and a nice Cigar though....

There is an M-4 210C on Barnstormers for about $31k. It is the sequential serial number to mine. Cosmetics aside, I believe it to be a pretty good plane.
Kurt

YELLOWMAULE wrote:...There are a number of planes running around with Franklins in them and I've never met anyone who has said that it would make a better boat anchor. I have a couple of friends with 'em in their M-4's and wouldn't trade...

I wouldn't trade my 220 Franklin for your 210 Continental either, Kurt.

My Franklin cost me less than $10K to overhaul and the parts situation is still very good. I'm also enjoying the added performance of my new STC'd McCauley prop.

Thanks for saving my two poor hunt and peck fingers with your very detailed overview, but for the record, that's the first time I have ever heard anyone call the Franklin rough.

Franklin...rough? Hmm, not unless one or more cylinders aren't firing I've flown three Franklin-powered planes, one of which I own, and smoooooth is what comes to my mind. Parts situation is still pretty decent too despite warnings to the contrary. If I could afford the insurance on the Maule I would have bought a M4-220 before my 170.

Thanks for all the comments everyone. Sounds like a better check the insurance cost before I go too far. I was surprised that Strata was able to overhaul his franklin for under 10K, it cost me 9K to overhaul my C-85. I have my eye on a specific M-4 I just need to decide if my pocket book can handle it. Thanks again.

Jon

is the one in the shop in Caldwell?

Dane