I guess I am a little surprised at the empty weights I am seeing.

My M5-235C w/ the upgross kit has a Max gross of 2500 lbs on wheels.

The empty weight is 1567. That has been confirmed on two different weigh ins. at maint. shops.

My math is a little rusty but I think that comes to 933 lbs difference.

On a recent trip to Idaho I stood on a set of scales and weighed everything that went into the aircraft ( Susan was NOT pleased ) and w/ full tanks, two adults and more gear than we ever used for a week's camping I still was under gross.

One thing I really like about my bird is it is damn near impossible to get it out of rear CG if I stay within Max Gross. I am sure I could do it if I really worked on it but when I took off the Razorback and put on Ceconite 101 it ran the CG right up to the forward limit so my ditty box ( 38 lbs) lives in the back of the baggage compartment to get the CG back some when I am low on fuel flying solo.

TD

One thing I really like about my bird is it is damn near impossible to get it out of rear CG if I stay within Max Gross. I am sure I could do it if I really worked on it but when I took off the Razorback and put on Ceconite 101 it ran the CG right up to the forward limit so my ditty box ( 38 lbs) lives in the back of the baggage compartment to get the CG back some when I am low on fuel flying solo.

Tom, mine's the same way. I just had mine recovered and had the lead acid battery, back behind the baggage compartment, replaced with 2 gel-cells placed under the front seats. My empty CG is WAY forward. With me, 40 gallons of gas and 50 pounds in the very rear baggage (station 70) my cg arm is 14.91. Forward CG limits are 15.5 at 2300 and 11.0 at 1600 so at this 2100 lb weight that 14.91 arm is right at the forward limit.

I was playing with the numbers the other night just to see what I could get away with. With me, 40 gallons in the wings, a 160 pound co pilot, (1) full 15 gallon barrel in the rear seat area (sta 42) and (2) full 15 gallon barrels in the very back of the baggage (sta 70) my gross is 2482 (182 lb over) and a 17.58" arm (range at gross is 15.5 to 20.5)...I thought those were some impressive numbers.

I used to own a MT-7-235 and loved it. Its useful load was only about 800 lbs but it performed great at that weight. Its STOL performance was not as good as a Husky or Supercub but was better than a C-185 even in my inexperienced hands. It was easy to fly and after having a pilots license for about a year and a few weeks of practice in the Maule I started flying operate at any of the Idaho or Utah strips I wanted to go to. In the hands of a more experienced pilot pushing the performance envelope the plane may have landed in half the distance that I used but I still had half of the runway in front of me almost every where I went.

It worked great as a two person airplane for traveling around the country and as a four place airplane for local sightseeing (no luggage and less fuel). I took out the 5th seat when I bought it and never put it back in until I sold it. The middle seat, that most people call the back, seat would go in and out in less than a minute and the loads you could fit with it removed were impressive.

It worked great for my wife and I on many back country trips including Alaska. We carried all the fuel and camping gear we wanted with out a problem. Once I had kids I realized I would need more room and useful load if I wanted to take them airplane camping. I sold the Maule and bought an older C-206. It doesn't perform as well but can take me most of the places I want to go and allows me to bring my whole family.

I'd be glad to answer any questions about my experience owning a MT-7-235 via PM.

In a few of the recent post, which for this Cessna flyer was dang interesting, comment was made about the quick removel of the rear or middle seat being quick in a Maule. Well since I have only sat in a Older Maule with a O-300 and didn't get much of a look at the rear seat.

How does that operation occur in such a short time? Pins in, bolts in?

Cripes it takes me a couple of hours to wedge the rear seat out of the 182, and a little more to put it back.

Next time one of you Maule drivers come into BNO let me know, I'd like to take a look.

See ya, Bub

Whew! Hope I didn't set anyone off about W & B with my story about Oshkosh. I assumed that everyone would understand that I not only did a thorough W&B but I carefully packed the plane based on what stuff weighed. Different areas of the plane have different weight allowances.

I may be dumb but not stupid.

My observation is not about how good any particular airplane is. It was more about how important it is (to me) to carry lots of stuff. That holds true for 180's, 170's, Sportsters, etc. who also can carry quite a bit of stuff. I just find I am more likely to fly places because, in most cases, luggage is just not an issue.

In fact, I don't really think much about four place vs two place. It is really the "stuff" issue.

Compared to the Mooneys, Archers and 140's around me at Oshkosh, the Maule was a UHaul truck.

A lot of those planes got there faster than me but we spent a week on the ground in comfort.

BTW, I was looking at the new Maules at OshKosh and the new spring gear is a FULL 2 feet wider than on my M5. That has got to help ground handling! The retractable overhead shade for the big skylight was great! They even improved the door handles!

Bub--

It takes about 5 min in or out even with out the quick release.... Two bolts at the top and I think one at the bottom (Been a while)

Skystrider wrote:Whew! They even improved the door handles!

David finally got them done!!

Very Cool

Hey Bub,

The seat is not attached to the floor. It is held in place by two rods going through the seat fabric side to side. Kinda like a curtain.

There are two 1/2" bolts that hold the upper back seat rod flange in place on the right side. Remove those two bolts, turn and lower the rod and pull/slide it out from the right side. Push the lower rod (front of seat by feet) towards the left side till the other end comes free and pull the seat out. Thats it. About 5 minutes when you allow looking for a wrench.

The luggage door (third door on the right) makes it real easy to get the seat out.

What he said!!

Here is a hauler I took a picture of at Oshkosh.

Wow that would be a good selling point to me.

Have that kind of room in 5 minutes. That would be great.

I had an extended baggage compartment in the 180, it had 50lbs allowable. I stuffed sleeping bags, coats, foam, and other lighter stuff in there. Also had to have a cargo net between the extended baggage and the normal baggage compartment. To my understanding that was to keep anything of weight from gettting into the extened portion and putting the CG aft of limits.

Just got thru looking a Maule AK world wide site. The more I check on Maules the better I like them. Open the two side door and you could put my x-wife in there Might be over gross though

I see on their site a 95 MX 180A nice looking bird.

Oh well didn't hit the 245 mill power ball so I better get back to work

Hotshot, May be flying up to Coure' da Lane "excuse the spelling" in the next week or two. Buddy of mine is buying a truck from Dave Smith and needs a ride up. How far are you from the Joseph airport?

See ya, Bub

Sorry Zane. How do I get a picture in my gallery to show up in a post?

Skystrider,

Now that Beaver may get my X off the ground! That third lift door must be an option or add on? Never seen one on a Beaver before.

Must be nice

See ya, Bub

Hey Bub,

That Beaver could probably even carry the fork lift truck to help you!

Sorry! Had a nasty moment!

here ya go,

Thanks Dean! How'd you do that?

Skylane wrote:
Hotshot, May be flying up to Coure' da Lane "excuse the spelling" in the next week or two. Buddy of mine is buying a truck from Dave Smith and needs a ride up. How far are you from the Joseph airport?

See ya, Bub

I am Very close in fact I can be found at the airport more than home most times 5Min travle time

Give me a shout if you make it in....

There ia a Harley Convention here this weekend suposed to be about 5K bikes in town

Skylane wrote::D

Skystrider,

Now that Beaver may get my X off the ground! That third lift door must be an option or add on? Never seen one on a Beaver before.

Must be nice

See ya, Bub

That is the "Alaska Door Mod" Very usefull on Floats!

Skystrider wrote:Hey Bub,

That Beaver could probably even carry the fork lift truck to help you!

Man I would need it.

I had to use a wheel borrow to carry her over the threshold!

Broke a 2x6 wheeling her up the steps.

I told the "all you can eat" resteraunts didn't mean we stayed the night.

Help Mr Wizard!

Bub