Ray Maule of the Maule factory died this morning...Funeral later this week...

Condolences to his family and friends.

Clear skies and tailwinds, Ray.

He gave me my familarization flight when I bought my plane factory fresh in 2002. Good guy, good teacher.

I always liked the look of Maule aircraft and was impressed with their book performance, but I had never flown in one. Before starting the process of shopping for a Maule, I figured I needed to get some dual time. I was living on the east coast at the time. so I folded a trip to Maule Flight in with a visit to Sun-N-Fun in 2013. Ray and Rautgunde Maule took care of me then. I was fortunate enough to arrange 90 minutes of dual with Ray. He fell asleep on my 3rd circuit of the field. I've been told that was the ultimate complement from Ray. I've also been told that his health issues made him prone to dropping off unexpectedly. I prefer to believe the first explanation. Here I am with the man himself and the M4 we used for the check out. I miss you Ray. I hope you have CAVU conditions and smooth grass runways where you wound up!

I dunno....he still looks kinda spooked to me, Gary.
Seriously, cool photo and cool experience.