Good day: New 'poster' here, although I've been reading the forum for a couple of years and enjoy the wealth of knowledge shared. I'm finally stepping out and making a concerted effort to buy a plane after three years of renting. I'm a low time pilot (160 hrs - 60 TW) and have a TW endorsement (got it with Ray Maule), but am leaning towards a tri-gear Maule for the hauling capability, range, and ease of landing (compared with the TW version). I've considered other aircraft but the Maule fits my needs...

Advice needed as follows: There is a MXT-180 for sale at Maule Flight in Moultrie. The plane had a prop strike some time ago and so subsequently had the mandated engine inspection and a new prop installed. I'm going to look at it this week and was hoping someone could recommend a good mechanic in the Moultrie area for a pre-buy.
It's had a recent annual done by Maule (April this year) and they have maintained the plane for a number of years, but I'd like to have another set of eyes look at it.

Info from Maule Flight website here:
http://mauleflight.com/Used_Aircraft/?id=106

Also, how would a prop strike as such affect the value of the aircraft? If the engine has been checked and the prop replaced, presuming no other damage, would I be buying something that would be a bear to unload in a few years? What percentage of value should be deducted for this damage/repair (asking price $76,400) or is it already factored into the asking price? I know it's an opened ended discussion with no one 'correct' answer but I appreciate all advice and input. Thanks in advance.

Mark

A prop strike is irrelevant as long as it was properly handled. It could even increase the value (new prop)
You'll pay a premium buying from Maule.
Forget a pre-buy, there is no such thing. If your buying their airplane, have David Wright perform an Annual and have Maule pay for anything he finds or some other deal that you work out in advance.
David is an IA that lives in a hanger / house and primarily makes his living rebuilding Maules. His rebuilds are better in fit, finish and paint than new Maules. He is intimately familiar with Maules and can spot any problem, incorrect repair etc. from incorrect hardware etc. He is reasonably priced and very particular, but he is slow. You can't speed him up either.
You didn't hear it from me, but stay away from a guy named Harold, and you just can't trust Ray when it comes to money. David, you probably won't deal with, but whatever he say's you can take to the bank. Brent is Ray's son. He is a nice kid.

Have not heard from Maulemaniac in a long time. He used to say "Just go buy a Maule"

I say " Just go buy a 182B" for about 22 K less.

Just kidding, just had to do it.

Is that the Maule with the trainng wheel up front?

Tim

I was talking to a Maule rebuilder in MT a few weeks ago and he said he thinks Maule will go tits up with in a year. Claims that vendors have cut them off and they have 7 planes on the line they cant finish do to lack of parts. Any truth to that?

Venders will not cut anybody off as long as bills get paid. Money keeps averbodys interest up.

Tim

Tito wrote:I was talking to a Maule rebuilder in MT a few weeks ago and he said he thinks Maule will go tits up with in a year. Claims that vendors have cut them off and they have 7 planes on the line they cant finish do to lack of parts. Any truth to that?

That is the airplane story. I don't think they are in any more trouble than they have been in for years,

jmtgt wrote:

Tito wrote:I was talking to a Maule rebuilder in MT a few weeks ago and he said he thinks Maule will go tits up with in a year. Claims that vendors have cut them off and they have 7 planes on the line they cant finish do to lack of parts. Any truth to that?

I have been hearing that rumor for about 3 years now.

I think we started hearing that about the time Cessna decided to build again

The airplane business is tough, just look at how many airplane manufacturers have come and gone, and come and gone again. Maule is the only one left that is still owned by the people that started the company. Not saying they, or anyone won't go under, but so far they have been survivors.

The fact that after you buy a Maule, your insurance company really gets into your pocket must rally hurt sales.

Even in the used market it is somtning to consider. My 182B (50K value) is $920 yr full coverage with no limitations on landing sites. With limited tailwheel time it would have been $2400 on a 180 (65K value). They said forget a Maule.

Where do you guys get the insurance. Ayear ago rob told me he paid 600 per month cus of limited experience. What is it now Rob?

Tim

$2,000 - $2,400 is about the average for a $60,000 - $80,000 Maule. I have seen some as low as $1,500 for $40,000 values.

You just have to know where to look and how to present the risk to the underwriter. I had a fellow call me the other day who was looking to purchase a Maule...he had called AOPA and they lady that he talked with said: "We cannot get insurance on the Maule...they turn over on their roof all the time"

No kidding you this is what he said she had told him. This fellow was a little light in the tailwheel department, but we still got him a quote around $2,500 with some dual requirements prior to solo. Next year it should drop down into the $2,200 range if he gets 75 - 100 hours in it.

$600 per month...that is highway robbery

This one is a nose dragger. I think that pretty much cut's the insurance in half, or close to the insurance rate of other nose draggers? How does the Maule nose dragger insurance rate compare?

AOPA quoted me $1350 for the MXT with my limited time (160 TT, the 60 TW not a factor). AVEMCO was $3400 +/-

About half to 60% depending on the pilot and the area of operation. It is still a bush-capable airplane so it still gets a little higher rate than a 172 / 182, but it is comparable.

Just for giggles and kicks I sent a quote request to Avemco on myself and they quoted me $3,600 for an $80,000 hull value...I pay way less than that now for a full $1,000,000 liability limit with no sub limit.

lowflybye wrote:It is still a bush-capable airplane so it still gets a little higher rate than a 172 / 182, but it is comparable.

Well at least we've been able to successfully hide from the insurance companies that a 182 is a "bush-capable" airplane too.

Those insurance number seem high. I have my Stinson insured for $55,000 hull, plus $15,000 floats, plus $10,000 for hyd skis. Stored outside, always either on skis or floats. Have about 900 TT, about 400 TW, and the other 450 floats- and the first 50 hours on training wheels. Total premium just under $2000 per year, through Hayes Utley Hedgespeth. They were WAY lower than AVEMCO or Falcon for float and ski aircraft. Also, I can switch back and forth between wheels, skis, floats at any time without notifying them. I have about 300 in type. When I first started with Hayes in my Stinson 4 years ago, I had 0 in type, no high perf, no complex. All they required was 10 takeoff/landings with an instructor (who also signed off the high perf and complex- 220 hp and CS prop) and I was good to go, that year I paid about $2500 for the premium.

Your comparing a Stinson and a Maule...apples to oranges as far as insurance is concerned.

A 220-horse Super Stinson ought to be comparable to an M4-220 Maule, performance wise as well as insurance wise, except for the apparent fact that Maules "turn over on their back all the time". I guess the underwriters can't do anything but go by the statistics.
I wouldn't be surprised to hear that Maule is going through some tough times... as are a lot of other business operations in this country. I hope they can weather the current economic storms. Even though I don't own a Maule, I'm very glad to see that they have been in continual operation for what, about 40 years now? Like A64 sez, look how many airplane builders have come & gone, some more than once, and the Maule family is still hanging in there building airplanes. Good on them!!

Eric

Mine is the so-called Super Stinson, with 220 HP. Performance wise, pretty comparable to the Maule's with the 210-235 engines. I would guess the ground manners on the Stinson might be a little more docile. My main point is shop around. Looking at my policy I see U.S. Specialty Insurance Co. is the underwriter. Right out of the gate, they were about 1/2 the price I was quoted by AVEMCO. Seems as though some companies really don't want to touch float/ski aircraft, even though they say the insure all of them. Might be the same with TW. Even though I had 400 or so TW time when I bought my Stinson, it was all in 2 seaters (champs cubs Tcrates). Didn't seem to bother them. When I went to ski's/wheels, they had no requirements for training, even though I had never flown a Stinson or any other 4 place taildragger on wheels. Just get in and go and I was legal. Maybe the 400 TW time was good enough for them, or maybe they just overlooked no TW time in type. I even specifically asked if I needed a checkout, and they said no.

a64pilot wrote:A prop strike is irrelevant as long as it was properly handled. It could even increase the value (new prop)

OK, how would you rate a teardown inspection done by a local shop vs. one done by Lycoming, Penn-Yan, or Mattituck? As an out of town buyer I sure wouldn't know to trust the work of a shop unknown to me, especially when it comes to something as important as an engine inspection. Guess I'm a little cynical on these things.