Results posted on the Valdez Fly In Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/valdezflyin/photos/pcb.10156094431620071/10156094431260071/?type=3&theater

Video: (Maules at the last 2 minutes of the video)



Isaac's factory brand new 5 place M7 235 performed impressively. That is a commercial ops aircraft for their Part 135 Air Taxi business:

https://www.godscountryaviation.com/about.html

Chet did us proud for those of us driving short wing Maules; scheduling and weather delayed him so that he arrived at the airport as his heat was staging; no time to lighten the plane of fuel and other weight. Still an excellent showing!

Congratulations to both!

That's what spending $350k plus will get you.

The planes that took 2nd through 5th probably add up to $350k combined. Congrats to all the hard work the 'also rans' put into their planes to make it to the fly-in this year. I know lots of late nights were spent at PASX. Nice showing from the Soldotna area crew: Shawn, Terry, Ben.

"That's what spending $350k plus will get you."

Can you buy a brand new Cessna anything for that amount? BTW, base price for a new 172 is $369K and won't seat 5 people. I really didn't want this to go in this direction. Speaking of 172's, Spence did a great job with his performance; 77 feet take off.

Gotta say that Brent Maule and family did a great job on this plane for Isaac.

DeltaRomeo wrote:"That's what spending $350k plus will get you."

Can you buy a brand new Cessna anything for that amount? BTW, base price for a new 172 is $369K and won't seat 5 people. I really didn't want this to go in this direction. Speaking of 172's, Spence did a great job with his performance; 77 feet take off.

Gotta say that Brent Maule and family did a great job on this plane for Isaac.

A customer of mine came into the shop bragging that Maule cleaned up as well. I'd hope a plane with that many mods can beat a stock 172. Even if it's only by 10 feet...

I met Isaac, Renae and family two years ago, while flying North of the Brooks. What a great family, I was a complete stranger to them but was treated like a old friend with coffee and snacks on a cold wet day. Congrats on a great Job!!
DENNY

That M7 is a beautiful build. It was on static display for Maule Aircraft at the Alaska Airmen show. I'll add a few photos here shortly.

Congrats to the pilot. He probably had those 170s outweighed by a few hundred lbs. He could probably have placed well in any aircraft.

Hats off to Maule for building a really nice airplane. I hope they continue to go this direction. I’m always amazed how tight these competitions are. Nice flying Isaac!

Now there is that much more reason to “Just buy a Maule.”

twflyer wrote:Hats off to Maule for building a really nice airplane. I hope they continue to go this direction. I’m always amazed how tight these competitions are. Nice flying Isaac!

Now there is that much more reason to “Just buy a Maule.”

They are nice. Just finished nodding a M7 up a bunch. But I still have plenty of reasons why not to buy them. Each to there own though.

Updated my previous post with photos. Really nice fit and finish.

Although...I wonder how Isaac feels about having his headset jacks labeled for some guy named Mike?

DeltaRomeo wrote:Isaac's factory brand new 5 place M7 235 performed impressively. That is a commercial ops aircraft for their Part 135 Air Taxi business

The maule worked well, but Isaac's technique was very very good, as was the technique of many others in the class including Chet, Terry, and Shawn. It was a lot of flying airplanes at their absolute performance limit, and super fun to watch.

schu

Zzz wrote:Although...I wonder how Isaac feels about having his headset jacks labeled for some guy named Mike?

This is just one of the custom features all Maule’s come with. Every one I’ve every seen. If I ever get to Moultrie the first thing I’m asking is “Who the F#%€ is Mike!!?” And where do I plug my mic?

At least it gives us confidence that the airplane was built some real sharp folks. Or maybe just a guy named Mike.

I tried ordering a headset once with a Mike-er-phone. No Joy.

The more I fly my Maule the more I like it. When I trade story's with friends about the cost of air frame parts I am even more satisfied with my Maule. Well EXCEPT for the exhaust! To each their own.

Cheers...Rob

OregonMaule wrote:The more I fly my Maule the more I like it. When I trade story's with friends about the cost of air frame parts I am even more satisfied with my Maule. Well EXCEPT for the exhaust! To each their own.

Cheers...Rob

I haven't received my exhaust repair bill yet from this annual. This should be fun.

OregonMaule wrote:The more I fly my Maule the more I like it. When I trade story's with friends about the cost of air frame parts I am even more satisfied with my Maule. Well EXCEPT for the exhaust! To each their own.

Cheers...Rob

Glad it's good for someone. Last time I ordered parts it took 6 months to get 2 elevators and a rudder, and they custom built and sent the wrong rudder without calling to confirm it's actually what I wanted. Then had a heck of a time shipping it back, and have yet to be credited back. Needless to say I'm not thoroughly impressed... maybe they were too busy building that grey Maule to worry about getting other parts out.

Everything has it's pros/cons. Zane and I were talking about the whole Maule/Bearhawk/180 thing for a week.

For me, I think it's best to be happy with what you have and focus on the good aspects. If I had a Maule I might desire the 180 fit and finish, if I had a 180 I might desire the cheaper parts and stronger airframe, If I had a bearhawk (which I do) I might desire a flying airplane while building.....

At the end of the day, I'm having a blast with my lowly 170A. Now if the sun would just come out!

Anyone have video of the Everts C-46? If I wind the lottery I'm bringing a C-46 home.

akschu wrote:Everything has it's pros/cons. Zane and I were talking about the whole Maule/Bearhawk/180 thing for a week.

For me, I think it's best to be happy with what you have and focus on the good aspects. If I had a Maule I might desire the 180 fit and finish, if I had a 180 I might desire the cheaper parts and stronger airframe, If I had a bearhawk (which I do) I might desire a flying airplane while building.....

At the end of the day, I'm having a blast with my lowly 170A. Now if the sun would just come out!

Well said sir!

A1Skinner wrote:

OregonMaule wrote:The more I fly my Maule the more I like it. When I trade story's with friends about the cost of air frame parts I am even more satisfied with my Maule. Well EXCEPT for the exhaust! To each their own.

Cheers...Rob

Glad it's good for someone. Last time I ordered parts it took 6 months to get 2 elevators and a rudder, and they custom built and sent the wrong rudder without calling to confirm it's actually what I wanted. Then had a heck of a time shipping it back, and have yet to be credited back. Needless to say I'm not thoroughly impressed... maybe they were too busy building that grey Maule to worry about getting other parts out.

David, I feel your pain. I would be pissed too! Good luck getting your money back.

Cheers...Rob

Kinda curious about the "light touring" win.
I googled up the Valdez rules, it said light touring class is up to 2499# gross weight. Then I googled up the Maule M7 specs, that said 2500# gross.
Seems like it should be heavy touring, & competing against 180s etc.

zzz, that’s funny about the mic being labeled mike. I hadn’t noticed that yet. Hot rod 180. The rules showed the M7s with the light touring even though we have a 2500lb GW.
This new Maule really does fly great. It’s STOL performance surpasses any PA-18 I have flown and I worked a pretty good cub in my air taxi before I got a Maule. With the M7 I now take two guys and gear into all the same strips I used to take one guy and gear- and I get there a lot faster. The Maule is not perfect but it is by far the best plane I have found to fit our business model.
Isaac