Guys,

A friend is considering a nose wheel Maule for his next plane. He flies a newer T182 and was thinking of stepping down, money-wise.

He's looking at the 235 and 260 models. Any inherent problems that he should look for other than the Lycoming AD?

Any input appreciated!!

Regards,
Scott

I always check SDRs. You can find a lot of hidden service issues that do make it to SB, AD status.

http://av-info.faa.gov/sdrx/

Just buy a strait tail 182

Tim

Get a tailwheel.

OregonMaule wrote:Get a tailwheel.

Correct. We are both correct. But if it a nose wheel you want an early 182 is a really good option. Insurance is way cheaper. The Maule does have a superior baggage door though. Where is your friend. If close I would give him a ride

Tim

He's not interested in an older plane.
He spends most of his time flying around McCall. His 182 is now worth more than he paid for it and he's thinking he can bank $100k and buy a similar year replacement in a Maule.
Any constructive advice?

Well, I can't tell your friend much about Cessnas but if he would like to give me a call, I am happy to share with him all I know about Maules, having been deeply involved with them for 40 years. In fact I can steer him to a 2002 and a 2008 MT7-235.
Jeremy
maules.com

maules.com wrote:Well, I can't tell your friend much about Cessnas but if he would like to give me a call, I am happy to share with him all I know about Maules, having been deeply involved with them for 40 years. In fact I can steer him to a 2002 and a 2008 MT7-235.
Jeremy
maules.com

SV, There is not anyone who nows more about Maule than Jeremy, and he is more than willing to share all he knows, Great guy!

I believe that there is a fairly recent thread on exactly this matter. I can't seem to find it though.

Sorry it took a while for me to see this thread, I've been out enjoying my Maule (nosewheel).

I won't approach the nose/tailwheel discussion; there is nothing to be gained there.

I've had my MXT7 180-A about 1,000 mostly trouble free hours, and I've flown in about a dozen other Maules, sometimes piloted by some of the best backcountry pilots I've even encountered.

My 2 cents is that a Maule needs horsepower to live up to it's potential in the backcountry. Although my 180 has a high useful load, it's a pig at higher weights with respect to climb, especially high and hot.

Same applies to a C/S prop. I have a FP and wish I'd spent the money for a bigger motor and different prop. Of course there WAS no more money!

There are a few mods for a Trigear to make it a bit tougher off airport. The nosefork will accomadate a 7" wheel, 8.5's can go on the mains. A rubber snubber helps protect the nosegear strut, and a spring protects the rear tiedown.

Even without these mods a Trigear is fairly capable off airport. My plane has done some pretty impressive things, even with me behind the yoke.

A limitation (IMHO) of a Trigear in the rocks is the nosewheel throws rocks at the soft underside of the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer. I've had to repair holes in both of mine. Not a disaster but a big PIA.

FWIW, the 182 is one of my favorite planes. I'd love a 300 HP 182, but who wouldn't?