My boss is considering purchasing a Maule M5 that is (I believe) parked at merril field (AK). It's blue and purple and is N398X.

Does anyone know anything about this plane that would be important when making the decision to buy?

It has been a while since I looked closely at that plane, but I do remember liking what I saw when I looked --safety cables and re-enforced gear, if I remember correctly.

I think it is a nice m-5, but I do not think it has been flown much in the last year. Sitting around is not good for the engine.

Chet

Safety cables? Somebody did that on a Maule? Any pictures? Not trying to thread jack, but I want cables!

Should we move this?

I think it was a field aproval. I think the lower attachment is to a welded gusset. I do not remember the specifics, but I do remember thinking that Greg Miller, aka Muleguy, had a better safety cable system. I believe he attaches the lower end to the bolt that secures the oleo to the gear leg. He is experimental, and do not quote me on the details. Perhaps he will chime in and describe his system. As a matter of fact I think he talks about that in "Big Rock Long Props".

I think there is a rumor that The Bushwheels folks are working on safety cables for the Maule. Any cables to go with that new heavier gear, Wup?

Then there is always the debate about changing the failure point in the system. Do you want your gear to break, or do you want the frame to break? I say what ever will keep the prop out of the dirt.

Chet

chetharris wrote:Should we move this?

I think it was a field aproval. I think the lower attachment is to a welded gusset. I do not remember the specifics, but I do remember thinking that Greg Miller, aka Muleguy, had a better safety cable system. I believe he attaches the lower end to the bolt that secures the oleo to the gear leg. He is experimental, and do not quote me on the details. Perhaps he will chime in and describe his system. As a matter of fact I think he talks about that in "Big Rock Long Props".

I think there is a rumor that The Bushwheels folks are working on safety cables for the Maule. Any cables to go with that new heavier gear, Wup?

Then there is always the debate about changing the failure point in the system. Do you want your gear to break, or do you want the frame to break? I say what ever will keep the prop out of the dirt.

Chet

You don't have to move it if you don't want. My question got answered.
Thanks.

Kirk,
I drove by that Maule today, and I did not see safety cables on it. I could have sworn there were cables on that aircraft at one time. It looks to be well cared for, if not recently flown.
Chet

chetharris wrote:Should we move this?


I think there is a rumor that The Bushwheels folks are working on safety cables for the Maule. Any cables to go with that new heavier gear, Wup?


Chet

Chet--

Yes there are Cables in the works as well

Damn,
Wup it looks like you are going to end up with all of my little meager income

chetharris wrote:Kirk,
I drove by that Maule today, and I did not see safety cables on it. I could have sworn there were cables on that aircraft at one time. It looks to be well cared for, if not recently flown.
Chet

Chet,
My boss and I are flying down to Anchorage this morning to take a closer look at it. If he's interested in it, he'll hire out a pre-purchase (even though it got anualed last month).
His only hesitation on buying the Maule over a Scout (that's here in town) is that he's got several friends that have him scared regarding ground handling of the Maule and the abrupt power on stall characteristics. I'm doing my best to ease his mind on that issue. He's got his license but it's been about 20 years since he's flown and he has zero tail wheel time. He's gonna need some good instruction but that would be the case regardless of what he buys. If he buys that Maule he's gonna be looking for a competent Maule instructor in Anchorage or Fairbanks...any suggestions? I'd be happy to fly with him but I'm not an instructor and, since mine's on floats, it's been several years since I've flown anything with wheels under it...probably not a good idea to jump right into a wheel plane and give it a try.

Kirk,
I can personally reccommend Bob Haggerty. He helped me transition in my Maule and is a long time Alaskan pilot and instructor. I have heard very good things about The Reuss family over at Arctic Flyers. They are all high time pilots who instruct. There is also a guy up from Idaho, named Jeff Snider, who is giving instruction in an M-5. He was bouncing from Soldotna and Talkeetna.

Chet

chetharris wrote:Kirk,
I can personally reccommend Bob Haggerty. He helped me transition in my Maule and is a long time Alaskan pilot and instructor. I have heard very good things about The Reuss family over at Arctic Flyers. They are all high time pilots who instruct. There is also a guy up from Idaho, named Jeff Snider, who is giving instruction in an M-5. He was bouncing from Soldotna and Talkeetna.

Chet

Sounds like Jeff would be kinda tough to get ahold of...do you have contact information for Bob and Arctic Flyers? I'm assuming they're in Anchorage?
Thanks for you help Chet

chetharris wrote:Kirk,
I can personally reccommend Bob Haggerty. He helped me transition in my Maule and is a long time Alaskan pilot and instructor. I have heard very good things about The Reuss family over at Arctic Flyers. They are all high time pilots who instruct. There is also a guy up from Idaho, named Jeff Snider, who is giving instruction in an M-5. He was bouncing from Soldotna and Talkeetna.

Chet

Chet, are you at Merril? Looking for an excuse to go flying today?

Capt. Kirk wrote:

chetharris wrote:Kirk,
I drove by that Maule today, and I did not see safety cables on it. I could have sworn there were cables on that aircraft at one time. It looks to be well cared for, if not recently flown.
Chet

Chet,
My boss and I are flying down to Anchorage this morning to take a closer look at it. If he's interested in it, he'll hire out a pre-purchase (even though it got anualed last month).
His only hesitation on buying the Maule over a Scout (that's here in town) is that he's got several friends that have him scared regarding ground handling of the Maule and the abrupt power on stall characteristics. I'm doing my best to ease his mind on that issue. He's got his license but it's been about 20 years since he's flown and he has zero tail wheel time. He's gonna need some good instruction but that would be the case regardless of what he buys. If he buys that Maule he's gonna be looking for a competent Maule instructor in Anchorage or Fairbanks...any suggestions? I'd be happy to fly with him but I'm not an instructor and, since mine's on floats, it's been several years since I've flown anything with wheels under it...probably not a good idea to jump right into a wheel plane and give it a try.

I talked to this guy last year about some Maule instruction, never flew with him so this is information not necessarily a recommendation, though others had good things to say about him. His Maule is on floats so he'd use your boss' plane. He's in Fairbanks.

Jim O'Neill, Manager; 907/457-3151 North Star Aero

Kirk,
Are you kidding? My plane, an m-5 210c, has been out of commission for about a year. I would drop a bunch of stuff to go flying. Call me at 223-1577. I will go, and return the favor some day.

Tell your boss: the Maule over the Scout, or let him find out himself.

I have heard Heidi Reuss at Arctic Flyers: is an excellent instructor: 243-3953. I will try to hunt up the numbers for Jeff and Bob.

If I can find Bob's number, he was great. I called him hard ass Haggerty --not within earshot of the man himself. He would sit there next to me, quietly picking his teeth, letting me get into touble, before he would take the plane --usually by remiding me it had a rudder. His reminders included stomping hard left and hard right, and saying such encourageing things as, "Now fly the damn plane!" He could be gentle to. I wish I had not lost touch with him.

Chet

chetharris wrote:Kirk,
Are you kidding? My plane, an m-5 210c, has been out of commission for about a year. I would drop a bunch of stuff to go flying. Call me at 223-1577. I will go, and return the favor some day.

Tell your boss: the Maule over the Scout, or let him find out himself.

I have heard Heidi Reuss at Arctic Flyers: is an excellent instructor: 243-3953. I will try to hunt up the numbers for Jeff and Bob.

If I can find Bob's number, he was great. I called him hard ass Haggerty --not within earshot of the man himself. He would sit there next to me, quietly picking his teeth, letting me get into touble, before he would take the plane --usually by remiding me it had a rudder. His reminders included stomping hard left and hard right, and saying such encourageing things as, "Now fly the damn plane!" He could be gentle to. I wish I had not lost touch with him.

Chet

My m4 has been out of comission since last Sept so I know how you feel. The owner of 398X did not want us flying his plane due to lack of insurance but I did start it up yesterday (ran fine). My question regarding flying was hinting at us all piling into your plane
Actually, my boss went up in that Scout last week and fell in love with it immediatly. He's hasn't flown in a plane in years and I think he was more excited about flying than the plane. I would have liked to get him up in a Maule so he could compare and make the decision. I think that the fact he had to unload a pick-up load of crap from the back of 398X yesterday kinda made the decision for him. I pointed at the pile laying on the ground and said "think you could get all of that and 2 people in the Scout?"
I think he's gonna buy it if the guy is gonna wiggle a little on the price. There should be a price break based solely on the color of the thing...I've already started calling my boss "Papa Smurf"

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:

Capt. Kirk wrote:

chetharris wrote:Kirk,
I drove by that Maule today, and I did not see safety cables on it. I could have sworn there were cables on that aircraft at one time. It looks to be well cared for, if not recently flown.
Chet

Chet,
My boss and I are flying down to Anchorage this morning to take a closer look at it. If he's interested in it, he'll hire out a pre-purchase (even though it got anualed last month).
His only hesitation on buying the Maule over a Scout (that's here in town) is that he's got several friends that have him scared regarding ground handling of the Maule and the abrupt power on stall characteristics. I'm doing my best to ease his mind on that issue. He's got his license but it's been about 20 years since he's flown and he has zero tail wheel time. He's gonna need some good instruction but that would be the case regardless of what he buys. If he buys that Maule he's gonna be looking for a competent Maule instructor in Anchorage or Fairbanks...any suggestions? I'd be happy to fly with him but I'm not an instructor and, since mine's on floats, it's been several years since I've flown anything with wheels under it...probably not a good idea to jump right into a wheel plane and give it a try.

I talked to this guy last year about some Maule instruction, never flew with him so this is information not necessarily a recommendation, though others had good things to say about him. His Maule is on floats so he'd use your boss' plane. He's in Fairbanks.

Jim O'Neill, Manager; 907/457-3151 North Star Aero

Thanks for the number. My boss had a recent experience with him regarding one of his annuals/pre-purchase...he doesn't want to get into a plane with him as a result.

chetharris wrote:Kirk,
Are you kidding? My plane, an m-5 210c, has been out of commission for about a year. I would drop a bunch of stuff to go flying. Call me at 223-1577. I will go, and return the favor some day.

Tell your boss: the Maule over the Scout, or let him find out himself.

I have heard Heidi Reuss at Arctic Flyers: is an excellent instructor: 243-3953. I will try to hunt up the numbers for Jeff and Bob.

If I can find Bob's number, he was great. I called him hard ass Haggerty --not within earshot of the man himself. He would sit there next to me, quietly picking his teeth, letting me get into touble, before he would take the plane --usually by remiding me it had a rudder. His reminders included stomping hard left and hard right, and saying such encourageing things as, "Now fly the damn plane!" He could be gentle to. I wish I had not lost touch with him.

Chet

Steve just talked to Heidi and she said she didn't have any Maule time and that a plane used for instruction would need full coverage insurance. He's not going to be able to swing full coverage. He'll call Jeff and Bob (if you can find the numbers) to see if he can get a different answer.

If he can't "swing" full insurance coverage, why is he buying an airplane that he is singularly unqualified to fly?

Oh, wait, I forgot: Put the entire load on the flight instructor so that if anything goes wrong, his spouse can sue the poor dumb ass flight instructor's family for everything they ever owned and everything they ever could own.

This really chaps my ass. I'm so dang tired of cheap buttheads expecting ME to insure their crappy airplanes for them.....

Grrrrrr.......

Good for Heidi for turning it down. She is a true professional, and a great instructor.

Tell the guy he needs to cover the instructor's butt with insurance, or he can't afford to buy the plane.

Better yet tell him to buy the damn thing and teach himself to fly it. That will take care of the situation pretty quick.

Grrrr......

MTV

bravo mike



i am leasing my maule to a flight instructor here in talkeetna to do "bush flying" courses. he also does primary instruction, but mostly in his champ, due to cost.
PM me if you are interested.

mtv wrote:If he can't "swing" full insurance coverage, why is he buying an airplane that he is singularly unqualified to fly?

Oh, wait, I forgot: Put the entire load on the flight instructor so that if anything goes wrong, his spouse can sue the poor dumb ass flight instructor's family for everything they ever owned and everything they ever could own.

This really chaps my ass. I'm so dang tired of cheap buttheads expecting ME to insure their crappy airplanes for them.....

Grrrrrr.......

Good for Heidi for turning it down. She is a true professional, and a great instructor.

Tell the guy he needs to cover the instructor's butt with insurance, or he can't afford to buy the plane.

Better yet tell him to buy the damn thing and teach himself to fly it. That will take care of the situation pretty quick.

Grrrr......

MTV

MTV, don't kill the messanger

Maybe I'm misunderstanding something here. I thought full coverage was Liabillity AND hull coverage. I think my boss fully intends to purchase liabillity insurance which, if I'm thinking about this correctly, would cover injuries to the flight instructor and/or property damaged should something happen. He is willing to risk his investment in his aircraft, should something happen, by not purchasing Hull Coverage. To date he has purchased nothing.