Well, after about five years of looking for the right backcountry steed for me, I have decided and taken the plunge! I just bought a 1994 Maule M8-235!! I haven't taken possession of it yet, but it will be this week and I can't wait.

My decision wasn't easy. It was between a Super Cub, a Maule and a Cessna 180/185. I know that these are three different airplanes, and all awesome backcountry air steeds, do choosing the Maule doesn't mean that I dislike any of the other two. The decision was based on two factors: utility (my mission) and price.

Other than the fact that I had a beautiful M8 hangared three hangars from mine, the Maule seemed to satisfy my needs. I needed more space, speed and range than the SC, and I didn't need the price tag, payload, and cost of parts of the Cessnas.

Here are some pictures I took on the run. Later I'll post what I'm going to do to it.

Hey Eduardo! Congrats! Where u been, thought maybe u fell off the end of the earth.

Funny, had a big tire Maule stop here on its way from Alaska to Costa Rica.

Hey Phil, it took me a while to climb from the other side of the end of the earth! I'll be in Austin for Thanksgiving. We'll get together then. I'll try to bring the Maule!

Awesome!

How's the saltwater fly fishing down there? I was thinking about a winter getaway down to belize to cruise the flats for permit, bones, and tarpon. I'm curious about how friendly El Salvador would be for gringos in this day and age.

congrats, I'm sure she will serve you well.

Congrats Eduardo enjoy it and have fun
How are the backcountry strips in El Salvador?

Im going there in January (Ilopango airshow)

Not many, Larry, but plenty of places to set down a Maule. Give yourself a couple of days after the airshow, and we can check them out together! Nice to hear from you!

SA, you've yourself a deal. Now, with an offer like that, I WILL come visit. Thanks!!

Eduardo we have more than 10 strips that you will have a lot of fun flying into in Costa Rica.
Some in beaches, indian communities, mountain hotel, and national parks.

Plan a trip and we go to all of them.
Will try to stay at least a day longer in Ilopango.

Great Larry, I would love to discover those strips with you! We'll talk about it at the show.

Sounds like a plan

Ah Just get a Maule!
HE DID!!

I did!!! [PARTY POPPER][PARTY POPPER][PARTY POPPER]

Tomorrow I'm taking possession of my "new" Maule M8-235!!! I'll post pictures when it's mine!

Barnstormer wrote:Hey Eduardo! Congrats! Where u been, thought maybe u fell off the end of the earth.

Funny, had a big tire Maule stop here on its way from Alaska to Costa Rica.

You know what's really funny, Phil?? That same Maule went through Ilopango (my airport), El Salvador a couple of weeks ago on their way home. A buddy pilot friend of mine took these pictures, and sent them to me, knowing I was buying a Maule. Unfortunately, I was not at the airport, so I didn't have a chance meet these people. I would have loved to talk to them about their trip in that beautiful bird.

By the way, I'll be coming to Austin for Thanksgiving, so I'll give you a call. Looking forward to a burger at our usual place!!

You guys are killing me, now I want to fly my Maule down to El Salvador with stops in Costa Rica!
Then I'll pop across the water to say 'howzit china' to Chris. Obviously I would have quit my job and got a divorce too but hey....what the hell.

lol - me too = I just spent 2 hours researching it and reminding myself why I couldn't do a trip to Belize. I can't stop thinking about the permit fishing on the flats. Guess I'll have to take a cattle car.

Rezrider wrote:You guys are killing me, now I want to fly my Maule down to El Salvador with stops in Costa Rica!
Then I'll pop across the water to say 'howzit china' to Chris. Obviously I would have quite my job and got a divorce too but hey....what the hell.

That Maule belongs to my friend Les Zerbe from Alaska, he moved to Costa Rica and will base the plane here (he will stay here for winters, and the plane full time), We are meeting tomorrow and he will give me a briefing about his flight from Alaska.
I bet was quite an adventure.
Will try to convince him to go to Ilopango airshow.

Very experienced and good pilot , I flew with him in Alaska, had a great time, 30,000hrs of bush flying in Africa and Alaska, he has lots of very good stories.

Okay this whole six degrees of separation thing is freaking me out a little. Les Zerbe lands here at Spicewood, I'm out golfing and get a call from our airport manager knowing I'd like to meet any big tire pilot, hands her phone to Les and we chat for a few minutes. Then he shows up at Eduardo's airport and a friend snaps some pictures which ends up here where motoadve recognizes them as being his friend Les's plane. How very cool is that!

motoadve, please say high to Les for me, the guy he talked to on the phone on his 88R fuel stop.

And Eduardo, looking forward to the burger, seeing you again, and hopefully your new bird.

Wow, this is all really cool. And all because of BCP, right on Zzz, thanks.

PatínLoco wrote:

Barnstormer wrote:Hey Eduardo! Congrats! Where u been, thought maybe u fell off the end of the earth.

Funny, had a big tire Maule stop here on its way from Alaska to Costa Rica.

You know what's really funny, Phil?? That same Maule went through Ilopango (my airport), El Salvador a couple of weeks ago on their way home. A buddy pilot friend of mine took these pictures, and sent them to me, knowing I was buying a Maule. Unfortunately, I was not at the airport, so I didn't have a chance meet these people. I would have loved to talk to them about their trip in that beautiful bird.

By the way, I'll be coming to Austin for Thanksgiving, so I'll give you a call. Looking forward to a burger at our usual place!!

motoadve wrote:That Maule belongs to my friend Les Zerbe from Alaska, he moved to Costa Rica and will base the plane here (he will stay here for winters, and the plane full time), We are meeting tomorrow and he will give me a briefing about his flight from Alaska.
I bet was quite an adventure.
Will try to convince him to go to Ilopango airshow.

Very experienced and good pilot , I flew with him in Alaska, had a great time, 30,000hrs of bush flying in Africa and Alaska, he has lots of very good stories.

Sure will say hello from you