Summary

The Maule aircraft is a popular backcountry capable aircraft due to its rugged design, load carrying capacity, true STOL capabilities, and good cross country cruise speeds. It is commonly flown on wheels, floats and skis, making virtually any destination and landing condition available to a Maule driver. Approximately 2600 aircraft have been produced by Maule since 1962. With the introduction of the Maule cargo door (51” x 27”; 90” long inside w/ front pax seat removed) on the M4 in 1965, few aircraft can be as suitable for cargo carrying into the backcountry as the Maule. When the M5 appeared, it was sporting a new tail design, inspired by the Bellanca Viking (which was also covered in Razorback fabric), which has remained to this day.

The Maule M5 was produced from 1974 to 1983, with approximately 750 built.

All came with conventional oleo strut landing gear and Maule tailwheel. Tire sizes ranged from 700-6 to 850-6 tire sizes by type certificate, bigger sizes available through STC and 337.

The wing design is an aluminum clad USA 35B modified which evolved with the introduction of the M5 by increasing the length of the flaps at the expense of the ailerons and increasing the wingspan from the M4’s 29’ 8” to 30’ 10”. The cord of the wing is 63” yielding approximately 158 sq/ft wing area. When introduced, the MTOW was 2300 lbs for all models but in 1981 Maule modified the wing structure to allow a 2500 lb gross with the exception of the M5 180C which increased to 2400 lbs. The standard fuel capacity was 40 gallons, with auxiliary tanks increasing the capacity to 63 gallons. Useful load ranges from 950 to 1150 lbs, depending on engine and vintage.

Performance

Cruise: 135 to 156 mph (depending on engine/prop combo) Vso: 38 mph Vx: 75 mph Vy: 90 mph

Model distinctions

The M5s were mostly distinguished by engines choice:

• 180 hp Lycoming 4-cyl O-360 w/ Hartzell CS prop
• 210 hp Continental 6-cyl IO-360 w/ McCauley CS prop
• 210 hp Turbocharged Lycoming 4-cyl TO-360 w/ Hartzell CS prop
• 220 hp Franklin 6-cyl 6A-350 w/ McCauley CS prop
• 235 hp Lycoming 6-cyl O-540 w/ Hartzell CS prop

Specifications

Notable issues