Can a Maule MX7 make a good personal aircraft?

D

DMD3.

Line Up and Wait
Joined
Nov 8, 2014
Messages
592
Display Name
DMD3.
Home Airfield
KABY
Strangely I’ve never considered owning a Maule, but there are older MX7’s listed below $100k, albeit with old-fashioned VFR panels. The website advertises a 120 kt cruise speed, so while not speed demons by any stretch, it seems they’ll have similar cruise to Skyhawks, Cherokee 180 speeds, especially if I don’t have large tundra tires and equip wheel pants (assuming you can get them, as most photos of MX7’s don’t have them). I’m not looking for a hardcore STOL/bush plane, just a fairly inexpensive plane to enjoy flying. Payload is also not a big issue, as I don’t plan on flying long x-countrys with 3 adult passengers (not saying I won’t fly x-c’s solo). And while I’ve never flown in or even sat in a Maule, it appears the large windows make for fantastic visibility, which is a big plus for me.

Something else to consider is I’m located in south Ga, which is where Maules are manufactured (Moultrie Ga), so perhaps this could be an advantage, as I could take my aircraft there for annuals, etc. Of course, it could be the exact opposite; similar to why I won’t take my Toyota Camry to a Toyota stealership to get serviced, as they charge a fortune over regular shops. So what are your thoughts on the MX7’s? Are they good aircraft in place of a Skyhawk or Cherokee? Any reason you would try to dissuade me from owning one? The O-540 powered M7/M9 models are out of my affordability range.
 
I owned an M4-145 for about 19 years…loved the airplane, but it was under-powered and under-winged. An MX-7-180 would be the right fit for me if I was back in the airplane market.

That said, sit in one and fly one before you commit. If Bonanzas are the Cadillac, Maules are Willy’s Jeep. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but don’t expect even Cessna quality.

Parts are pretty reasonably priced from the factory, but they can be slow. I needed an engine mount for mine, and after 3 rounds of “it’ll be two weeks,” I sent mine out for rebuild and had it back in two weeks for the same price.
 
Yeah, Maule will suit you fine. They aren't the fastest. They aren't the slowest. They don't have the most useful load. They don't have the least useful load. They aren't the cheapest. They aren't the most expensive.

On the whole, they are a pretty good compromise across the board. As previously stated, you probably don't want anything less than 180HP.
 
For the past six years, my front yard has served as the launchpad for my MXT, a truly versatile aircraft. While it might not be the speediest bird in the sky, its forgiving nature makes it an absolute pleasure to fly. Its real strength lies in its utility; I can easily fit two 29" tire gravel bikes in the back with camping gear. With the "patroller doors," the visibility is simply outstanding. I've always thought of it as the aviation equivalent of a Toyota Land Cruiser: rugged, dependable, and surprisingly capable with its full IFR panel and autopilot. In comparison, a Skyhawk feels more like a less adventurous Camry. Being located near Moultrie, GA, I thinks would be a plus.
 
I would say they should be kept in a hangar at least in Florida. That’s why I passed on a MXT170.
 
If it fits your mission ,go for it .
 
JEM68 said:
For the past six years, my front yard has served as the launchpad for my MXT, a truly versatile aircraft. While it might not be the speediest bird in the sky, its forgiving nature makes it an absolute pleasure to fly. Its real strength lies in its utility; I can easily fit two 29" tire gravel bikes in the back with camping gear. With the "patroller doors," the visibility is simply outstanding. I've always thought of it as the aviation equivalent of a Toyota Land Cruiser: rugged, dependable, and surprisingly capable with its full IFR panel and autopilot. In comparison, a Skyhawk feels more like a less adventurous Camry. Being located near Moultrie, GA, I thinks would be a plus.
Click to expand...
JEM68 said:
For the past six years, my front yard has served as the launchpad for my MXT, a truly versatile aircraft. While it might not be the speediest bird in the sky, its forgiving nature makes it an absolute pleasure to fly. Its real strength lies in its utility; I can easily fit two 29" tire gravel bikes in the back with camping gear. With the "patroller doors," the visibility is simply outstanding. I've always thought of it as the aviation equivalent of a Toyota Land Cruiser: rugged, dependable, and surprisingly capable with its full IFR panel and autopilot. In comparison, a Skyhawk feels more like a less adventurous Camry. Being located near Moultrie, GA, I thinks would be a plus.
Click to expand...

That’s what I’m thinking about the “patroller doors” (didn’t know they were called that), the visibility would be fantastic. They also look easier to get in/out of and seem to be at least slightly more spacious than a Skyhawk.
 
bonefishpete said:
I would say they should be kept in a hangar at least in Florida. That’s why I passed on a MXT170.
Click to expand...

What if I use covers, and not just for the cockpit but for the entire airframe?
 
I’d suggest getting an insurance quote first. When I was buying, a Maule was over double that of a c180,c170, or cub.
 
DMD3. said:
What if I use covers, and not just for the cockpit but for the entire airframe?
Click to expand...
Covers are a bad idea. No matter how tight you secure them they still flap in the wind and abrade the fabric (or at least the paint)
Had an M7-235C for a little over ten years. They are decent airplanes, not roomier than a 172 though. Think more along the lines of a Piper Pacer which they were originally basically a copy of. Their most redeeming quality is bang for the buck and the huge cargo door setup. As for using the factory for annuals and such I don't know, seemed like they were mostly geared for production. I don't recall seeing a maintenance area. A lot of the owners fit into the "back country" genre so that's why insurance can be a point of issue.
 
Maules are dirt simple airplanes, more like a Cub or older homebuilt than a Cessna. No special factory tools or jigs are needed for repairs, though you need an A&P with tube and fabric skills. A Maule is much cooler than a C-172, it's like comparing a Jeep to a minivan.
 
DMD3. said:
That’s what I’m thinking about the “patroller doors” (didn’t know they were called that), the visibility would be fantastic. They also look easier to get in/out of and seem to be at least slightly more spacious than a Skyhawk.
Click to expand...
Skyhawks are much easier to get in/out of.

Skyhawks are more spacious.

Patroller doors are awesome! Mine even has acrylic in the foot well on the right side. Super fun.

1745934272916.jpeg

Wagondriver said:
I’d suggest getting an insurance quote first. When I was buying, a Maule was over double that of a c180,c170, or cub.
Click to expand...
I was seeing 50% more, but yeah, Maule's are not cheap to insure and that's part of the equation.
 
DMD3. said:
What if I use covers, and not just for the cockpit but for the entire airframe?
Click to expand...
You will soon hate the covers. Unless you fly very infrequently. Love the Maule for its yoke as opposed to a stick.
 
MauleSkinner said:
Or hate the Maule for its yoke instead of a stick. Either way. ;)
Click to expand...
This. It's one of the reasons I didn't pursue a C-170 a few years back. Tailwheel and yoke just don't belong together in my mind, unless you're flying a DC-3 or some WW2 bomber. Haha!

I feel like yoke vs stick doesn't get the argumentative attention it deserves. Old and busted: high wing vs low wing. New hotness: stick vs. yoke!
 
AvNavCom said:
This. It's one of the reasons I didn't pursue a C-170 a few years back. Tailwheel and yoke just don't belong together in my mind, unless you're flying a DC-3 or some WW2 bomber. Haha!

I feel like yoke vs stick doesn't get the argumentative attention it deserves. Old and busted: high wing vs low wing. New hotness: stick vs. yoke!
Click to expand...
Well, I dun lernt to fly with a tailwheel and a yoke. I could hang my elbow out the window while holding the yoke. That was nice.
But the current ride has a stick and no opening window, so my hand stays in my lap. (I can leave the door open or take it off if desired.)

I don't know which side to argue for.
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
Well, I dun lernt to fly with a tailwheel and a yoke. I could hang my elbow out the window while holding the yoke. That was nice.
But the current ride has a stick and no opening window, so my hand stays in my lap. (I can leave the door open or take it off if desired.)

I don't know which side to argue for.
Click to expand...
In my Citabria, I could fly with fingertip pressure on the stick, and my arm elbow hanging out of the window. Dammit, I think I sold the wrong airplane.
 
We can also argue about throttle on the left (the true way) or throttle in the center (the only bad thing about a Luscombe) in stick aircraft.

We will ignore the side-stick for the heresy that it is, and politely ignore the weird center Y-stick thing in the otherwise delightful Zenith CH-701.
 
AvNavCom said:
or throttle in the center (the only bad thing about a Luscombe) in stick aircraft.
Click to expand...

Another bad thing about a Luscombe is the cockpit space. It makes a Cessna 150 seem like a Cadillac (I grew up riding in an 8E).
 
DMD3. said:
Another bad thing about a Luscombe is the cockpit space. It makes a Cessna 150 seem like a Cadillac (I grew up riding in an 8E).
Click to expand...
Did you grow up riding in it with both parents and two siblings like one of my mom’s classmates?
 
MauleSkinner said:
Did you grow up riding in it with both parents and two siblings like one of my mom’s classmates?
Click to expand...

No just with my father who was also a pilot. While I have heard of young children riding in the baggage section of a C150, it’d be impossible in a Luscombe unless it’s literally a small baby.
 
DMD3. said:
No just with my father who was also a pilot. While I have heard of young children riding in the baggage section of a C150, it’d be impossible in a Luscombe unless it’s literally a small baby.
Click to expand...
Two toddlers. The baby was in mom’s lap.
 
AvNavCom said:
politely ignore the weird center Y-stick thing in the otherwise delightful Zenith CH-701.
Click to expand...

I have a center stick in my experimental. I can fly left seat or center seat (using the two outside rudder pedals). Center seat gives more of a fighter mode feeling as it's easier to keep an eye on the six ... :biggrin:
 
Dana said:
Maules are dirt simple airplanes, more like a Cub or older homebuilt than a Cessna. No special factory tools or jigs are needed for repairs, though you need an A&P with tube and fabric skills. A Maule is much cooler than a C-172, it's like comparing a Jeep to a minivan.
Click to expand...
I always thought that the automotive equivalent to a 172 was a mid 70's Toyota Corolla. A PA-32 would be more able to fulfill the flying minivan role.
 
Dana said:
Maules are dirt simple airplanes, more like a Cub or older homebuilt than a Cessna. No special factory tools or jigs are needed for repairs, though you need an A&P with tube and fabric skills. A Maule is much cooler than a C-172, it's like comparing a Jeep to a minivan.
Click to expand...

Would you say that they can be very affordable to own overall? I realize neglect, abuse, deferred maintenance, etc. can cause any aircraft to be a financial nightmare. The C/S prop overhaul is also something to keep in mind, as well as the higher insurance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top