Choose Your Mount—The Maules Do it All

From load-carrying ability to performance, Maule aircraft deliver 'numerous and legitimate' benefits. But they can be a bit tricky to land.

Jason McDowell

Monday, January 31, 2022 at 01:06 PM ET

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The Maule family is straightforward in a broad sense and more intricately detailed when it comes to the little things. [Photo: Jason McDowell]

Key Takeaways:

Maule aircraft are highly praised for their exceptional short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) capabilities, significant load-carrying capacity, and respectable cross-country range, often available at an approachable price point.
Designed for utility and durability since the 1960s, Maules benefit from consistent factory support, accessible parts, and various upgrade kits, with the company still family-owned and operated.
Despite strong takeoff and climb performance, tailwheel Maule models are noted for less forgiving ground handling during landings, requiring pilots to exercise extra discipline to avoid ground loops.
Owners appreciate the aircraft's robust build and versatility; however, potential buyers should consider the long-term cost of fabric fuselage replacement and potentially higher insurance premiums for tailwheel configurations.

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One of the very first steps in an aircraft purchase involves determining what capabilities we’d like our airplane to have, and it’s laughably easy to check the boxes as we go down the list. Cross-country range? We’ll take it. Load-carrying ability? Absolutely. Short-field performance? Sign us up. A five-digit price tag? Yes, please. An airframe built in the 1990s? Sounds great.

Before long, our wish list becomes as overloaded as a college student’s plate at an all-you-can-eat buffet, and we eventually realize that compromises must be made. STOL aircraft rarely provide long-distance speed and range, for example, and certificated types less than 30 years old are typically fairly expensive.