Maule m4 as a floatplane

[floatingbeaver]

Hey guys looking at a Maule m4 with the io360 210hp, and want to use it on floats, this particular one has vortex generators, wing ext. and droop tips. Anyone have experience or know how well a floatplane this would make? Have been looking at Stinsons, but then this came up. Any info would be great. All the best in 2010!

[rigpiggy]

Think along the lines of a PA 12. ie: 3 seat supercub More power/less wing. As I understand it BD Maule used the PA22 as his prototype in making the maule series. All airplanes are a compromise, what do you need yours to do?

[kiloindiapapa]

I think it would be OK. THere are alot of guys running only 180 hp or 195 hp 172's, 175's and 172 XPs. The cessna 180 only has 20 more ponies as does the 182. Would the Maule not be lighter? High wing, 4 place 210 hp....sounds like it should be good especially with the extra wing and vortex generators.

[Big Pistons Forever]

Are you operating on Fresh or Salt water ? The few Maules I have seen on salt did not fare very well. One in particular had such severe corrosion that it was beyond economic repair after 10 years on the West coast.

[hz2p]

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[chancellor]

Flew an M5 on floats and skis with a 210 hp. It was a little underpowered with a good sized load on floats, most of the problem was getting it to the step but it still carried a good load nonetheless. On skis nothing could hold it back.

[kingeddie]

I flew an M5- 235 quite allot and my impressions were that if you can pick your days and not beat them to hard they are a nice little airplane . Had a nice large cargo door and a large flat cargo area ,However we operated them commercially on most kind of days and when they went in for inspection they required allot of TLC . My main peaves were things like the pop rivets holding the flap together that looked like the skin was cut by a kindergarten class , they rinky dink fuel transfer pumps , exhaust system very prone to cracks . On they flight side the airplane has short wings , control surfaces and in gusty crosswinds the airplane will run out of aileron and requires you to be very diligent on the ruddder . In my years I have also seen 3 M4 maules tip over taxiing in moderate winds . They M5 also uses a negative flap setting in cruise .. Kind of wierd I thought but increased the cruise speed a little . All in All not a bad little plane .It was in fact the fastest float plane that Ive flown ..
On skiis or wheels the thing was in the air before you could get the throttle open with a little wind . Awesome and fun to fly in the winter
There is an M4 in Armstrong Ont that has been there for years and fellow seems to like it , maybe you could track him down
Eddie