Maule M-7 Series for Sale — Buy or Sell a Maule STOL Aircraft Worldwide
The Maule M-7 Series represents the culmination of decades of development at Maule Air — a family-owned American aircraft manufacturer that has built some of the finest short-takeoff-and-landing aircraft in general aviation history. The M-7 and its close relatives deliver extraordinary STOL performance, genuine versatility across wheel, ski, and float configurations, and the kind of rugged simplicity that appeals to bush pilots, backcountry adventurers, and working utility operators worldwide. Maule M-7 aircraft for sale are highly sought after by pilots who need to access remote backcountry destinations inaccessible to conventional aircraft, and Airplane Trade is the best marketplace to find and list them worldwide.
Maule Aircraft — A Family Legacy of STOL Excellence
Belford Maule founded Maule Aircraft in 1941 and spent decades refining a series of high-wing, fabric-covered STOL aircraft that progressively evolved from the original M-4 through the M-5, M-6, and ultimately the M-7 series. Maule Aircraft is headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia, and has produced aircraft continuously since 1961 — making it one of the longest-continuously-operating small aircraft manufacturers in the United States. The company remains family-owned and produces aircraft in relatively small numbers, which contributes to the strong residual values that Maule aircraft have historically maintained. The M-7 series was introduced in the late 1980s and has been progressively developed with different engine options, increased gross weights, and improved interior appointments, while retaining the fundamental STOL character that defines the Maule brand.
Maule M-7 Variants
- M-7-180 Star Rocket — Lycoming O-360 engine, 180 hp; basic M-7 airframe; outstanding STOL in a light, simple package; popular for personal backcountry flying.
- M-7-235 Super Star — Lycoming O-540-J3A5D engine, 235 hp; increased performance; higher useful load; popular for float and ski operations where extra power is valued.
- M-7-260 Star Rocket — Lycoming IO-540 engine, 260 hp; most powerful standard M-7 variant; outstanding climb rate and float performance; preferred for operations at high density altitude.
- MT-7-235 Turbine Star — Allison 250-B17C turboprop engine, 320 shp; turbine-powered M-7; dramatically improved performance; Jet-A fuel; rare and highly sought-after variant.
- M-7-420 Rocket — Experimental-category turboprop conversion; various engine options; exceptional performance envelope; primarily for bush and backcountry specialist operations.
Performance — Maule M-7-235 Super Star (Wheels)
- Engine — Lycoming O-540-J3A5D, 235 hp
- Maximum Speed — 158 mph (137 knots / 254 km/h)
- Cruise Speed — 140 mph (122 knots / 225 km/h) at 75% power
- Range — 740 miles (1,190 km) with standard fuel
- Service Ceiling — 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
- Rate of Climb — 1,350 ft/min (sea level, MTOW)
- MTOW — 2,500 lb (1,134 kg)
- Takeoff Over 50 ft Obstacle — Approximately 600 ft
- Landing Over 50 ft Obstacle — Approximately 550 ft
- Seating — Pilot + 3 passengers (4-seat configuration)
Why the Maule M-7 is the Backcountry Pilot's Choice
The Maule M-7's STOL credentials are genuinely exceptional — a carefully tuned combination of slotted flaps that extend to 45 degrees, a high-lift wing with leading edge cuffs, a powerful engine for its weight class, and straightforward conventional-gear handling that rewards skilled pilots with access to strips too short or rough for any comparable production aircraft. The conventional gear configuration — tailwheel — is standard on all production Maules, providing better propeller clearance, lighter weight, and lower drag than a nosewheel arrangement. The fabric-covered airframe, while requiring more care than metal construction, provides a remarkably compliant structure that absorbs rough-strip landings gracefully and is straightforward to repair in the field with basic materials and skills. The M-7 converts easily between wheel, ski, and float configurations — most owners change configurations seasonally — giving the aircraft year-round utility across an extraordinarily wide range of environments.
Buying a Maule M-7 — Key Considerations
- Fabric Condition — Inspect the fabric covering carefully; Ceconite or Stits Poly-Fiber fabric has a service life of 15–25 years depending on UV exposure; recovering the airframe is labour-intensive but straightforward.
- Engine Hours (SMOH) — Lycoming O-360 and O-540 engines have TBOs of 2,000 hours; assess hours since overhaul and budget $15,000–$30,000 for a fresh overhaul.
- Float Equipment — If purchasing with floats, inspect float hulls, water rudders, bilge pump systems, and strut attach fittings carefully; amphib floats add complexity and maintenance requirements.
- Tailwheel Rigging — Verify the tailwheel spring and steering chain/cable are properly rigged; poor tailwheel rigging is a common issue that can make the aircraft difficult to handle on the ground.
- Logbook Review — Maules used in bush operations accumulate high cycles quickly; review all logbooks carefully and look for any damage history or major repairs.
Find Your Maule M-7 on Airplane Trade
Airplane Trade is the premier global marketplace for STOL and backcountry aircraft including the full Maule M-7 Series — M-7-180, M-7-235, M-7-260, and the rare MT-7-235 Turbine Star. Browse verified listings from bush pilots, outfitters, and private owners across Alaska, Canada, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. Each listing includes configuration details (wheels/floats/skis), fabric condition, engine status, and direct seller contact. Find your Maule M-7 on Airplane Trade and open up the backcountry today.