Bitterly dissapointed with you PPruner bar stewards
 

I have been posting on here for years covering a multitude of service and equipment issues that I felt may help my fellow pilots. Recently I was changing the oil on the Scottish Maule which I do every 25 hours religiously. This task involves removing a gazillion cowling screws taking the top cowling of then me morphing into a circus acrobat by getting on my hands and knees on the hangar floor with the bottom cowling on my back crawling slightly forward to allow my helper to remove the scat hoses then he slides an old kitchen table alongside me to hold the cowling then we both stand and gently navigate the cowling past the alternator and other obstructions then finally off. After the oil is changed the reverse is performed but with the added difficulty of reattaching the scat hoses as I bought them a 1/4" to tight and it takes a lot of manipulating and fairly liquid to reattach.

Prior to my recent prop strike on the US based Maule I went to change the oil for the first time since I had bought the plane. The usual dread of the cowling removal kerfuffle of the Scottish Maule fresh in my mind, after finally getting it off I noticed a funny looking blue device with a nipple end where the drain plug should be, I prodded pushed then twisted it and oil started pissing out.

NOBODY EVER MENTIONED ON HERE THEY MADE QUICK RELEASE OIL DRAIN PLUGS FOR AIRCRAFT ! :ugh:

Now thanks to my OWN discovery, the last five years of faffing about with the cowling while tolerating a helper with a bad attitude and face as long as his arm is history, all I have to do is simply slide a hose up from underneath with the bottom cowling still attached onto the quick drain and Bobs yer uncle, and all for the bargain price of $40, no more sore knees on a cold hangar floor for me !

Thanks a bunch.

But how do you get to the suction filter without removing the engine cowls ?

You might consider Yourself trolled...

But how do you get to the suction filter without removing the engine cowls ?


Simple.... Just remove all the Instrument Panel.... !


btw... There is a quick drain facility on Piper Tomahawks, and maybe others.

Hi Piperboy84,

I regret the matter you raise is not one I would have known anything about, so I hope you will forgive me for not posting about it.

However on another matter entirely, I have often wondered what the appeal of the Maule is; perhaps you might be kind enough to give me some idea.

I have seen these aircraft about the place for years and they do seem to have a devoted following. I have often wondered what the appeal of them must be. So far as I can see, they don't seem to offer anything in particular that is special.

So why would someone buy a Maule in preference to, say, one of the Cessnas? Or is it just an up-market marque; (like buying a BMW in preference to a Ford that will do the same job)?

BP.

Do some car servicing places suck the oil out through the dipstick tube, or are those devices only sold and used privately?

Do you mean there are some aircraft which are not fitted with quick release drains? Perhaps only those maintained by paid staff?

BP

I suppose the difference between a C172/PA28 and a Maule is like comparing a Ford Mondeo to well kitted out Land Rover Defender. The Mondeo is a good solid reliable no excuses car that is practical and very functional whereas the Defender has most of that plus some added capabilities and design features that make it more of a backcountry machine. Other aircraft comparable to the Maules "off road" capabilities are the Husky, Scout and Super Cub however they are all 2 seater tandems, stick control, whereas the Maule has 4 seats, cargo door, yoke control much like the 172/PA28 and is usually configured with a full IFR panel unlike its 2 seat peers.

Some of the features I like on the 180HP model:

* Comparable cruise speed to 172/PA28 but with a 40 MPH stall
* Just under 1000 LBS useful load
* Long range tanks (73 USG usable) giving a 8+ hour endurance
* Taildragger with Tundra tyres makes any beach, rural track or reasonably flat 700 ft field easily manageable.
* Removable rear seat (2 minute task) and clamshell cargo door combo gives a huge area for bikes or other cargo.
* Same operating costs as 172/PA28
* The factory is still in operation and building planes, support and spares readily available.
* Stood the test of time, my US based Maule is based on a 1950's TCDS and design. Certificated production aircraft.
* Benign, predictable and easy to fly characteristics
* The fun and utility of a taildragger with the layout, seating and nav/com fit of a 172/pa28.
* When I am flying I'm not constantly looking for a suitable field if the engine quits, you can put it down anywhere and usually undamaged.
* Although not a great IFR platform, its adequate. Can be legally equipped with S-tec AP
* Has a bit of that unusual factor when going into a new airstrip being a taildragger with bushwheels.
* STOL capabilities
* 4 doors with windows that fold up to open during flight and patrol window bottom half doors for good ground visibility.
* Sunroof with visor.
* Autogas STC
* Rugged build.
* Reasonable priced new or used in comparison to Cessna, Piper or Husky.
* Factory flight training available by Mr. R. Maule (He seems to know a thing or two about the plane)
* Can be fitted with floats or skis, and I believe all come from the factory with the float attachments welded to the frame
* Available in 180, 235 260 HP piston or 350HP turbine and hopefully Delta hawk diesel in the future.
* Family owned and run manufacturer since inception 60 years ago who has not sold out and relocated the factory to China.

Buy a chipmunk and the oil changes itself in flight with no need to remove cowlings or faff-about with drain valves at all...

:)

PDR

A cautionary tale about oil quick drains....

If you see them fitted to your local club PA-28 fleet, having one installed in your PA-28 Arrow isn't such a good idea. As you retract the gear the nose leg interferes with the quick drain and all the oil comes out :eek:

A few minutes later the engine stops..........

With a quick drain it should be wired lock in place or can spinout. Happened to me at 750ft only runs a couple of minutes without the wet black stuff. Was 60 seconds and 1.5 miles into a field then 5 miles to the airfield for coffee. Not a pleasant experience but we walked away with no damage.

Piperboy, did you post your experiences in the Engineers & Technicians forum?

Maybe someone there would have saved you a bit of trouble. :ok:




(An Engineer is someone who can do for 5 Bob what any fool can do for a pound) ;)

That is a (willingly?) false representation of facts. An engineer is someone who WILL (read: obligation to deliver) set right for 5 any job messed up by any amateur for 1 AND deliver the required documents, which includes assuming liability, mandatory documentation, traceability of parts &c &c. Not to mention reputation on them www forums.

@T/S: appreciating the tone & style of your message! Still, if you hadn't heard of said commodity, there might be a reason for that - as has been pointed out.

But he'll charge a tenner anyway....

I have always been of the belief that sump plugs are magnetised so one is able to check for bits of engine floating around in the oil by looking for bits of metal on the plug when removed. How is this checked if a quick drain plug is used, since the oil will just disappear down the tube?

I like the Maule but it needs a stick. Every taildragger needs a stick and not a steering wheel.

Buy a Jabiru and the engine will disassemble itself in flight, without laying a wrench on it! .... :)

Buy a super cub and when you want to take the front cowling off you have to first remove the prop. Timing the magnetos or removing the oil screen involves undoing two of the engine bearers and swinging the engine to the side (but not enough for EASY access)
It does have a stick, and built in slow cruise mode (aka normal rpm)

Our system doesn't seem to have a locking-wifr provision. It must be pushed up and twisted to drain. Afterfit to O200.

So a maule is slow, noisy, draughty, uncomfortable, lacks leg and elbow room, has a terrible heater, poor ventilation, leaks oil, is unreliable, lousy driving position, .....need I go on?

It should be wire locked to prevent it coming out of the sump, not to prevent it opening.

I cannot think of one that has a magnetic sump plug in it Pontius