Maule M-4
Maule Air · USA · first flew 1960 · light aircraft
The Maule M-4 is a four-seat, high-wing light utility aircraft known for short-field performance and rugged simplicity, the foundation of Maule's long line of STOL taildraggers.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.71 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High strut-braced wing
- Taildragger STOL utility
- Four-seat boxy cabin
Recognise it by the strut-braced high wing, tailwheel undercarriage and boxy four-seat cabin. It looks purpose-built for getting in and out of small, rough airstrips.
Specifications
- The Maule M-4 has a length of 6.71 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.4 m (31 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 235 km/h (146 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot plus 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by B.D. Maule, the M-4 first flew in 1960 and entered production as the Bee Dee M-4, offering strong short-takeoff-and-landing ability from unimproved strips. Its welded steel-tube fuselage and fabric covering kept it light and repairable.
Variants
Numerous engine and equipment options followed, with the M-4 spawning the later M-5, M-6 and M-7 families that refined the same STOL formula with more power and larger tails.
Where you'll see it
The type is used worldwide for bush flying, glider towing and utility work, with several examples on the UK register for private and club operations. Its rough-field capability suits farm strips and remote sites.
Related aircraft
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