PlaneFox tracks 2 Maule M-4 aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
A Maule M-4 flies about 590 nm, roughly 1,093 km, which is about 3 h 41 min in still air at typical cruise.
A Maule M-4 costs about EUR 1,583 a month to run, or about EUR 169 for every flight hour when it is flown 150 hours a year.
The Maule M-4 is an American light utility aircraft designed by B. D. Maule and built by Maule Aircraft in Georgia. It was the company’s original production model, with first flight in the early 1960s and production generally associated with the 1963 to 1973 period before the later M-5 series took over. The M-4 is a high-wing, fabric-covered, steel-tube aircraft with strong short-field and backcountry credentials. Most examples are tailwheel aircraft, although tricycle-gear versions were also produced. Its significance is that it established the practical Maule formula: simple construction, good load-carrying ability for its size, and useful access to short, unimproved strips.
Performance depends heavily on engine, propeller, gear configuration, tires, rigging and modifications. Typical cruise speeds for the Maule M-4 are commonly in the 110 to 130 knot range, with lower speeds expected on large tires or float-equipped aircraft. Range is often around 500 nautical miles in standard touring use, subject to fuel capacity and power setting. Useful load varies by variant and equipment, but many aircraft fall roughly around 900 to 1,100 lb. Service ceiling also varies, with higher-powered versions generally published in the mid-teens to around 20,000 feet. Powerplants fitted to the M-4 family included the Continental O-300 in 145 hp form, Lycoming O-360 installations around 180 hp, Continental IO-360 installations around 210 hp, and Franklin 220 hp installations on some variants.
The M-4 cabin is compact and utilitarian, normally arranged for four seats, with some aircraft equipped or approved for a small fifth seat depending on configuration. Visibility is good for a high-wing taildragger, and the cabin is best understood as a working utility space rather than a modern touring interior. Factory-era avionics were conventional analog instruments and basic radio navigation. Buyers should not expect Garmin Perspective, G1000 or other integrated glass-panel systems in original aircraft. Common upgrades include Garmin G5 or GI 275 electronic instruments, modern com and navcom radios, panel-mounted GPS units, transponders with ADS-B Out, engine monitors and upgraded audio panels.
Used Maule M-4 aircraft appeal to buyers who value short-field utility, simple systems and lower acquisition cost than many newer backcountry types. Pre-purchase focus should include fabric age and condition, steel-tube corrosion, landing gear alignment, tailwheel components, wing struts, fuel system condition, logbook continuity and engine-specific parts support. Variants and upgrades can materially affect value, especially higher-horsepower engines, constant-speed propellers, float fittings, skis, vortex generators, larger tires, shoulder harnesses and modern avionics. In the used market, the M-4 usually sits as an earlier, lighter and more compact alternative to later Maule M-5, M-6, M-7 and MX series aircraft.