Can the Mx7-180B do this?

[JAM00]

Hello all
-I am new to this forum-and in need of Maule advise!

I am looking to purchase a Mx7-180B for the following mission:
I will be primarily operating out of a 7600ft field elevation 8k+ length paved strip- I want to be able to stop in the back country strips for camping with my family, utilize unprepared surfaces, fly the sight seeing flights around the Rocky Mountains, be able to operate at field elevations of 10k at max gross- with the occasional cross country trips(3 hour plus reserve)
Now the limiting factors:
I am 6'3 280lbs
Wife 5'10 160lbs
2 kids- planning on 100lbs each to allow future growth- 200lbs total
100lbs of gear-

Will this work with weight and balance?
How will it preform at high altitude?
Is this the right aircraft for the mission?
Is there a better model for this mission?

Your opinions are appreciated!

[MauleMechanic]

Hello all
-I am new to this forum-and in need of Maule advise!

I am looking to purchase a Mx7-180B for the following mission:
I will be primarily operating out of a 7600ft field elevation 8k+ length paved strip- I want to be able to stop in the back country strips for camping with my family, utilize unprepared surfaces, fly the sight seeing flights around the Rocky Mountains, be able to operate at field elevations of 10k at max gross- with the occasional cross country trips(3 hour plus reserve)
Now the limiting factors:
I am 6'3 280lbs
Wife 5'10 160lbs
2 kids- planning on 100lbs each to allow future growth- 200lbs total
100lbs of gear-

Will this work with weight and balance?
How will it preform at high altitude?
Is this the right aircraft for the mission?
Is there a better model for this mission?

Your opinions are appreciated!

Will it work? Yes.

If me and my wife, kids and gross weight at 10,000ft? NOPE, not with that precious cargo!

[MauleMechanic]

http://www.iaopa.eu/static/CKFinderJava ... p22-27.pdf

[Andy Young]

To haul that kind of load at those altitudes, I think you'll really want the 235hp (or 260, if you have the coin).

Of course, that is a bit heavier, limiting the load somewhat...
That said, the 235 has a more forward empty CG, making it easier to carry the load within the allowable CG envelope.

I ran the numbers you gave on my M-6-235 (the M-6 actually has the same fuselage as the MX-7, unless I've misunderstood something). With that load in mine, I would be limited to 32 gallons of fuel, and the CG would be at 18.6 inches. The allowable range is 15.5 to 20.5, so it's very comfortably in there.

I do fly mine at gross fairly often, at high altitudes, but I would not want to do it with less power than I have.

Where in the Rockies are you? If you are close to me (I'm in Boulder, Colorado) you're welcome to come on by, and we can load up my plane similarly and I can show you how it flies.

Andy

[JAM00]

Wow-
Andy-Thank you for your gracious offer!
And thank you all for the valuable information!
I am out of Pagosa Springs- so not that far!
I would defiantly like to stay in touch! And perhaps we can get together and do this.

[TomD]

I have seen this formula so lets use it to assume:

HP Loss = (elevation x 0.03 x horsepower @ sea level)/1000

If you plug in your elevation assuming no density altitude increase ( not likely) it looks like this:

HP- (8000 x 0.03 x 180)/1000 = 180hp - 43.2 = 136.8hp

Let's just for the hell of it say you have a density altitude of 10k which would not be an unreasonable day at your airport:

HP - (10000 x .03 x 180)/1000 = 180 - 54 = 126hp

Now I don't think this little equation takes the loss of propeller thrust or wing lift into account.

At an 8k altitude airport there is no substitute for horsepower.

A normally aspirated 235hp would leave you with 164.5 hp at 10k altitude.

I make no claims to the accuracy of this formula or calculations.

I use my handy old T.O.P. Comp calculator which takes in a number of factors to get an idea of performance at a particular field.

TD

[Mountain Doctor]

I would suggest a Turbo 206 or Turbo 182.

High, hot, heavy. Rooms for all. Semi-STOL out of the box and Robertson can make it a genuine STOL.

Or 2 Maules and have your wife get a pilot's certificate.

[MauleMechanic]

I would suggest a Turbo 206 or Turbo 182.

High, hot, heavy. Rooms for all. Semi-STOL out of the box and Robertson can make it a genuine STOL.

Or 2 Maules and have your wife get a pilot's certificate.

There is the 420

[Scott]

I took a cross country in my MX7-180A from KBLI to Moab UT then to Durango CO last summer and the density alt was reported 10800 with the outside air temp around 96 deg, I was concerned about performance but with full fuel, 42gal, my wife, dog, luggage for the week and myself it did great. a little bit longer ground roll and climb out was slow ( about 200-400 FPM max) I was impressed. It even handled high 25 gusty x-wind landings on the stops along the way. I would do it again. Enjoy and be safe,,,,

[Mountain Doctor]

I would suggest a Turbo 206 or Turbo 182.

High, hot, heavy. Rooms for all. Semi-STOL out of the box and Robertson can make it a genuine STOL.

Or 2 Maules and have your wife get a pilot's certificate.

There is the 420

Good thought! Add amphibs and you're good to go!