Extended Gear

[BlueBird]

I'd like to upgrade the landing gear on my M5 to the extended gear from Airframe Alaska and hoping someone has more insight on this. I know it's been touched on before and people were saying it was ok to do with the gross weight modification up to 2500lb. I even called AA and they said it was a yes/no answer. The gear is STC'd for Maules with 2500 gross weight but it still says "not compatible with increased gross weight modifications". This is to prevent them being used on M7 with increased gross up to 2700 (pretty sure that's what AA told me). So even though my gross weight is within specs, legally I can't install them? AA suggested applying for a field approval at the same of filing 337, others have done it. But my mechanic says things are different in AK and he doesn't think a field approval will get signed off down here in the 48. He asked AA for a copy of paperwork stating the gear is for use in models that have a 2500 gross weight. Thinking this will cover his butt for installing under the STC. Anybody else have experience with this or know a better way to have them installed and still be compliant??

[maules.com]

I and all others I know install with the STC.

[andy]

Why won't the ABI STC cover your M5? Do you have increased gross weight beyond 2500? The STC includes M-5-180C, M-5-200, M-5-210C, M-5-210TC, M-5-220C, M-5-235C. Is your's a different model?

[iceman]

how bout the M4 210 C am I included..or do I need to get blessed with holy water....

[andy]

Here's the link to the extended gear STC approved model list on the Airframes Alaska website: http://www.airframesalaska.com/v/vspfil ... %20AML.pdf .

The M-4-210C is on the list.

[BlueBird]

It's a M-5-235C with gross increase from 2300 to 2500. It's on the list but my mechanic/IA is worried about legal problems since there's no mention of an exception for the 2500 increase. Just a "no increased mods" statement....

[snaproll]

"This approval should not be extended to other aircraft of this model series unless the installer determines that the relationship between this change and any other previously incorporated approved modifications will introduce no adverse effect upon the airworthiness of that aircraft"

Your mechanic is worried about this???? Am I missing something?

[gbarrier]

You need a new IA.

[maules.com]

M5 Maule's are built as 2500lb per type certificate from 1980/81. 0nly those from 1975 to 1981 are brought up to date with the kit.

[Andy Young]

Can't help you now, but I expect to be back in Colorado in the fall. If you haven't gotten this resolved by then, I would be happy to install and sign off your landing gear (I'm an IA).

[Hottshot]

Have him call me, we did the STC on and including the 2500# Gross wt