B.D. Maule with M-4 Jetasen |
MAULE HISTORY CONTINUED (Page 2 of 4)
The Fifties…
With the advent of television in the Fifties, B.D. decided to apply his design and engineering talents to improving TV reception in those early years. He designed and marketed special TV antennas, towers and rotator parts. One of his original TV antennas is still in use outside the Maule home in Moultrie.
B.D. also designed another product for the aviation industry; a non-destructive Fabric Tester. At the time (1955) many airplanes were still being produced with organic fabric covers which deteriorated rapidly, and which required an annual strength test. The existing test procedures required cutting out sections or punching holes in the skins of airplanes, which caused the owners considerable distress. The Maule Fabric Tester was accepted by the FAA as a viable alternate, and is still in production at Maule Air, Inc. along with the tailwheels.
1956: The legendary Maule aircraft is conceptualized…
B.D. began designing the first of the current line of Maule airplanes in 1952. He initially designed the new aircraft as a high-powered utility aircraft for aviators like himself; serious pilots who fly for the love of it. He envisioned the need for a four place "Go-Anywhere" airplane which could be used for many purposes, including bush flying in unimproved and rugged environments. Thus, the design evolved as a high wing monoplane taildragger with a welded steel tube truss fuselage, metal spar wing, STOL characteristics, and good range and speed. The first prototype was completed in 1957 and took an award at the EAA convention.
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Testing for certification of the new plane was started that same year.
The Sixties…
The years of dedicated experimentation in design and engineering that followed paid off in 1961, when Maule received the FAA Type certification for the model Bee Dee M-4, with production starting immediately. The first production model, known as the Jetasen M-4 was delivered in April 1962.
That year, the company name changed to Maule Aircraft Corporation. The fast-cruising M-4 produced there, with it’s short takeoff and landing capabilities, stability, ease of handling, float and ski options, roomy interior, and economical operation made it an almost instant success with pilots everywhere.
