Maule Aircraft has appointed Willy Ader as its authorised distributor for Germany as it pushes for certification of all its aircraft in the country. Currently, only the MX-7-160,-180A and -180B sportplanes are certificated in Germany.
Willy Ader, founder and chief executive of the distributor, has bought a MX-7-180 - which is essentially a 180B with a tricycle landing gear, rather than being a taildragger - and will use the aircraft for demonstration flights in Europe.
Ader says that he expects demand to be great for the Maule tricycle-gear range in Europe, principally among flying schools. The aircraft, which is being shipped and will arrive next month, will fly under experimental certification until supplementary type certification is granted.
The LBA, the German aviation authority, has recognised "90 per cent" of the US Federal Aviation Authority's certification, but further tests will be required to ensure the light aircraft meets European Joint Aviation Authorities noise regulations. Ader says the addition of an improved silencer has not been ruled out.
Maule Air is working on a diesel-powered version of its M-7 five-seat short take-off and landing light aircraft, which will be powered by a 170kW (230hp) SMA SR-305 engine burning Jet A kerosene (Flight International, 6-12 November, 2001). Ader predicts, that once certificated, the aircraft will sell well in Europe. He is confident the company will be able to deliver a diesel-powered variant by the end of the year.
Ader says that before the certification of the SMA variant, the Lycoming-engined types will be first priority, but the Rolls-Royce 250-B17C variants could be certificated "if there is customer demand".
Source: Flight International
