The only production four-seat or side-by-side taildragger still being built in the U.S., the Maule is a one-of-a-kind airplane. Its fans can verge on the cultish.

Vince Massimini’s 2002 M-7-235C at the 2400-foot grass Kentmorr Airpark in Maryland, where winter mud leaves about 800 usable feet. That’s no problem for his Maule.

It’s easy and forgiving to fly, they say, despite its rap as a groundlooper. It’s simple to fix, good at going slow yet capable of respectable cruise speeds. Baggage access is spectacular with up to four doors. The useful load is okay but don’t tell that to bush pilots who, according to legend, carry 1500 to 1800 pounds—about double the legal limit —and get away with it. There just aren’t any Maule accident reports in the past decade that scream "over gross." …