Maules on floats reach us from lake-country owners, from fishing and hunting operations, and from estates. Most are M-5, M-6 and M-7 series airplanes with a Lycoming O-540 or IO-540, a steel-tube fuselage, metal wings and a set of straight or amphibious floats. The type has a loyal buyer pool, and the floats themselves carry real value whether or not they are on the airplane.
What moves the number on a Maule on floats
Fuselage tubing and fabric. The Maule fuselage is steel tube under fabric, and water operation is hard on the lower longerons and the tail. Tell us when it was last recovered or inspected under the fabric. Corrosion findings change the inspection list rather than the answer.
Floats and their attach fittings. Give us the float make and model, when the compartments were last opened and inspected, and the condition of the keels, water rudders and attach fittings. Amphibious floats add a gear system with its own maintenance history.
Fresh or salt water. Saltwater operation changes the airframe inspection entirely. Freshwater aircraft that have been washed and hangared are a different proposition. Either is welcome; we need to know which.
Engine and propeller. The Lycoming six-cylinders carry recommended TBOs around 2,000 hours. Give us the SMOH, the propeller's overhaul date, and how long the airplane has sat since its last season.
Getting a Maule off the water
The cleanest path is a ferry flight by a seaplane-rated pilot to a base where the floats come off and the airplane goes on wheels or a trailer. Amphibians can often be flown to a hard runway. Where a ferry is not possible, we bring a crane and a truck to the dock or ramp. In much of the country a lakeside pickup has to happen before freeze-up or wait until spring. Every route is at our cost.
What the first call covers
What you can deduct for this aircraft
Maules on floats usually sell, so most donors deduct the gross proceeds reported on Form 1098-C, and nearly all clear $5,000, which brings in a qualified appraisal and Form 8283 Section B. If the floats are stored separately they are still part of the donation and still count toward the proceeds. Budget for the appraisal as your own expense; the IRS requires it be independent of us, so we cannot choose or pay for yours.
We sign Section B as the recipient charity, and the IRS requires your appraiser be independent of us.
Rules for aircraft gifts are in IRS Publication 526, valuation in Publication 561. Nothing here is tax advice — confirm your figures with your CPA. How the deduction works · FAA paperwork
Other models in this class
Start with the N-number
We will pull the registry record before we call you back.