Single-seat 234.72 TTAF, 677.07 TTE on 65 HP Continental A65-8, McCauley CM 7146 metal prop, 26’ wingspan, 18’ length, 8’ tall, takeoff distance about 600’, landing about 500’, climb about 500 to 700  fpm, differential hydraulic heel brakes w/parking brake, VFR instruments, heater, 12 gallon fuel forward, 6.5 gallons in aft auxiliary tank, 80-90 mph cruise, and range 300 miles, LSA category, always hangered, located South County (E16), San Martin, CA $8,500  

-Stephen (408) 858-6700

This is a well-designed, well-built aircraft.  It is docile, dependable and economical to operate (3.5-4 gph on 100LL).  It has very mild stall characteristics, and has excellent cross wind ability.  It had been in storage for many years before my purchase in August of 2007.  At that time TTAF was around 69 hours, including about 510 original hours on the A65-8 Continental engine that came off the assembly line in August of 1947!  The engine had been in two previous aircraft (from the original engine log!), but their history is unknown.  The engine log does note a “sudden stoppage of the propeller” in 1957 at 158 hours.  Being a bit skeptical of little-used mechanicals, I remained within glide distance of the runway for several hours.  The original engine log is with the aircraft.  It is currently flying and is in annual (January 31, 2010).

During the late fall of 2007 the engine came up with an occasional loss of power.  I had Magnum Aviation (E16 FBO) rebuild the carburetor, install a new gascolator, and a new fuel selector valve and the problems were solved.  I added a new battery and installed a quick-drain valve under the oil pan, and have changed the oil every 20 hours.

The Maule tailwheel has been rebuilt (2008, by Magnum).  The tailwheel tire and tube and both main tires and tubes are brand new July 2010.  The spark plugs have been replaced and new valve cover gaskets have been installed in July 2010 as well.  The covering is Ceconite and it is in pretty good shape, considering construction was begun sometime in the 1970s.  There is a bit of “hanger rash” here and there.  It has no radio, but there is an installed antenna.  I used an Icom A26 handheld with good results.  The Icom goes with the aircraft if you’d like.  It has a wall charger, desktop charger, two now rather elderly Nicad batteries, and two PTTs, neither of which seem to work all that well.

On Sunday, May 23, 2010, a differential compression check, Stuart Smith Sport,

N730ST, S/N 001, Continental A65-8, S/N 4632768:

    Cylinder    Leak-down/Compression

    1        72/80

    2        76/80

    3        74/80

    4        70/80

All air leaked out oil breather tube; no detected leakage out of intake or exhaust.

If it’s so great, why is it for sale?  My new Jabiru can handle the sun, so it’s out on the ramp, while N730ST stays in the hanger until sold…