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VSKYLABS Maule M-7-235B - POH - General & Setup

 VSKYLABS Maule M-7-235B Pilot’s Operating Handbook

FOR INFORMATION ONLY - FLIGHT SIMULATION USE ONLY DO NOT USE FOR REAL FLIGHT



VSKYLABS Maule M-7-235B
MANUAL / POH

GENERAL & SETUP


The VSKYLABS Maule M-7-235B

For use with X-Plane 12 flight simulator


Advanced simulation of the Maule M-7-235 aircraft

The development of the VSKYLABS Maule M-7-235B project for X-Plane flight simulator was approved by Maule Air, Inc. However, it is an independent VSKYLABS project which is not related, affiliated and/or endorsed by/with Maule Air, Inc.


ALL AIRCRAFT DATA, FACTS, FIGURES, PROCEDURES AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT REFERS TO THE *Simulated* VSKYLABS MAULE AIRCRAFT. IT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR REAL-WORLD FLYING.


FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION AND DATA REGARDING THE REAL-WORLD MAULE AIRCRAFT, PLEASE CONTACT MAULE AIRCRAFT INC. OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE: https://mauleairinc.com/

VSKYLABS Aerospace Simulations / Copyright Ⓒ2026 JetManHuss - VSKYLABS. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the following address: contact@vskylabs.com

GENERAL INFORMATION


This is a complementary instruction and Pilot’s Operating Handbook guide for the VSKYLABS Maule M-7-235B Project for X-Plane 12.


Warning - For use with flight simulation only:

This Manual is not replacing in any way the real Maule aircraft manual. However, it is presented here as the instruction manual of the VSKYLABS Maule M-7-235B virtual simulation model and should NEVER be used as a reference for real flight operations.


The real Maule M-7-235B vs the VSKYLABS Maule:

The VSKYLABS Maule simulation was developed to follow the real Maule M-7-235B handling and performance characteristics. It is a robust simulation model which is making use of X-Plane 12 sophisticated flight dynamics and physics simulation, extracting it to its limits. As a result, the VSKYLABS Maule aircraft simulation is demonstrating highly accurate and authentic flight dynamics characteristics. However, the VSKYLABS Maule aircraft simulation model is being constructed within the X-Plane’s limitations and flight dynamics, as well as systems algorithms may differ from the real Maule M-7-235B in certain aspects.


Simulated systems:

The VSKYLABS Maule aircraft is making use of X-Plane 12 latest native features, systems and physics, with no additional/external enhancements. This is assuring a high airworthiness condition in X-Plane, throughout its update process. As a result, systems on board are restricted to X-Plane’s default systems algorithms.

X-PLANE SETUP NOTES


Water operations:
The Maule M-7-235B seaplane is an amphibious aircraft, designed to operate from land and water. Pay attention to the water bodies condition in X-Plane and set the desired wave height.

Joystick sensitivity curves:
Depending on the specific Joystick hardware configuration and brand, in some Joysticks, the aircraft may feel too sensitive in one of more control axes (for example, in the pitch axis, especially during takeoff and landing). If this is the case, then it is recommended to set a response curve for the desired axis, to fit best to your Joystick. This can be done in X-Plane settings, Joystick tab. You can either set the general control sensitivity, or to create a dedicated response curve for each axis.

DESIGNED FOR VR


The leading VSKYLABS projects are designed with a functional VR "layer", flown extensively in VR during development, and they are ready for VR usage. That is including the use of a 3D headset, and the touch controllers. The VR "layer" allows you to fly and operate the aircraft solely by the VR gear (excluding rudder control, which is not defined yet with available/easy to implement VR solutions).

VR-Users: The current X-Plane VR manipulators concepts and features may have some of the controls to be very intuitive, while others may be less. These are being monitored by VSKYLABS through the user feedback system at the support forums, taking part in finding practical solutions for the upcoming updates.

NON-VR-Users: having a model optimized for VR meaning that it is featuring much more thorough and precise mouse manipulators. Using the knobs, switches, handles etc...is much more accurate and "tight".

Note #1: In general, in X-Plane 12 itself, Rudder control solutions for VR are currently lacking and/or missing. This particular aspect is undergoing evaluation at VSKYLABS and it will be addressed in the scheduled update for the package.

Note #2: In order to use and enjoy the VR environment in X-Plane, user hardware and system specs should meet the required specifications for OS, CPU, GPU, MB and RAM which are specified both in the given VR hardware websites and at X-Plane.com.

KEY/BUTTON ASSIGNMENTS

From version v1.5, the project includes the VSKYLABS ‘Cockpit-Builders Heaven’ layer, which allows assigning all aircraft switches, knobs, levers, and interactions in a designated, uncluttered section in the X-Plane 12 assignment screen.

To use it for key/button assignments, simply type ‘maule’ in the search bar and select your assignment. Here is a sample screenshot:

WEIGHT AND BALANCE (PAYLOAD LOADING) SETTINGS:


The VSKYLABS Maule M-7-235B aircraft is making use of X-Plane 12 built-in sophisticated weight and balance system. To set passengers, simply open the IOS window (by pressing ‘i’) and set your desired configuration in the ‘Weight, Balance & Fuel’ section. When exceeding a reasonable passenger weight - it will appear in the 3-d model. Same goes to the Baggage compartment, where adding weight will add 3-d payload (boxes).

GENERAL AIRCRAFT INTERACTIONS:


General interactions - Peripherals, Flaps, Elevator trim, Doors, Fuel tank:


General interactions - Switchable Landing Gears:

The VSKYLABS Maule M-7-235B aircraft is equipped with switchable landing gear feature, allowing it to switch between Classic and 35” Bushwheels configuration, on the fly.

The landing gears are embedded in the flight dynamics physics and will affect aircraft handling and performance.


To switch landing gear configuration:


  1. Use the ‘Speedbrakes ON/OFF’ assignment - this will allow switching the gears via a key or a button assignment.

  2. Interact with the wheels from external or internal view (with a mouse click or with touch controller interaction, when in VR).


Landing gears configuration indication:

When the 35” Alaskan Bushwheels are installed, a steel placard will show up on the front panel, indicating that the aircraft is equipped with the 35” bushwheels. When the placard is missing - it means that the classic wheels are installed.



General interactions - Radios, Engine controls, Fuel panel, Brakes:



General interactions - Water rudder interaction/operation:


General interactions - Landing gears system (floatplane):

COMPLEMENTARY SYSTEMS - AOA INDICATOR



The VSKYLABS Maule M-7-235B includes an additional virtual AOA (Angle of Attack) avionics upgrade, based on the 'Alpha Systems AOA' Eagle AOA kit.


Development notice:

Development of the VSKYLABS replica-virtual AOA indicators following the 'Alpha Systems AOA' design was approved by 'Alpha Systems AOA', however it is an independent development effort, which is not affiliated with 'Alpha Systems AOA'.


For thorough information you are welcome to visit their website at: https://www.alphasystemsaoa.com/


AOA indicator features:

The Eagle AOA kit is a highly visible, full color chevron style display. When you come in for a landing you want to fly to the blue donut (on speed for landing). Should you come in with too low of an angle of attack, the yellow chevron will light up and tell you to put your nose up. Should you come in with too high of an angle of attack, the red chevron will light up and tell you nose down.


Real-world Eagle vs VSKYLABS Eagle indicator:

The VSKYLABS implementation of the Alpha Systems AOA 'Eagle' replica is focused at this stage in AOA indication. It does NOT include the peripheral/complementary systems and options such as calibration, diagnostics, optional aural alerts and other components. The included AOA indicator was calibrated 'in-house' at VSKYLABS, as part of the overall tuneups of the flight dynamics model.


Angle of attack indicator - additional info:

The following brief instructions of the VSKYLABS 'Eagle' replica is brought here for use with the virtual VSKYLABS aircraft, in X-Plane. Although the indication methodology, color and shape replicates the real-world device, it is not meant to be used as a tutorial that replaces the actual Alpha Systems AOA 'Eagle' operations manual. For real-world instructions please visit Alpha Systems AOA website: https://www.alphasystemsaoa.com/


The Indicator:

Note: Display shown with all segments illuminated for illustration.



Green Bar: It is indicating high amounts of lift, lower angle of attack. The angle of attack is relatively low with lots of surplus lift.


Green Bar + Yellow Triangle: Va (MAA), operations allowing full deflection of flight controls.


Yellow Colored Segments: It is indicating caution; the angle of attack is relatively high. If not intentional, take action to reduce the angle of attack.


Complete Blue Doughnut: It is defining the segment that identifies Optimum Alpha Angle (OAA) or 1.3Vs, 30% margin away from stall (see definition). The system can illuminate both, just the top or just the bottom arcs to give a display just above or just below the set point.


Red Colored Segments means the angle of attack is too high. Take immediate action to reduce the angle of attack such as performing a stall recovery procedure. You are in dire straits.