[Normy]

Boy oh boy man....all I can say is that you should follow the FAR's-

Exhaust leaks on light aircraft are VERY dangerous! Carbon monoxide is always an issue, since the engine is in front and the exhaust pipes usually end in front of the cabin, unlike an automobile. But the real problem has to do with fires. Every year you hear about light aircraft having smoke in the cockpit and often times it is because part of the exhaust system came apart and super-heated exhaust gas starts the rubber on the hoses or wires under the cowling on fire. If your Porsche catches fire while you are driving, you just stomp the brakes, pull over, and get out with your fire extinguisher and try to put it out. That takes a few seconds. It doesn't take a few seconds to land your Maule- it takes minutes, and in that time some very un-good things can happen.

I can't emphasize this enough- repair the exhaust pipe the way it is supposed to be done. If that means constantly re-welding that joint, then so be it. That or sell the plane and buy something else.

Aviation isn't inherently dangerous- it is just very unforgiving of any carelessness or neglect....

N