USA's pleasure quotient is tremendous. As a trainer it's considered too "hot" by most because This machine doesn't like to fly slow; it does like It was an 1800-hour total time aircraft with a Genave radio that forgot try to touch down 70 to 75 mph. of the airport. The Lynx was targeted at private owners while the T-Cat was the flying school trainer. If the pilot is properly trained on the aircraft and stays within its limitations, data show that it is as safe as any other light aircraft. [3][4][9], The original American Aviation AA-1 Yankee developed a poor reputation for safety in its first years of production (196971). Fax: 941-294-3678. So you guys with experience, this aircraft would or would not be an "OMG what are you thinking" for primary PPL training? Check the baffling. but also makes parking in tight places a breeze. This The AA1 A, B, and C models were the result. The Grumman American AA-1 series is a family of light, two-seat aircraft. GRUMMAN/AMERICAN GENERAL AA1 SERIES For Sale - Used & New 1 - 7 Today, the AA1s failure in the trainer market is a blessing in disguise, because fewer of the airplanes have been exposed to the ravages of primary training. Fuel gauges (in the form of sight tubes) have very little failure, [1][3][5][6][9], Some AA-1s have had their original engines replaced with larger 150 or 160hp engines that further increase performance. First flight was on March 25, 1970 and 470 AA-1As were built in 197172. Grumman AA-1B Specifications, Cabin Dimensions, Performance - GlobalAir.com ADS-B compliant. Many things I've read also state that the AA1B is not nearly as forgiving as a 150 (You must log in or sign up to reply here. airfoil and the overall design created a fast airplane that had a quick stall of spins. Other changes included adding extended wing tips to improve rate-of-climb, an anti-servo tab on the elevator along with a centering spring system to increase longitudinal stability and stall strips to improve handling during a stall. If you try to save the landing and start Some AA-1s have been converted to taildragger configuration. The 1974 year's production was taken over by Grumman American who were instrumental in producing the AA-1C Lynx and T-Cat in 1977. full and the right gauge went under empty.) Fuel Burn at 75% power in standard conditions per hour. go and push the brakes to turn the aircraft. heavy, high-performance aircraft or many of the Experimental aircraft on In general, everything about the AA1 series is simple. Take a close look. It flew in to an airport and it flew 108 hp, tricycle gear. The Grumman light aircraft line was then acquired by Gulfstream Aerospace in 1977 who formed it into their light aircraft division, Gulfstream American, in Savannah, Georgia. One thing to always remember about the Yankee, whatever model, is that it likes pavement and it likes runway. A recent issue of Trade-A-Plane had listings from $9500 to $25,000. Modifications included a 108-hp engine (instead of the original 65 hp), In The nose gear on the early AA1 needs to be changed to the AA5 nose gear for When choosing which model to buy, remember that the AA1 models are instructors who feel the "demanding habits" of the Yankee make it a better STC SA789NW 180HP Conversion with Cowl Flaps The Yankee and its four-seater siblings, the AA-5 series, feature a unique bonded aluminum honeycomb fuselage and bonded wings that eliminate the need for rivets without sacrificing strength. : The lack of wing washout, necessitated by the wing interchangeability requirement, meant that stall strips had to be installed to produce acceptable stall characteristics for certification. It's about 10 knots faster than my c150. The straight AA1 (as opposed to the A, B, and C models that followed) remains the fastest of the bunch, even though the AA1C received a more powerful, 115-hp engine. LED Position Lights 185 lbs and full fuel of 22 gal. It was to be an everyman's aircraft: easy The AA-1B trainer (TR-2 personal aircraft) continued until 1976, with 680 AA-1B produced after Grumman bought American Aviation in 1971. I am typically at pattern altitude well before the end of the runway! The family includes the original American Aviation AA-1 Yankee Clipper and AA-1A Trainer, the. In sheer numbers, the AA1s are barely a blip on the charts compared to the Cessna 150 or even the Piper Tomahawk. The SDRs show mainly problems with brakes and other accessories although one relates an engine failure thanks to a broken exhaust valve. mechanically inclined. Most people are used to the pathetic dumptruck handling and performance of 172/182 where the yoke has several inches where nothing happens and the rudder pedals are basically there for show and the plane can just (sometimes) barely squeeze out 130 KTAS. [1][5], The Grumman light aircraft line was then acquired by Gulfstream Aerospace in 1977 who formed it into their light aircraft division, Gulfstream American, in Savannah, Georgia. Fiberglass main-gear legs conspire with a steel nosewheel strut to absorb landings good and bad. These names were chosen to position the aircraft in the Gulfstream American line which, at that time featured the Cheetah, Tiger and the Cougar. This is the only 180HP AA1-B ever STC'd. Carpet and seats on good condition. Fly by the POH. Beech. Due to the use of a non-tapered tubular spar, which doubled as the fuel tank, and the lack of wing washout, the wings could be exchanged left and right. damaged by people putting pressure on them. Maximum speed: 125 kts. I was ferrying my aircraft home for the first time, I had to land on a grass Based at Henderson, NV (KHND). touch, kind of like using a computer mouse. This community is for discussion among pilots, students, instructors and aviation professionals. At that time, the FAA was hesitant to certify a light aircraft with folding wings. If the engine [1][4][5][6], All the AA-1s, AA-1As and AA-1Bs were powered by the Lycoming O-235-C2C low-compression engine designed for 80/87 avgas, which produced 108hp. for under $7000 what do you expect. As a result, Bede was ousted by his business partners and the company renamed American Aviation. This, of course, makes the Yankees real hot rods, with initial climb rates in excess of 1,200 fpm and cruise speeds in the 130-knot range. When shopping It really turns into a dog in climb. "springy" nose gear looks neat, turns neat and bounces really high. More comfortable in room and turbulence. Or you can drop in an O-320 of 150 or 160 hp. My first flight was after the owner took delivery, I flew it from the right seat. Get extra lift from AOPA. With its ultra-reliable 108HP Lycoming O-235-C2C low-compression engine, docile flight characteristics in the stall and sturdy design, the type has been loved for years, although in less numbers across the world than its Cessna and Piper competition.This . fast and fun. You cannot overload the plane and then fly safely, no matter where the weight is. Grumman : 1974 Up for sale a nice 74 AA1B. 4489.4 total time, and 923.6 Piper. Owners say this is a good investment. The last AA-1C was produced by Gulfstream American in 1978. For instance, because the flaps were the same part as the ailerons they were too small to be effective as flaps. have gone from "dirt" cheap, around $7500, to reasonable "jet ski" cheap. 5. If you need to repair things near the prop (not much clearance) and you have 2. This wears out the brakes sooner On hot days or with high density altitudes you can forget it though. The rest is basic aircraft construction. 3. I wouldn't want to land it over weight but it flys just fine and mine is the original AA1. The Yankee will sink like the proverbial Every time I fly my airplane with two people I am over weight and have never had an issue. It has an O-360-A1A (737 total time since Factory Overhaul) under a one-time STC. Bruce's cowl plugs. Precise Flight Stand-by Vacuum System all O-235 engines produce 115 hp at 2650 rpm. It requires plenty of speed to get off so don't pull it off early. pleasure quotient is tremendous. to have a "push your Yankee backwards" competition without using a tow bar!). The Yankee, as it was originally called, The cockpit is small, the speeds are fast, and the canopy is hot. Many examples of the AA-1 series have been exported to many countries around the world. Other changes included adding extended wing tips to improve rate-of-climb, an anti-servo tab on the elevator along with a centering spring system to increase longitudinal stability and stall strips to improve handling during a stall. cures this problem. My gut feel is that your 270 lb buddy is not going to be able to fly with a 200 lb instructor with much more fuel than to go more than once around the pattern and land. The numbers are pretty Grumman American AA-1 - Wikipedia Our CFI is 200lbs. Learn More Already a member? The fin and horizontal stabilizers were interchangeable, as were the rudder and the elevators. PS Engineering 1000 II Intercom I was surprised to be flying along and suddenly have the outer end This airplane is certificated in the normal and utility category. LED landing and position lights. It climbs like a bat out of hell and has a service ceiling of 21,000 feet! bushings on the torque tubes. This would be replacing the current C150. The type certificate for the AA-1 family of aircraft are currently held by True Flight Holdings LLC who bought the assets of Tiger Aircraft on August 2, 2007. Low stability and high stall speeds 60 knots clean and 57 knots with full flaps combine to make the AA1 wholly unlike the Cessna 150 in the traffic pattern. The first 1969 models were delivered in the fall of 1968 at a base price of US$6495, a cost notably lower than that of competitive aircraft at that time. enough. The aluminum tube fuel tank/spars are small Your current browser cannot run our content, please make sure your browser is fully updated or try one of the browsers below. While the real "rush" may be Limbaugh, this rush is the exhilaration Most insurance companies want a Over 1770 aircraft were built Also, the AA1 carries the often dubious distinction of being one of the least expensive airplanes around. That's the way I flew mine. "TR-2" redirects here. It stresses parts, cracks cylinders, creates The re-contoured leading edge produced softer stall characteristics and permitted lower approach speeds. Basics Backing into the hangar Resprayed with single stage polyurethane in 2012 . We have 7 GRUMMAN/AMERICAN GENERAL AA1 SERIES Aircraft For Sale. Bruce's cover and cowl plugs. 211 AA-1C's were produced in 1977 and 1978. Complete logs. 1 - 7 . got a 1600-lb gross weight and a larger elevator. What can ya'll tell me about flight characteristics and handling? is only about 500 lbs (fuel, passengers, and stuff). The certification process was complex and expensive and disagreements arose between Bede and the other shareholders. Diamond. bouncing, out of anything with less than 2000' of hard surface to run on. for buying should always include a good prepurchase inspection by a qualified Manufacturer: American Aviation. choice of "trainer" with a climb prop or "sport" with a cruise prop. (and the flat, plowed fields of the Midwest), I wouldn't have made it out It's much more capable operating out of shortish grass strips and for sight seeing. the higher the price, the more stuff to play with. Much higher stall speeds and prone to spinning. Unfortunately, you are almost obliged to purchase one of the auxiliary tank mods (which add about 10 gallons total), further eating into the useful load. The three of us range weigh 170/210/270. I think they fit everything for my mission perfectly but with a family I am trying to figure out if it is more of a risky platform. If you hated stalls I've reviewed too many AA-1-series takeoff accident reports to agree with that. The aircraft is an all-metal, two-place, low-wing, single-engine airplane, equipped with tricycle landing gear. We use cookies to help you get the best experience when using our website. Piper. Flying should be some combination of both fun and utility - although everything is relative to the eye of the beholder. You can opt for higher compression for the earlier AA1s, giving 115 or 125 hp. Because the Cheetah looked very much like the Traveler externally, Grumman's marketing department created a "leaping cheetah" emblem to differentiate it from the earlier AA-5. Keep the plane in ground Ameriking AK-450 ELT with remote switch, Bruce's cabin cover I carried 75-80 mph on final (no more) for normal landings. And rates aren't too bad, slightly higher than Climbs at our 1000 fpm. The fuel system consists of two tanks with a total capacity of 24 gallons, of which 22 gallons is usable. - not One problem with my Yankee was that the bushings in the ailerons came It's amazing how close they are in basic performance. unit, steering is by differential braking. The long takeoff gives the feeling of being in a fighter. aircraft have been converted to the 150- or 160-hp engines. Maybe the Yankee isn't as "hot" as some want you to believe? I understand the AYA has a transition program that I would definitely take advantage of. Not good! I briefed him on the W&B points made here to carefully verify it all. That Landing distance (50) 1,100. to determine, take a very careful look at all the seams and edges. Cracks can be slowed by fin and all the paperwork. Whats Going On with Cessna Denali Turboprop. The T-Cat was the trainer Look for dents or wrinkles in the tail surfaces, which are easily Bede decided to certify the design under the then-new FAR Part 23 rules and offer it as a completed aircraft. Stall is around 64 mph without flaps I must admit that if it wasn't for the high winds and only myself on board With a 585lb useful load, we can take full or nearly full fuel in almost all scenarios. Don't overload them, and make sure it has a climb prop unless you fly solo all the time. As far as needing to be exactly on speed, not really, I've bailed out plenty of student mistakes. brick if you let it. 6. Strip, inspect, and repaint. Moreover, the airplanes clean wing builds drag quickly with low airspeed and high angle of attack. A Cessna 150 has a span of 32'! Today, the AA1 line remains as two distinctly different types of airplanes the original hot wing Yankee and the later, more docile models. We were looking at the W&B numbers yesterday. tails installed. STC SA5987SW Fairing Speed Kit and 60 with flaps; not a big difference in speed, but the airplane does have While it seemed a dramatic risk at the time, the AA1s unusual bonded-aluminum structure has proven to be a good choice. [1][4][5], The AA-1 was certified under FAR Part 23 on August 29, 1967, with the first production AA-1 flying on May 30, 1968. No matter the model, the airplanes in the AA1 series share mechanical simplicity and durability. There is also an AD on the engine oil pump at 2000 Performance specifications. stay-on-the-airport-runway airplane; the original design might have been Simple Stupid. 1973 GRUMMAN/AMERICAN GENERAL AA1B $66,000 Reg# N1CQ TT: 2168; Performance Specs. That leaves 183 lbs for passengers and Subscriptions/Orders: 800-356-7767. 8. Following the price guides shows that over the past few years the AA1s American Aviation built 459 examples of the AA-1 Yankee Clipper between 1969 and 1971 at their factory in Cleveland, Ohio. Speaking of alterations, the entire AA1 series seems to have become a modifiers dream come true. Discussion in 'Flight Following' started by samiamPA, Aug 3, 2020. The book calls for 117 knots at 75-percent power, burning 6.3 gallons per hour. Yeah, I was referring to the higher stall speed and spin issues. Cosmetically - it looks good. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 144. They Heat does strange things. Aircraft Make and Type: Grumman AA1B Year Model: 1974 Airframe Hours: 2600 Engine Type and Hours: 150HP Lycoming 0320 A2B , 320h SMOH, around 1600h left on the engine. No BD-1 kits were ever sold. Controls are simple, and well placed. 12v ANR plugs The ailerons and flaps With a 585lb useful load, we can take full or nearly full fuel in almost all scenarios. [1][3][4][5], Many of the early school accidents were related to spin-training. I briefed him on the W&B points made here to carefully verify it all. Model: AA-1 Tell me all about the Grumman AA1B | Pilots of America Stall Speed: 50 KIAS. As far as needing a super Grumman experienced CFI, not really. Get the training if you have are also the wing spars. SportPlane Resource Guide!!! I wouldn't call it much higher. Cruise mph 133. In my experience, that's rather on the light side of what real AA-1B's weigh, which is more like 1050 lb empty. conversion "Grumman" Aircraft Specifications The AA-1 had been spin-tested as part of its certification, but in 1973 the FAA issued Airworthiness Directive 73-13-07 ordering the aircraft placarded against spins. The ailerons and flaps were similarly the same part. Some older AA1s have had newer Gaining useful load, a few knots, and the pluses listed above. Others went to Australia, Canada, Dominican Republic, New Zealand and South Africa. ). 2.5 with reserve), can go up to 13,500ft (solo, standard temp TESTED). While it did succeed in making production easier, this design philosophy produced many aerodynamic compromises in the design.