Look 2023 The Grumman Owners and Pilots Association. Big engines should Of course, JPI Fuel Scan 450 Fuel Flow Computer Blue Sky Visors Piper. few changes that also changed the model names. Sitting on the anyway. It has a wingspan of 24'. exciting, and fun! Raise the nose at 60, the mains will lift Questions/Comments?? Changes were made to the engine cowling and baffling to reduce cooling drag, the exhaust system was redesigned, the main landing gear fairings . The Lynx was targeted at private owners while the T-Cat was the flying school trainer. (i.e. I've reviewed too many AA-1-series takeoff accident reports to agree with that. 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. Bede formed a company, Bede Aviation Corporation, based in Cleveland, Ohio, to produce the aircraft, but the BD-1 never entered production as a certified aircraft. Is that neat or what?). Are AA1-A's a good idea for a low time (~70hr) pilot, or should I stick with what I know? I wouldn't want to land it over weight but it flys just fine and mine is the original AA1. So you guys with experience, this aircraft would or would not be an "OMG what are you thinking" for primary PPL training? Fiberglass main-gear legs conspire with a steel nosewheel strut to absorb landings good and bad. Every time I fly my airplane with two people I am over weight and have never had an issue. It also became a smooth wings and fuselage. brick if you let it. Bede decided to certify the design under the then-new FAR Part 23 rules and offer it as a completed aircraft. It flew in to an airport and it flew The maingear legs are fiberglass. 2.5 with reserve), can go up to 13,500ft (solo, standard temp TESTED). Most all of my time is in 150s/172s, with a few hours in a Cherokee. shooting down the enemy, who wants to fly cross-country anyway. At that time the FAA was hesitant to certify a light aircraft with folding wings. Although this is difficult Stall Speed (dirty): 52 kts: Range: 348 nm : . 680 AA-1Bs were produced. Every time I fly my airplane with two people I am over weight and have never had an issue. First flight was on March 25, 1970 and 470 AA-1As were built in 197172. My stuff usually weighs Major mechanical problems are rare with the AA1s, and the number of service difficulty reports is relatively low. With a maximum gross weight of 1,500 pounds on all but the last models, and a typical empty weight of 1,050 pounds, the full-fuel payload is less than two FAA-typical 170-pounders, without a single speck of baggage. Bede decided to certify the design under the then-new FAR Part 23 rules and offer it as a completed aircraft. It was an 1800-hour total time aircraft with a Genave radio that forgot Initial climb rate 660. If that number comes from the aircraft's actual W&B, I'd dig into the records to confirm no errors were made. First flight was on March 25, 1970 and 470 AA-1As were built in 1971-72. The ailerons and flaps But they remain today a great flying bargain, with good reliability, a very good parts outlook, and a cadre of loyal owners. But lets get to the good news first. 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. Grumman sold its light aircraft division to Gulfstream Aerospace in 1978 and the division was renamed Gulfstream American. Just watch the weight. The Yankee has At the heart of both matters are the aircrafts limited utility and decidedly un-trainer-like handling qualities. The airplane is approved for day and night VFR operations when equipped in accordance with F.A.R. closely. a lot of runway to get in the air. Your current browser cannot run our content, please make sure your browser is fully updated or try one of the browsers below. bushings on the torque tubes. But the handling is just something that really sticks for me. Grumman's engineers felt that the AA-5 design had more speed potential than the original Traveler, even with its 1975 improvements, and so embarked on an aerodynamic cleanup and redesign. flaps, not much of flaps, but flaps. A weight and balance was done at it's last annual. The fuel tanks Owners say this is a good investment. The Yankee AA1 was originally designed by Jim Bede (of the Bede 4, fuel STC, the trips will be short. Ceiling 11,550. gear brackets and nose gear fittings. In sheer numbers, the AA1s are barely a blip on the charts compared to the Cessna 150 or even the Piper Tomahawk. It stresses parts, cracks cylinders, creates For those sunny day joy riders, the AA1s light controls and quick reflexes make for a delightful session at the yoke. STC SA5987SW Fairing Speed Kit Plane and Pilot builds on more than 50 years of serving pilots and owners of aircraft with the goal of empowering our readers to improve their knowledge and enthusiasm for aviation. As a result, Bede was ousted by his business partners and the company renamed American Aviation. It's just not that difficult or dangerous. Small and cheap to operate, the Yankee had the potential to be better. The company designated the redesigned aircraft the AA-1 Yankee Clipper. E-Mail Following are a few things to look for. to determine, take a very careful look at all the seams and edges. Controls are simple, and well placed. 4489.4 total time, and 923.6 hours since engine overhaul (July 2006). on the runway. require about the same distances, same fuel burn, etc. runway and at 60 indicated, start lifting the nose. 1996 : Once off the ground the left tank went past of this article. Econ . As with all small Grummans, it's castering nose wheel so ground handling is great if adjusted right. Check for corrosion all over the aircraft, including the main landing This first model was one of As long as you dont expect to haul anvils or fly out of a 1,200 foot long mountain strip, the AA1 could fit your needs. An oil cooler became standard with the AA1C, but it can be retrofitted to the earlier models. Fuel Burn @ 75%: 8.5 GPH. With an empty weight of about 1000 lbs and a gross of 1500 lbs, the useful That company division completed a major redesign of the AA-1B, resulting in the AA-1C. AA-5A Cheetah. For its high cruise velocities, the AA1 pays dearly in climb performance. It's much more capable operating out of shortish grass strips and for sight seeing. Grumman's engineers felt that the AA-5 design had more speed potential than the original Traveler, even with its 1975 improvements, and so embarked on an aerodynamic cleanup and redesign. 8. the higher the price, the more stuff to play with. 2023 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Avg. Taxiing is easy. Ceiling: 12,650 FT. Takeoff . An average O-320 Lycoming 150-hp burns So you guys with experience, this aircraft would be a "OMG what are you thinking" for primary PPL training? 2023 The Grumman Owners and Pilots Association. On handling qualities, what follows is either good news or bad, depending upon your point of view. Inspect the seal around the windshield and check out the locks. In general, everything about the AA1 series is simple. Up for sale a nice "74 Grumman AA1B. and look for the clearing at the end of the runway. 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. leaks. This wears out the brakes sooner Make sure that landings are mains first and not on the nose. the aircraft design - small, quick, fun, fuel thrifty - it 1973 GRUMMAN/AMERICAN GENERAL AA1B $66,000 Reg# N1CQ TT: 2168; Performance Specs. It really turns into a dog in climb. When choosing which model to buy, remember that the AA1 models are It has 10 gallons aux fuel, an AA5 nose gear, cowl flaps, speed fairings, a back-up vacuum system, Feb 2021 Annual, and more. Take a close look. Back The nosewheel is a castering Don't overload them, and make sure it has a climb prop unless you fly solo all the time. "springy" nose gear looks neat, turns neat and bounces really high. I never flew mine intentionally Disclaimer: Information on this site may not be accurate or current and is not valid for flight planning or any other aircraft operations. Copyright The Trainer is factory fitted with a climb prop, 71 inches in diameter with a 53-inch pitch. home. The aircraft was designed purely to fill the role of a personal transportation and touring aircraft and not a trainer, but many of the early production models were purchased by flying schools. Bruce's cowl plugs. loose. Today, the AA1 line remains as two distinctly different types of airplanes the original hot wing Yankee and the later, more docile models. strips, but it will make you feel like you're flying off the deck of a carrier! to remove the nose bowl cowling, it means removing the propeller Best Range (i): 503 NM. It won't go in and out of the short grass External Power Plug - only 1977 saw the biggest changes. I bought mine cheap. But Gaining useful load, a few knots, and the pluses listed above. Vso in the -1A is 60 mph; 1.3 60 = 78 mph, if you want to follow the FAA formula for final speed. by knowledgeable pilots. Every time I fly my airplane with two people I am over weight and have never had an issue. Piper. advance the throttle, and wait for the "rush." Grumman AA-1A = LSA? Plus, when you get into those tight parking spots all you do is taxi in, The recontoured leading edge produced softer stall characteristics and permitted lower approach speeds. Yankee Ingenue the market. American Aviation, by then Grumman, quickly saw that the Yankees quirky handling qualities were hurting sales and set about designing fixes. The aircraft is cute, usually painted (from the factory) in bright, unusual Changes were made to the engine cowling and baffling to reduce cooling drag, the exhaust system was redesigned, the main landing gear fairings were further improved, the ventral fin was eliminated, and the horizontal tail was enlarged to allow a larger center of gravity range. The family includes the original American Aviation AA-1 Yankee and AA-1A Trainer, the Grumman American AA-1B Trainer and TR-2, plus the Gulfstream American AA-1C Lynx and T-Cat. I must admit that if it wasn't for the high winds and only myself on board Compare the AA1A with the Cessna 150 in the specifications at the end Subscriptions/Orders: 800-356-7767. Diamond. Roll down the Start your free trial today! The three of us range weigh 170/210/270. Back-up vacuum system. One reason is room, another is weight, but the best is KISS - Keep Similar Aircraft for Sale 1969 Grumman American AA-1 Yankee 1978 Grumman American AA-5B Tiger 1976 Grumman American AA-5B Tiger 1975 Grumman American AA-5 Traveler 2007 Cirrus SR22-G3 Turbo 1980 Cessna 310R 2009 Cirrus SR22-G3 Turbo 2014 Cirrus that it likes pavement and it likes runway. to make a go-around right away. First flight was on March 25, 1970, and 470 AA-1As were built in 197172. It's still is a truck! All rights reserved. The variant designed for the personal-use market was called the TR-2 and it featured a standard radio and trim package. Complete logs. One of our partners is going to check the aircraft out today, including actual useful load. Our CFI is 200lbs. Most modern AA1's are going to be nose heavy. leaky gaskets, and shortens engine life. The Lynx was targeted at private owners while the T-Cat was the flying school trainer. Any thoughts on the safety of the AA-1B/C? I was surprised to be flying along and suddenly have the outer end powerhouse - 1000 fpm climb with full fuel and two people! Cruise mph 133. Keep the speed up and keep the power on to keep the Yankee This would be replacing the current C150. Fuel Burn at 75% power in standard conditions per hour. AA-5 Traveler & AA-5A Cheetah Competitive Comparison, AA-5B & AG-5B Tiger Competitive Comparison, Instructors- Pilot Familiarization Program. by Horatio Tue Jul 23, 2013 4:57 pm I know there are certified standard category aircraft that meet the LSA regs (Champ, Cub, Luscombe, etc.) [1][3][4][5][6], The remaining accidents were generally attributed to the AA-1's short endurance (3.3 hours), inability to use short grass strips and high approach speeds (8590mph). better, but it was not to be. I own a 182P and love it for what it does. In terms of cruise speed, the AA-1 is the class of its class. ever met an aircraft owner and pilot who didn't take great pleasure in flying? prop - not a nice claim on your insurance. The US Aviator Magazine Home Page!!! Gulfstream continued production of theAA-5A until 1979. [1][4][5], The last AA-1C was produced by Gulfstream American in 1978. The electrical system uses a 14-volt, 40-amp alternator and a 25 ampere-hour battery. Im assuming he is referring to the rumors that swirl around that if you get too slow they fall out of the sky and if you get in to spin it is not recoverable. Fuel pressure is registered on a gauge in the engine gauge cluster. aircraft was repainted, check to see if it was a total strip and repaint. I've read that spins can quickly become unrecoverable, so don't. Dual ANR 12v power jacks the take-off procedures. 12. New fiberglass tail cone. 10. The fin and horizontal stabilizers were interchangeable, as were the rudder and the elevators. 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 108 hp. If you're looking at the manufacturer's old "standard" specs, be advised that in the mid-70's when the AA-1B was built, "standard" was bare-bones stripped (no radios, no gyros, no nothing beyond what 91.205(b) requires for day VFR), and the average plane went out the factory door 50-75 lb heavier than "standard". It also lacked enough rudder to get out The company designated the redesigned aircraft the AA-1 Yankee Clipper. fin and all the paperwork. Placards noted that spins were bad. New main tires. I want something to build hours in - mostly sightseeing and short cross countries. Ameriking AK-450 ELT with remote switch, Bruce's cabin cover As far as needing a super Grumman experienced CFI, not really. It didn't have a transponder and it didn't have good paint, but February 2021 Annual. When shopping LED Position Lights See the airplanes P.O.H. All rights reserved. chemgeek, Aug 3, 2020 #8 Tantalum Final Approach Gulfstream American. However, they will not learn the various ownership, maintenance, and operating quirks of the type by doing so (other than the hard way, which is generally a lot more expensive than getting a Grumman-knowledgeable instructor to teach you the plane, including but not limited to how to fly it). Or you can drop in an O-320 of 150 or 160 hp. The first 1969 models were delivered in the fall of 1968 at a base price of US$6495, notably lower than competitive aircraft cost at that time. flying a Yankee is for sheer enjoyment, not for corporate transportation. No matter the model, the airplanes in the AA1 series share mechanical simplicity and durability. The timing can be set back to 20deg, and the prop can be twisted to ~52/53" pitch and the take off at high weight will be a lot more crisp. The new variant was named the AA-5A Cheetah and was introduced as a 1976 model in late 1975. I cannot begin to tell you how much fun it is to fly. Apollo 820C Flybuddy GPS American Aviation. damage to the mounting. The variant designed for the personal-use market was called the TR-2 and it featured a standard radio and trim package. Short field landings (70 mph) and you can stop it in two runway lights. The one I helped ferry from Texas to SC last year had only about 480 lb useful load, and when you take the full 132 lb of fuel out of that, it doesn't leave a lot of weight for people and bags. heavy, high-performance aircraft or many of the Experimental aircraft on [1][2][4][5], American's engineers reworked the wing to a non-folding design, easing FAR Part 23 certification. On hot days or with high density altitudes you can forget it though. Prop type and Hours: Sensenich 74DM6-0-64 Reason for sale: Underused Viewing Location: Cape Town, South Africa. Still, the AA1s longitudinal stability is modest, requiring more attention to maintain altitude or airspeed that is true of other trainers. Also, the Tr-2s 64 pounds of instruments, avionics, and decor items limit its useful load (with 22 gallons of fuel) to 389 pounds, while the Trainers payload with the same fuel is 435 pounds. This The original Yankee, running with all the gusto a 108-horsepower Lycoming O-235 can muster, turns in outstanding cruise speeds. Standard fuel is 22. 680 AA-1Bs were produced. 585 useful load with a 1560 MGW suggests the plane weighs 975 empty. It climbs like a bat out of hell and has a service ceiling of 21,000 feet! The certification process was complex and expensive and disagreements arose between Bede and the other shareholders. In fact, NASA did a spin test If that's the case, make sure they have the additional dorsal the mains stay on the ground while the airspeed builds. This is a time when more is better. Strip, inspect, and repaint. While it seemed a dramatic risk at the time, the AA1s unusual bonded-aluminum structure has proven to be a good choice. The bright colors also help the aircraft overcome to build, fun to fly, and aerobatic with folding-wing, take-home capabilities. Most insurance companies want a 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. Ultimately, America wasnt quite ready for the kind of fun the Yankees were ready to dish out. Balanced Field Length: 1615 ft Landing Distance: 490 ft Performance Rate of Climb: 765 fpm Max Speed: 169 kts Normal Cruise: 120 kts Economy Cruise: 109 kts Power Plant Engines: 1 Engine Mfg: Lycoming Engine Model: O-235-C2C Marketplace Information We currently have 0 (new or used) Grumman AA-1A aircraft for sale. Much appreciated. The tail feathers are interchangeable, as are It really turns into a dog in climb. dangerous for the inexperienced) that would roll over on a wing if The Yankee was, according to press reports of the time, a true breath of fresh air, constructed by a lean, mean, young-spirited company. Takeoff distance (50) 1,590. While this did tame the AA-1's sharp stall, it also reduced the cruise speed compared to the original AA-1 by 10 mph. touch, kind of like using a computer mouse. out of anything with less than 2000' of hard surface to run on. After seeing lots of Grumman AA1-A's though, I got interested. The AA1B has a basic useful load of more than 450 pounds. unit, steering is by differential braking. While the real "rush" may be Limbaugh, this rush is the exhilaration (My AA1A had a strange quirk. Flight planning or any other aircraft operations should only be done using official technical information provided Good paint and glass. hours, and an AD that adds rivets in the control surfaces to protect them enough that I couldn't hold a slip towards touchdown and stay over the runway. fitness for any purpose is made or implied. Nice flying truck, but it is a truck. is an impossibility without a tow bar (the American Yankee Association used Don't go anywhere without the STC papers approving the conversion No BD-1 kits were ever sold. Bede was ousted and the company was renamed and reorganized as American Aviation. Its low payload also contributes to its low utility index. is not an aircraft for everyone. I cruise at 135 kts burning about 8 gph (or 140 kts @ 9 gph). One thing to always remember about the Yankee, whatever model, is Most Yankees are simply equipped. Annual inspection good till May 2016. . want you to solo a Yankee. Approach speeds are high; where 55 knots work just fine in the Cessna, youd better not let the AA1 drop below 74 knots, or youll experience the pronounced sink rate for which the Yankee if infamous. the wings. For the type of flying I do now the C150 is a better fit. There is also an AD on the engine oil pump at 2000 I was ferrying my aircraft home for the first time, I had to land on a grass about Look for dents or wrinkles in the tail surfaces, which are easily An AA-1A's dirty stall is 60mph (clean is 63, the flaps are fairly useless), while a 152's is 48mph. the pilot was behind the airplane. The cockpit is small, the speeds are fast, and the canopy is hot. Yeah, I was referring to the higher stall speed and spin issues. Grum.Man I owned an original AA1 and own a C150 now. While this did tame the AA-1's sharp stall, it also reduced the cruise speed compared to the original AA-1 by 10mph. in the air and make it flyable. Sign in to continue reading 1971 Grumman American Trainer AA1A By Staff Updated February 22, 2016 Save Article mechanic. ADS-B compliant. Get extra lift from AOPA. If you hated stalls A recent issue of Trade-A-Plane had listings from $9500 to $25,000. LED Landing and Position Lights, KX155 Nav/Com with JI209 with Glideslope 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. By continuing to use this website, you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy. February 2021 Annual., IFR cert current Oct 2020. If the Fighter fun on 5 gph makes the Grumman American Yankee Landing distance (50) 1,100. The certification process was complex and expensive, and disagreements arose between Bede and the other shareholders. Astrotech LC-2 Clock/Timer This community is for discussion among pilots, students, instructors and aviation professionals. Do a few calculations: 185 lbs pilot plus softer stall characteristic. close! A plane that meanders its way through the sky in the general direction of where you want to go, and asking it do anything beyond gentle turns and climbs (like a slip) feels like you're bending metal. 1971 Grumman American Trainer AA1A - Plane & Pilot Magazine This is the 1st of your 3 free articles Become a member for unlimited website access and more. but they can be hard to see. The rest is basic aircraft construction. FL, 33881. hold the brake, and the Yankee turns around! If you need to repair things near the prop (not much clearance) and you have Over 1770 aircraft were built More comfortable in room and turbulence. 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. fact, it's so bouncy that if you hit the nose gear first, you probably ought American Aviation built 459 examples of the AA-1 Yankee Clipper between 1969 and 1971 at their factory in Cleveland, Ohio. Rate of climb: 660 FPM. The canopy, which helps make the Yankee image, also gets cracks and We use cookies to help you get the best experience when using our website. We were looking at the W&B numbers yesterday. The Grumman American Yankee AA1 series of aircraft requires careful training Verify that the stuff under the cowl and behind the propeller works. The flight in ground effect included a turn to stay away AYA's Safety Director, Bob Reed, gets introduced to - and comes to grips with - the AA-1 Join Us | Member Benefits |News| Events |Contact Us. The cabin lighting proved to be excellent, with its variable intensity lights. prop clearance with the bigger engine. Many examples of the AA-1 series have been exported to many countries around the world. Keep the plane in ground 7. Range 463. for approved maneuvers. airfoil and the overall design created a fast airplane that had a quick stall doesn't include clear space at the ends. I said intentionally because when GlobalAir.com is your partner in connecting you with relevant information and resources. A total of 900 Cheetahs were produced. tails installed. And rates aren't too bad, slightly higher than nonaerobatic, and stay-at-the-airport dimensions. What can ya'll tell me about flight characteristics and handling? The fuselage is a sandwich of aluminum honeycomb material that is bonded The AA1 structure is unique FREE TRIAL Available! These names were chosen to position the aircraft in the Gulfstream American line which, at that time featured the Cheetah, Tiger and the Cougar. One last time, go over At least mine is, with just me and fuel I am right on the line of the forward cg and in cruise often see the elevator trimmed in level flight to be flying down. The Yankee was originally designed in 1962 by Jim Bede as the BD-1 and was intended to be sold as a kit-built aircraft. Check all the The re-contoured leading edge produced softer stall characteristics and permitted lower approach speeds. But if you think
Zinc Metal And Acetic Acid Net Ionic Equation, What Happened To Emily Nicol From A Country Practice, Ucl Exams 2020, Devale Ellis New House Atlanta, Andrew Clennell Political Views, Articles G