The SDRs show mainly problems with brakes and other accessories although one relates an engine failure thanks to a broken exhaust valve. The new variant was named the AA-5A Cheetah and was introduced as a 1976 model in late 1975. 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. I learned to fly in mine with an instructor . A lot of people say it flies just like a Bonanza speed wise in the pattern. The main cabin structure is made up of aluminum honeycomb panels, which are both quite strong and light, mated to a glued-together monocoque empennage. Grumman American AA-1 Trainer / Grumman American Lynx / Grumman 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. Grumman American AA-1 - Wikipedia [1][5][6], The AA-1C received a new larger horizontal tail and other significant improvements, including a 115hp Lycoming O-235-L2C high-compression engine designed for 100LL fuel, which brought the cruise speed back up to that of the original 108hp Yankee. The numbers are pretty leaky gaskets, and shortens engine life. STC SA7974SW Wheel Fairings At that time the FAA was hesitant to certify a light aircraft with folding wings. Don't get behind the "power curve." We use cookies to help you get the best experience when using our website. Have a good AD search done. As far as needing to be exactly on speed, not really, I've bailed out plenty of student mistakes. that it likes pavement and it likes runway. leaks. Much appreciated. After reading about AA1-A's, it seems that they are a lot faster than a 150 without giving up useful load or endurance. American took over the production and design, trying to turn the exciting This airplane is certificated in the normal and utility category. 585 useful load with a 1560 MGW suggests the plane weighs 975 empty. ever met an aircraft owner and pilot who didn't take great pleasure in flying? If it's hot, look for more or stay home! Fuel capacity was increased from the Traveler's 37 US gallons to 52 gallons, thus increasing its range. LED landing and position lights. The main pilot transition issue for AA-1X aircraft (and the AA-5X as well) is carrying too much speed on landing approach, leading to runway overruns. 2023 The Grumman Owners and Pilots Association. but I did not realize the Yankee/Traveler was included. I understand the AYA has a transition program that I would definitely take advantage of. the higher the price, the more stuff to play with. Make sure they work, are not plugged, and that Don't overload them, and make sure it has a climb prop unless you fly solo all the time. Check the bonding of the fuselage and wings. Taxiing is easy. Also, the AA1 carries the often dubious distinction of being one of the least expensive airplanes around. Our CFI is 200lbs. Two other items because the O-235 generally is prone to lead fouling, check the condition of the spark plugs carefully, and look for high oil consumption. stay-on-the-airport-runway airplane; the original design might have been the rates for a Cessna 150. closely. The Grumman AA-1: Help me not be afraid of it. AA1s are GREAT airplanes, very simple, lots more plane compared to a Cessna 152/172, very good trainer if you're going to be stepping into a high performance high speed airplane. It's just less forgiving than the cessna, that said if you can't fly the Grumman you shouldn't be flying. the wings. Stall Speed: 50 KIAS. 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. A truly awful plane that creates sloppy pilots. I did look at the NTSB database, and it looks like most fatals over the past decade were related to fuel management, which is not unique to any airframe. Of course, Vso in the -1A is 60 mph; 1.3 60 = 78 mph, if you want to follow the FAA formula for final speed. The three of us range weigh 170/210/270. If that number comes from the aircraft's actual W&B, I'd dig into the records to confirm no errors were made. The appeal of the AA-1 to schools was obvious compared to the competition, the AA-1 was faster, cost less to purchase and maintain and, most importantly, had more student-appeal with its sliding canopy and fighter-like looks. The Yankee has an AD on the nose gear. Market Stats. American Aviation. damaged by people putting pressure on them. Scan this QR code to download the app now. In sheer numbers, the AA1s are barely a blip on the charts compared to the Cessna 150 or even the Piper Tomahawk. Most all of my time is in 150s/172s, with a few hours in a Cherokee. (and the flat, plowed fields of the Midwest), I wouldn't have made it out For its high cruise velocities, the AA1 pays dearly in climb performance. Fuel pressure is registered on a gauge in the engine gauge cluster. As a result, Bede was ousted by his business partners and the company renamed American Aviation. Window reflectors Verify that the stuff under the cowl and behind the propeller works. So lets say we have an opportunity to pick up a Grumman AA1B for great price, recently overhauled engine, fresh annual, and fine history. As far as needing a super Grumman experienced CFI, not really. Every time I fly my airplane with two people I am over weight and have never had an issue. (i.e. 1977 saw the biggest changes. One of our partners is going to check the aircraft out today, including actual useful load. Fly by the POH. ). Up for sale a nice "74 Grumman AA1B. 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. fact, it's so bouncy that if you hit the nose gear first, you probably ought If the engine We were using full throttle, 2,600 rpm, at the time, which produced 60% power at that altitude. The Lynx was targeted at private owners while the T-Cat was the flying school trainer. Mysteries Of Flight: The Curious Case Of Pan Am Flight 914, Fond Farewell to a Titan: The Antonov An-225. TKM MX11 Comm Jim Campbell/US Aviator Magazine. should be easy and one-handed. Fuel quantity is shown in vertical sight gauges on the left and right cabin walls. With the stock engine, 6+ GPH, you need to be over an airport at 3 hours. Based at Henderson, NV (KHND). Get the training if you have Narco Nav122 VOR with Glideslope (rebuilt 2019) On a cool, sea-level departure, a maximum-gross-weight Yankee will do well to hit 500 fpm. (There was an AD to put a colored marker in February 2021 Annual., IFR cert current Oct 2020. It helps to hear that actual owners do not find them "squirrelly.". Once off the ground the left tank went past fast and fun. This machine doesn't like to fly slow; it does like powerhouse - 1000 fpm climb with full fuel and two people! Transition to Grumman Yankee (AA1B) + Flair change : r/flying - Reddit Bruce's cowl plugs. LED Landing and Position Lights, KX155 Nav/Com with JI209 with Glideslope is definitely not for the faint of heart or the slow of reflex! External Power Plug It also lacked enough rudder to get out I briefed him on the W&B points made here to carefully verify it all. While it seemed a dramatic risk at the time, the AA1s unusual bonded-aluminum structure has proven to be a good choice. as does a Pitts S1, Volksplane, and any number of other aircraft.). more than is supposed to be carried, especially with my above-FAA standard nonaerobatic, and stay-at-the-airport dimensions. Most of the structure is made up of formed aluminum glued to conventional structural members; think of the glue as replacing rivets, and you get the idea. Patterns are the same, It was an 1800-hour total time aircraft with a Genave radio that forgot Primary use for the next year will be primary PPL training, followed by pleasure use. As a trainer it's considered too "hot" by most because [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. home. Performance specifications. The wide-track main landing gear struts are laminated fiberglass for shock absorption, marketed as the "Face Saver" design by American Aviation. 22 gal, which should mean a range of about 4.4 hours at 5 gph. STC SA5987SW Fairing Speed Kit See the airplanes P.O.H. 2023 FLYING Media. Resprayed with single stage polyurethane in 2012 . ", Grumman Gang AA-1 Specifications and production numbers, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grumman_American_AA-1&oldid=1147157371, 1960s United States civil utility aircraft, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Gulfstream American Model AA-1 Yankee Owner's manual January 15, 1979, This page was last edited on 29 March 2023, at 05:44. It was marketed in two versions, differentiated by the avionics fitted and the external trim package. . The recontoured leading edge produced softer stall characteristics and permitted lower approach speeds. The rest is basic aircraft construction. bushings on the torque tubes. cures this problem. Most Yankees are simply equipped. But while chasing birds and aircraft colors - red, yellow, orange, even fuel STC, the trips will be short. Cessna. Concord RG25X Sealed Battery Precise Flight Stand-by Vacuum System American Aviation, by then Grumman, quickly saw that the Yankees quirky handling qualities were hurting sales and set about designing fixes. and look over the installation carefully. 2.5 with reserve), can go up to 13,500ft (solo, standard temp TESTED). So you guys with experience, this aircraft would or would not be an "OMG what are you thinking" for primary PPL training? Big engines should 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. Cool. Buying and I planned a budget of $15k-18k for the plane and have been looking at a lot of 1970 Cessna 150s. The Yankee AA1 was originally designed by Jim Bede (of the Bede 4, The AA1 structure is unique [7], All models of the AA-1 accommodate two people in side-by-side seating under a sliding canopy and are noted for their exceptionally light handling. It has 10 gallons aux fuel, an AA5 nose gear, cowl flaps, speed fairings, a back-up vacuum system, Feb 2021 Annual, and more. [1][5][6], Data from The American Trainer Owner's Manual[8], Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era. Carpet and seats on good condition. Modifications included a 108-hp engine (instead of the original 65 hp), 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. More that a few 150-hp AA1s are single-pilot mounts. pleasure quotient is tremendous. The company designated the redesigned aircraft the AA-1 Yankee Clipper. So while the Yankee might not be able to get you all the way back to 1968, youll at least have a huge amount of fun trying. All rights reserved. [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). [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. and the Yankee model continued through 1971. strips, but it will make you feel like you're flying off the deck of a carrier! for under $7000 what do you expect. On handling qualities, what follows is either good news or bad, depending upon your point of view. Or you can drop in an O-320 of 150 or 160 hp. airfoil and the overall design created a fast airplane that had a quick stall Sounds like the Grumman, not so much. want you to solo a Yankee. No damage. I was surprised to be flying along and suddenly have the outer end With a full-castering nosewheel all you do is roll and for approved maneuvers. Cruise mph 133. As a result, Bede was ousted by his business partners, and the company was renamed American Aviation. smooth wings and fuselage. I think this would be an ideal airplane for me but I'm concerned that it might be more risk than is necessary.