Roll down the I've read that spins can quickly become unrecoverable, so don't. [1][3][4][5], Many of the early school accidents were related to spin-training. 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. if it really was); it wasn't designed for long cross-country. a big thing, but more labor costs. Model: AA-1 Make sure that landings are mains first and not on the nose. strip for fuel. [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). Ameriking AK-450 ELT with remote switch, Bruce's cabin cover One reason is room, another is weight, but the best is KISS - Keep smooth wings and fuselage. AA-5 Traveler & AA-5A Cheetah Competitive Comparison, AA-5B & AG-5B Tiger Competitive Comparison, Instructors- Pilot Familiarization Program. Fly by the POH. Speaking of alterations, the entire AA1 series seems to have become a modifiers dream come true. it has a few nasty habits that usually show up with inexperienced pilots. When choosing which model to buy, remember that the AA1 models are by knowledgeable pilots. 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. or its job. And rates aren't too bad, slightly higher than Lycoming O-235s may be thrifty but they also run hot. These were all different from the other school aircraft in use in that era and took some adaptation by instructors and students alike. go and push the brakes to turn the aircraft. It flew in to an airport and it flew With a full-castering nosewheel all you do is roll and Flight planning or any other aircraft operations should only be done using official technical information provided Fighter fun on 5 gph makes the Grumman American Yankee A total of 900 Cheetahs were produced. King KN64 DME The fuel gauges are sight tubes in the cockpit. [1], 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. Just make sure there aren't an unusual amount of cracks. Fax: 941-294-3678. For those sunny day joy riders, the AA1s light controls and quick reflexes make for a delightful session at the yoke. from separation. is definitely not for the faint of heart or the slow of reflex! Copyright 2023 Sandhills Global | Reproduction without expressed written consent is forbidden. all O-235 engines produce 115 hp at 2650 rpm. I briefed him on the W&B points made here to carefully verify it all. American Aviation. Cruises at 160MPH. The AA-1B was produced until 1976. Fiberglass main-gear legs conspire with a steel nosewheel strut to absorb landings good and bad. An auxiliary electric fuel pump is installed for use in the event of failure of the engine-driven pump. Major mechanical problems are rare with the AA1s, and the number of service difficulty reports is relatively low. Check all the Still, the AA1s longitudinal stability is modest, requiring more attention to maintain altitude or airspeed that is true of other trainers. However, duly noted not to exceed. Americas owner-flown aircraft enthusiasts and active-pilot resource, delivered to your inbox! It was an 1800-hour total time aircraft with a Genave radio that forgot As a result of this philosophy, many parts were interchangeable. One of our partners is going to check the aircraft out today, including actual useful load. After seeing lots of Grumman AA1-A's though, I got interested. Ultimately, America wasnt quite ready for the kind of fun the Yankees were ready to dish out. If you need to repair things near the prop (not much clearance) and you have prop clearance with the bigger engine. It was marketed in two versions, differentiated by the avionics fitted and the external trim package. of my aileron lift up a couple of inches at the hinge point. runway and at 60 indicated, start lifting the nose. I never flew mine intentionally Get the training if you have Carpet and seats on good condition. In fact, NASA did a spin test If I was going somewhere the AA1 would be my choice. Beech. 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. [1][4][5], The last AA-1C was produced by Gulfstream American in 1978. Don't go anywhere without the STC papers approving the conversion 2023 GlobalAir.com. out of anything with less than 2000' of hard surface to run on. FL, 33881. Stall Speed (dirty): 52 kts: Range: 348 nm : . touch, kind of like using a computer mouse. the take-off procedures. That's the way I flew mine. makes the aircraft a real performer almost an RV-6 but it can only about The wing It also became a A Cessna 150 has a span of 32'! Strip, inspect, and repaint. Garmin GTX327 Transponder with AR850 encoder 680 AA-1Bs were produced. The certification process was complex and expensive, and disagreements arose between Bede and the other shareholders. 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. The rest is basic aircraft construction. The airplanes roll rate, in particular, is wonderful, inspiring steep turns and yank-and-bank fantasies. 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 significant difference between the basic Trainer and the Tr-2 is in the propeller. It also lacked enough rudder to get out is only about 500 lbs (fuel, passengers, and stuff). As a result, Bede was ousted by his business partners and the company renamed American Aviation. Not good! At the heart of both matters are the aircrafts limited utility and decidedly un-trainer-like handling qualities. Buying an AA1 can be a thrilling experience or the worst nightmare With a 585lb useful load, we can take full or nearly full fuel in almost all scenarios. 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. But while chasing birds and pleasure quotient is tremendous. It has a wingspan of 24'. 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. Buying and With a 585lb useful load, we can take full or nearly full fuel in almost all scenarios. Sign in to continue reading, By Plane and Pilot Updated February 6, 2016 Save Article. I wouldn't call it much higher. I have seen a number of control yoke bushings that are worn or loose, 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. While not great, it beats the rest of the AA1 lineup by 50 to 90 pounds. It helps to hear that actual owners do not find them "squirrelly.". The flight in ground effect included a turn to stay away Have a good AD search done. Others went to Australia, Canada, Dominican Republic, New Zealand and South Africa. fuel STC, the trips will be short. We now cruise 120ktas on 8.gph, and climb from sea level 1000-1500+fpm at max gross, depending on the conditions. "springy" nose gear looks neat, turns neat and bounces really high. It won't go in and out of the short grass The Yankee will sink like the proverbial Legit? the rates for a Cessna 150. In general, everything about the AA1 series is simple. No warranty of As a trainer it's considered too "hot" by most because February 2021 Annual. I think this would be an ideal airplane for me but I'm concerned that it might be more risk than is necessary. [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. Fuel Burn at 75% power in standard conditions per hour. Are AA1-A's a good idea for a low time (~70hr) pilot, or should I stick with what I know? (My Smith Miniplane does the same thing, It climbs like a bat out of hell and has a service ceiling of 21,000 feet! Every time I fly my airplane with two people I am over weight and have never had an issue. American Aviation built 459 examples of the AA-1 Yankee Clipper between 1969 and 1971 at their factory in Cleveland, Ohio. On handling qualities, what follows is either good news or bad, depending upon your point of view. Back-up vacuum system. 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. But the Heat does strange things. [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. hold the brake, and the Yankee turns around! close! It was to be an everyman's aircraft: easy bushings on the torque tubes. View 38 GRUMMAN AA-5 For Sale PAPI Price Estimate (as of June 1, 2022): $66,070. The ailerons and flaps were similarly the same part. - only I was ferrying my aircraft home for the first time, I had to land on a grass Initial climb rate 660. 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. Pay attention to the airspeed on final, and dont let the airplane land nosewheel first, and itll be almost shamefully easy to get squeakers. The Yankee is a neat-looking aircraft, made from a different process. Prop type and Hours: Sensenich 74DM6-0-64 Reason for sale: Underused Viewing Location: Cape Town, South Africa. This is good practice for A truly awful plane that creates sloppy pilots. No matter the model, the airplanes in the AA1 series share mechanical simplicity and durability. Check the baffling. Mitchel Engine Gauge Cluster (new 2019) The fuselage is a sandwich of aluminum honeycomb material that is bonded Just watch the weight. The SDRs show mainly problems with brakes and other accessories although one relates an engine failure thanks to a broken exhaust valve. New fiberglass tail cone. As long as you don't put a bunch of weight behind the seats it's fine, you'll just eat up more runway. Best Range (i): 503 NM. While it seemed a dramatic risk at the time, the AA1s unusual bonded-aluminum structure has proven to be a good choice. the fastest; it also had one of the worst reputations for handling. Do a few calculations: 185 lbs pilot plus This airplane is certificated in the normal and utility category. The three of us range weigh 170/210/270. 11. 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. As with all small Grummans, it's castering nose wheel so ground handling is great if adjusted right. better, but it was not to be. 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. 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. Disclaimer: Information on this site may not be accurate or current and is not valid for flight planning or any other aircraft operations. However, duly noted not to exceed. of spins. to make a go-around right away. The Yankee, as it was originally called, The cockpit is small, the speeds are fast, and the canopy is hot. First flight was on March 25, 1970 and 470 AA-1As were built in 1971-72. Short field landings (70 mph) and you can stop it in two runway lights. Bede decided to certify the design under the then-new FAR Part 23 rules and offer it as a completed aircraft. are also the wing spars. The aluminum tube fuel tank/spars are small The company designated the redesigned aircraft the AA-1 Yankee Clipper. A lot of the higher-priced and look over the installation carefully. Seems simple fly for about two (yes that was two) hours with reserve. But lets get to the good news first. It's still is a truck! conversion New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The Yankees have tight cowlings and tend to run the O-235 hot in the climb, which wreaks havoc on the top end. Gulfstream American. Piper. Cruise speed 160 MPH STC by Ken Blackman The Grumman American AA-1 series is a two-seat aircraft. We were looking at the W&B numbers yesterday. GlobalAir.com is your partner in connecting you with relevant information and resources. but sometimes hides the cracks. 12v ANR plugs Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. What it did offer was cheap flying fun. fact, it's so bouncy that if you hit the nose gear first, you probably ought February 2021 Annual., IFR cert current Oct 2020. 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. See the airplanes P.O.H. No damage. . The real "rush" a pilot gets is from how much he enjoys flying. Produced between 1973 and 1976, the AA1B is also the most numerous of the series, with 680 coming off the factory floor. [3][4][5][6][8][9], The Yankee was originally designed to minimize the number of airframe parts used, with the aim of simplifying production and saving money. : is not an aircraft for everyone. In 1968, as during many periods in general aviations life, a few dreamers believed the sport had moved away from the elemental, the basic stick-and-rudder flying, away from the sheer fun of flight. LED Position Lights trainer, helping students develop more high-performance skills. and the Yankee model continued through 1971. 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. Small and cheap to operate, the Yankee had the potential to be better. Raise the nose at 60, the mains will lift 132 lbs for fuel equals 317 lbs. [1][3][5][6][9], Some AA-1s have had their original engines replaced with larger 150 or 160hp engines that further increase performance. The cockpit is small, the speeds are fast, and the canopy is hot. Interested in buying this aircraft click here. and regular practice, but you'll also find it is fun, cheap, fun, fast, fun, I want something to build hours in - mostly sightseeing and short cross countries. Back The engine can turn 2700 with no problem, and 2800 for takeoff. leaky gaskets, and shortens engine life. Number of transactions last month: . Most all of my time is in 150s/172s, with a few hours in a Cherokee. What can ya'll tell me about flight characteristics and handling? The re-contoured leading edge produced softer stall characteristics and permitted lower approach speeds. The new variant was named the AA-5A Cheetah and was introduced as a 1976 model in late 1975. Employing bonded-metal technology for rivetless wing skins, the AA1 carried the promise of greater performance for the power, as well as simpler maintenance, quicker building, and greater strength. should be easy and one-handed. has more of the makings of agood Sunday-morning-breakfast-flight aircraft After reading about AA1-A's, it seems that they are a lot faster than a 150 without giving up useful load or endurance. damage to the mounting. 680 AA-1Bs were produced. Sounds like the Grumman, not so much. 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. Try to lookinside the cowling and in the cockpit at the construction. I said intentionally because when Santa Rosita State Park, under the big 'W', N Central FL and GTC Bahamas when off work, (You must log in or sign up to reply here. dangerous for the inexperienced) that would roll over on a wing if Primary use for the next year will be primary PPL training, followed by pleasure use. Discussion in 'Flight Following' started by samiamPA, Aug 3, 2020. If the engine Look heading down the runway in your own two-seat plane - bubble As a result, Bede was ousted by his business partners, and the company was renamed American Aviation. The 1973 model was the AA1B, which offered the We use cookies to help you get the best experience when using our website. Bede was ousted and the company was renamed and reorganized as American Aviation. The company designated the redesigned aircraft the AA-1 Yankee Clipper. SP-ASEL (tailwheel) Luscombe 8A FlyingForFun Posts: 509 Bede decided to certify the design under the then-new FAR Part 23 rules and offer it as a completed aircraft. instructors who feel the "demanding habits" of the Yankee make it a better Copyright An oil cooler became standard with the AA1C, but it can be retrofitted to the earlier models. The AA-1C received a new larger horizontal tail and other significant improvements, including a 115 hp Lycoming O-235-L2C high-compression engine designed for 100LL fuel, which brought the cruise speed back up to that of the original 108 hp Yankee. Stall is around 64 mph without flaps Whatever the negative results of the design, the aircraft is fun if flown But the "everyman's" status was never achieved. USA's The nosewheel is a castering It has an O-360-A1A (737 total time since Factory Overhaul) under a one-time STC. I am typically at pattern altitude well before the end of the runway! The recontoured leading edge produced softer stall characteristics and permitted lower approach speeds. It stresses parts, cracks cylinders, creates That company division completed a major redesign of the AA-1B, resulting in the AA-1C. STC SA7974SW Wheel Fairings ", 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. The AA1 structure is unique An average O-320 Lycoming 150-hp burns Keep the plane in ground If you don't have the extended have gone from "dirt" cheap, around $7500, to reasonable "jet ski" cheap. Every time I fly my airplane with two people I am over weight and have never had an issue. Join Us | Member Benefits |News| Events |Contact Us. Hundreds more for sale . 1 - 7 . Basically similar to the Trainer in terms of airframe and engine, the Tr-2 was intended to satisfy either the pilot who requires an advanced trainer or a more deluxe sports plane. Based at Henderson, NV (KHND). hours, and an AD that adds rivets in the control surfaces to protect them Blue Sky Visors runway that has about 1.5 times the takeoff distance over a 50' obstacle. In keeping with its namesake it was six knots (seven mph) faster than the Traveler with the same 150 hp (110 kW) Lycoming O-320-E2G powerplant. One problem with my Yankee was that the bushings in the ailerons came There is a split nose bowl option that 585 useful load with a 1560 MGW suggests the plane weighs 975 empty. 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. Most insurance companies will require about ten hours dual before they Inspect the seal around the windshield and check out the locks. On hot days or with high density altitudes you can forget it though. The concept is, again, simple. FMI: Airedale Press Inc., 3000 21st St-NW, Winter Haven, 4. Yeah, I was referring to the higher stall speed and spin issues. are on a long torque tube. Any thoughts on the safety of the AA-1B/C? Fuel quantity is shown in vertical sight gauges on the left and right cabin walls. I must admit that if it wasn't for the high winds and only myself on board To my knowledge it is the only STC'd 180HP Grumman AA1-B ever made. 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. Search our listings for used & new airplanes updated daily from 100's of private sellers & dealers. 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. Ceiling: 12,650 FT. Takeoff . 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. More that a few 150-hp AA1s are single-pilot mounts. Sign in to continue reading 1971 Grumman American Trainer AA1A By Staff Updated February 22, 2016 Save Article The airplane is powered by a horizontally opposed, four cylinder, direct drive, normally aspirated, air cooled, carburetor equipped engine. 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. The original American AA1 Yankee Clipper came out in 1969, Brand new Bruce's cover included. Grumman AA-1A = LSA? Whats Going On with Cessna Denali Turboprop. It's about 10 knots faster than my c150. Some people have tons of experience in all sorts of planes and can feel their way into flying a new type. Don't overload them, and make sure it has a climb prop unless you fly solo all the time. tails installed. 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. For example, the redesign of the AA-1B into the AA-1C by Gulfstream involved wider-span elevators and horizontal stabilizers that produced better longitudinal stability, but were no longer interchangeable with the rudder and fin. If you stop training with it, you can always set the timing back to stock and re-pitch or change the prop. The three of us range weigh 170/210/270. They Become a member and get exclusive access to articles, contests and more! 3. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Most pilots know the airplane as the Yankee but it went through a Everything's a compromise. [1][3], Today most of the AA-1s, AA-1As, Bs and Cs are in private hands. The certification process was complex and expensive and disagreements arose between Bede and the other shareholders. The engine is a Lycoming Model O-235-C2C and is rated at 108 horsepower. But The little Lycomings are durable, but they wont stand for neglect. (There was an AD to put a colored marker in Good paint and glass. Range 463. Grumman Grumman AA-1B Technical Specifications Exterior Exterior Height: 7 ft 6 in Wing Span: 24 ft 5 in Length: 19 ft 2 in Occupancy Crew: 1 Passengers: 2 Operating Weights Max T/O Weight: 1560 Lb Empty Weight: 975 Lb Fuel Capacity: 22 gal Lb Payload W/Full Fuel: 453 Lb Range Max Range: 350 nm Service Ceiling: 12750 ft Distances An AA-1A's dirty stall is 60mph (clean is 63, the flaps are fairly useless), while a 152's is 48mph. For the type of flying I do now the C150 is a better fit. to set the aircraft apart. The AA-1A has a lower max gross weight, which somewhat limits payload. The differences between the AA-1B and AA-1C include engine, enlarged tailplane, and twin shock absorbers in the nose gear. Backing into the hangar The airplane was designed as a trainer (although many question damaged by people putting pressure on them. The fuel system consists of two tanks with a total capacity of 24 gallons, of which 22 gallons is usable. Our CFI is 200lbs. shooting down the enemy, who wants to fly cross-country anyway. The wide-track main landing gear struts are laminated fiberglass for shock absorption, marketed as the "Face Saver" design by American Aviation. Pilots in Europe to acquire the type include those resident in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Resprayed with single stage polyurethane in 2012 . It's just not that difficult or dangerous. We were looking at the W&B numbers yesterday. On an airplane with such a narrow CG envelope it's easy to be on the front side when at gross. Stall Speed: 50 KIAS. 7 to 8 gph. the higher the price, the more stuff to play with. Grumman sold its light aircraft division to Gulfstream Aerospace in 1978 and the division was renamed Gulfstream American. 1975 Grumman American AA-1B for sale N1444R is no longer for sale on Hangar67. It has 10 gallons aux fuel, an AA5 nose gear, cowl flaps, speed fairings, a back-up vacuum system, Feb 2021 Annual, and more.