strips, but it will make you feel like you're flying off the deck of a carrier! of this article. After seeing lots of Grumman AA1-A's though, I got interested. I am typically at pattern altitude well before the end of the runway! But lets get to the good news first. I said intentionally because when Its low payload also contributes to its low utility index. On hot days or with high density altitudes you can forget it though. Best Cruise Speed: 129 KIAS. Just watch the weight. In 1971, the AA1 became the AA1A and included a better airfoil that provided the market. [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. fast and fun. bouncing, doesn't have an oil cooler (you should put one on) make sure it is inspected The airplane was designed as a trainer (although many question Bruce's cowl plugs. Or you can drop in an O-320 of 150 or 160 hp. 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. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. American Aviation built 459 examples of the AA-1 Yankee Clipper between 1969 and 1971 at their factory in Cleveland, Ohio. dangerous for the inexperienced) that would roll over on a wing if 1. [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. Flying should be some combination of both fun and utility - although everything is relative to the eye of the beholder. of my aileron lift up a couple of inches at the hinge point. I wouldn't want to land it over weight but it flys just fine and mine is the original AA1. Maximum speed: 125 kts. The bright colors also help the aircraft overcome Bede decided to certify the design under the then-new FAR Part 23 rules and offer it as a completed aircraft. All rights reserved. touch, kind of like using a computer mouse. The Yankee has 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. At the heart of both matters are the aircrafts limited utility and decidedly un-trainer-like handling qualities. I must admit that if it wasn't for the high winds and only myself on board It also lacked enough rudder to get out This community is for discussion among pilots, students, instructors and aviation professionals. I wouldn't want to land it over weight but it flys just fine and mine is the original AA1. 7 to 8 gph. Simple Stupid. leaky gaskets, and shortens engine life. This cute-as-a-button two-seater scampered onto the scene in late 1968 for use as a flight school trainer; it was also supposed to be the match that would rekindle the countrys love affair with two-seat sport airplanes. conversion to have a "push your Yankee backwards" competition without using a tow bar!). Horsepower: 1 x 150 HP. Bede decided to certify the design under the then-new FAR Part 23 rules and offer it as a completed aircraft. Compare the AA1A with the Cessna 150 in the specifications at the end The airplane is powered by a horizontally opposed, four cylinder, direct drive, normally aspirated, air cooled, carburetor equipped engine. 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. [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 electrical system uses a 14-volt, 40-amp alternator and a 25 ampere-hour battery. damage to the mounting. STC SA1012NW Aeromod Corp. Auxiliary Fuel 10 gal with Gross Weight increase to 1642 Lb. An auxiliary electric fuel pump is installed for use in the event of failure of the engine-driven pump. For its high cruise velocities, the AA1 pays dearly in climb performance. Cessna. Join Us | Member Benefits |News| Events |Contact Us. Look Bruce's cover and cowl plugs. I was surprised to be flying along and suddenly have the outer end It stresses parts, cracks cylinders, creates 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. The AA-1B was produced until 1976. it has a few nasty habits that usually show up with inexperienced pilots. Jim Campbell/US Aviator Magazine. in the air and make it flyable. [5], In 1971, American Aviation modified the NACA 64-415 airfoil used on the AA-1's wing, creating the AA-1A Trainer. February 2021 Annual., IFR cert current Oct 2020. As a trainer it's considered too "hot" by most because 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. [1][3][4][5][6], Grumman bought American Aviation in 1971, renaming it Grumman American Aviation, and beginning in late 1972 sold the 1973 model year design as the Grumman American AA-1B Trainer for school use. 680 AA-1Bs were produced. powerhouse - 1000 fpm climb with full fuel and two people! Also, the AA1 carries the often dubious distinction of being one of the least expensive airplanes around. As long as you don't put a bunch of weight behind the seats it's fine, you'll just eat up more runway. The cabin lighting proved to be excellent, with its variable intensity lights. Climbs at our 1000 fpm. 12v ANR plugs Following are a few things to look for. Every time I fly my airplane with two people I am over weight and have never had an issue. [1][4][5], The last AA-1C was produced by Gulfstream American in 1978. I want something to build hours in - mostly sightseeing and short cross countries. LED Landing and Position Lights, KX155 Nav/Com with JI209 with Glideslope 22 gal, which should mean a range of about 4.4 hours at 5 gph. but I did not realize the Yankee/Traveler was included. In fact, NASA did a spin test are on a long torque tube. Americas owner-flown aircraft enthusiasts and active-pilot resource, delivered to your inbox! There is also an AD on the engine oil pump at 2000 At that time the FAA was hesitant to certify a light aircraft with folding wings. STC SA789NW 180HP Conversion with Cowl Flaps I bought mine cheap. So lets say we have an opportunity to pick up a Grumman AA1B for great price, recently overhauled engine, fresh annual, and fine history. No damage. Backing into the hangar 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. 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. Complete logs. Dream on! [1] Overall, 1820 AA-1 family aircraft were built between 1969 and 1978. tails installed. Just make sure there aren't an unusual amount of cracks. : In general, everything about the AA1 series is simple. Cool. Questions: 941-294-6396. Over 1770 aircraft were built It's still is a truck! Rate of climb: 660 FPM. I cruise at 135 kts burning about 8 gph (or 140 kts @ 9 gph). ADS-B compliant. 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 new variant was named the AA-5A Cheetah and was introduced as a 1976 model in late 1975. The Tr-2 carried a factory installed cruise prop, also 71 inches in diameter, but with 57-inch pitch. No BD-1 kits were ever sold. This airplane is certificated in the normal and utility category. but also makes parking in tight places a breeze. have the fuel tank STCs. 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. 108 hp, tricycle gear. In We have 7 GRUMMAN/AMERICAN GENERAL AA1 SERIES Aircraft For Sale. Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store. STC SA5987SW Fairing Speed Kit The company designated the redesigned aircraft the AA-1 Yankee Clipper. 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. For its high cruise velocities, the AA1 pays dearly in climb performance. With the stock engine, 6+ GPH, you need to be over an airport at 3 hours. I planned a budget of $15k-18k for the plane and have been looking at a lot of 1970 Cessna 150s. chemgeek, Aug 3, 2020 #8 Tantalum Final Approach One reason is room, another is weight, but the best is KISS - Keep It won't go in and out of the short grass The Yankee is a neat-looking aircraft, made from a different process. Flight planning or any other aircraft operations should only be done using official technical information provided Subscriptions/Orders: 800-356-7767. a solid feel with the flaps. E-Mail Others went to Australia, Canada, Dominican Republic, New Zealand and South Africa. Any thoughts on the safety of the AA-1B/C? stop drilling. An average O-320 Lycoming 150-hp burns more than is supposed to be carried, especially with my above-FAA standard Your current browser cannot run our content, please make sure your browser is fully updated or try one of the browsers below. 211 AA-1Cs were produced in 1977 and 1978. Our CFI is 200lbs. Grumman AA-1A = LSA? However, duly noted not to exceed. These models also The prototype first flew on July 11, 1963 and featured folding wings for trailering and ease of storage. [1] Overall, 1820 AA-1 family aircraft were built between 1969 and 1978. 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. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. prop - not a nice claim on your insurance. Parmetheus LED Landing Light Modifications included a 108-hp engine (instead of the original 65 hp), Whats Going On with Cessna Denali Turboprop. Is that neat or what?). from the house on the property! or Speaking of alterations, the entire AA1 series seems to have become a modifiers dream come true. 1996 some thrills. really The Grumman American AA-1 series is a family of light, two-seat aircraft. A truly awful plane that creates sloppy pilots. I briefed him on the W&B points made here to carefully verify it all. 6. That company division completed a major redesign of the AA-1B, resulting in the AA-1C. Mysteries Of Flight: The Curious Case Of Pan Am Flight 914, Fond Farewell to a Titan: The Antonov An-225. The re-contoured leading edge produced softer stall characteristics and permitted lower approach speeds. Become a member and get exclusive access to articles, contests and more! GlobalAir.com is your partner in connecting you with relevant information and resources. The wing from 1969 to 1978. Manufacturer: American Aviation. and look over the installation carefully. the quickest and fastest, and have the most abrupt stalls. It's common sense that doesn't take an AYA PFPI to understand. It was the only runway pointing into the wind, a wind strong Piper. The differences between the AA-1B and AA-1C include engine, enlarged tailplane, and twin shock absorbers in the nose gear. I've reviewed too many AA-1-series takeoff accident reports to agree with that. Carpet and seats on good condition. Yeah, I was referring to the higher stall speed and spin issues. Strip, inspect, and repaint. [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). Hundreds more for sale . Line up on the centerline, Fuel capacity was increased from the Traveler's 37 US gallons to 52 gallons, thus increasing its range. The maingear legs are fiberglass. 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. Some people have tons of experience in all sorts of planes and can feel their way into flying a new type. for wrinkles or loose spots. Fighter fun on 5 gph makes the Grumman American Yankee Most owners plan on about 3 hours of flying. Fly by the POH. This first model was one of Never try to do it yourself - even if you are a mechanic to remove the nose bowl cowling, it means removing the propeller One problem with my Yankee was that the bushings in the ailerons came Grumman aircraft Traveler Cheetah Tiger Cougar aircraft specifications history and performance runway that has about 1.5 times the takeoff distance over a 50' obstacle. AA-5 Traveler & AA-5A Cheetah Competitive Comparison, AA-5B & AG-5B Tiger Competitive Comparison, Instructors- Pilot Familiarization Program. If you don't have the extended Downwind about 90 to 95 and final about 80. ). With a 585lb useful load, we can take full or nearly full fuel in almost all scenarios. Whatever the negative results of the design, the aircraft is fun if flown out of anything with less than 2000' of hard surface to run on. damaged by people putting pressure on them. As a result of this philosophy, many parts were interchangeable. With a full-castering nosewheel all you do is roll and Have a good AD search done. The 150 is probably forgiving of screwing up the W&B. as does a Pitts S1, Volksplane, and any number of other aircraft.). 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. 11. These names were chosen to position the aircraft in the Gulfstream American line which, at that time featured the Cheetah, Tiger and the Cougar. The long takeoff gives the feeling of being in a fighter. for buying should always include a good prepurchase inspection by a qualified Marc E. Cook, AOPA Pilot, April 1993. [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. The The US Aviator Magazine Home Page!!! Blue Sky Visors is only about 500 lbs (fuel, passengers, and stuff). The flight in ground effect included a turn to stay away However, duly noted not to exceed. An AA-1A's dirty stall is 60mph (clean is 63, the flaps are fairly useless), while a 152's is 48mph. 10. One last time, go over leaks. 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. This cruise propeller accounts for the increase in top and cruise speed plus about 30 additional miles in total range; however, the Tr-2 suffers in the climb department with a 660-fpm capability compared to the Trainers 705-fpm climb speed. We use cookies to help you get the best experience when using our website. 91 or F.A.R 135. One thing to always remember about the Yankee, whatever model, is baggage - not really your cross-country aircraft. That leaves 183 lbs for passengers and Garmin GTX327 Transponder with AR850 encoder Ultimately, America wasnt quite ready for the kind of fun the Yankees were ready to dish out. Over time this philosophy of compromising the aerodynamics in favour of a minimized parts count was abandoned. If the engine was traded for a Lycoming O-235-L2C that developed 115 hp. Thanks for dropping by and resurrecting a 2yo thread that no one probably cares about any more! The three of us range weigh 170/210/270. The aluminum tube fuel tank/spars are small The wide-track main landing gear struts are laminated fiberglass for shock absorption, marketed as the "Face Saver" design by American Aviation. When choosing which model to buy, remember that the AA1 models are We were looking at the W&B numbers yesterday. You take a plane that was originally equipped with basic VFR instruments, add an oil cooler, transponder, second radio, audio panel, intercom, ADF, oil filter, and associated gauges all in front of the CG and it's going to be nose heavy. 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. 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. its job. ). The engine can turn 2700 with no problem, and 2800 for takeoff. It First flight was on March 25, 1970 and 470 AA-1As were built in 1971-72. Most modern AA1's are going to be nose heavy. Fighter fun on 5 gph makes the Grumman American Yankee AA1 series of aircraft a fun date. As far as needing to be exactly on speed, not really, I've bailed out plenty of student mistakes. 2023 The Grumman Owners and Pilots Association. mechanic. The re-contoured leading edge produced softer stall characteristics and permitted lower approach speeds. But the "everyman's" status was never achieved. 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. Roll the direction you want to The Trainer is factory fitted with a climb prop, 71 inches in diameter with a 53-inch pitch. 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. turn final when appropriate, trim for 70 to 80 mph. [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. Many STC mods to accommodate the O-360 including aux tanks, gross weight increase, AA5 nose gear, cowl flaps, dorsal fin, and speed fairings. The AA1 A, B, and C models were the result. The recontoured leading edge produced softer stall characteristics and permitted lower approach speeds. 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.) The family includes the original American Aviation AA-1 Yankee Clipper and AA-1A Trainer, the. to the Good Stuff!!! I own a 182P and love it for what it does. Check the bonding of the fuselage and wings. If you try to save the landing and start The airplane is approved for day and night VFR operations when equipped in accordance with F.A.R. 7. February 2021 Annual. The variant designed for the personal-use market was called the TR-2 and it featured a standard radio and trim package. Disclaimer: Information on this site may not be accurate or current and is not valid for flight planning or any other aircraft operations. Don't get behind the "power curve." Controls are simple, and well placed. try to touch down 70 to 75 mph. Be honest with your ability and experience. 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. the higher the price, the more stuff to play with. bushings on the torque tubes. Good paint and glass. fitness for any purpose is made or implied. 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. 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. Fuel Burn @ 75%: 8.5 GPH. the wings. 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. The Lynx was targeted at private owners while the T-Cat was the flying school trainer. Keep the speed up and keep the power on to keep the Yankee from separation. Grumman bought American Aviation in 1971, renaming it Grumman American Aviation and beginning in late 1972 sold the 1973 model year design as the Grumman American AA-1B Trainer for school use. by the manufacturer or FAA. its small size. The rest is basic aircraft construction. the rates for a Cessna 150. My stuff usually weighs - not This would be replacing the current C150. Someone is marketing a '71 model as LSA. If I was going somewhere the AA1 would be my choice. 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. Seems simple 2023 GlobalAir.com. They Keep the plane in ground The book calls for 117 knots at 75-percent power, burning 6.3 gallons per hour. [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. It climbs like a bat out of hell and has a service ceiling of 21,000 feet! A recent issue of Trade-A-Plane had listings from $9500 to $25,000. Stall Speed (dirty): 52 kts: Range: 348 nm : . none. Although this is difficult [1] [5] AA-1C Lynx and T-Cat 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. Fax: 941-294-3678. PS Engineering 1000 II Intercom Fuel gauges (in the form of sight tubes) have very little failure, The AA-1B was produced until 1976. 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. For other uses, see, "The Grumman Yankee Fighter Fun Trainer Price! JPI Fuel Scan 450 Fuel Flow Computer American Aviation, by then Grumman, quickly saw that the Yankees quirky handling qualities were hurting sales and set about designing fixes. American took over the production and design, trying to turn the exciting Copyright 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. One significant difference between the basic Trainer and the Tr-2 is in the propeller. [3][4][9], The original American Aviation AA-1 Yankee developed a poor reputation for safety in its first years of production (196971). STC SA7974SW Wheel Fairings to make a go-around right away. Inspect the seal around the windshield and check out the locks. If that's true, your airplane isn't set up properly -- something an AYA PFPI would have detected right from the start. go and push the brakes to turn the aircraft. Get extra lift from AOPA. (We recall a Grumman American sales demo flight a few years ago during which an AA-1B blew by . Easy flying for the high-performance pilot. Take a close look. canopy, 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. The original 108-hp Lycoming O-235-C2C engine New fiberglass tail cone. Narco Nav122 VOR with Glideslope (rebuilt 2019) 5. 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. Yankee Ingenue (glued) together (another forerunner to the composite craze?). As a result, Bede was ousted by his business partners, and the company was renamed American Aviation. The fin and horizontal stabilizers were interchangeable, as were the rudder and the elevators. Most insurance companies want a all O-235 engines produce 115 hp at 2650 rpm. the take-off procedures. Grumman American. Discussion in 'Flight Following' started by Pedals2Paddles, Oct 8, 2014. Ceiling 11,550. heading down the runway in your own two-seat plane - bubble 1 - 7 . An oil cooler became standard with the AA1C, but it can be retrofitted to the earlier models. Today, the AA1 line remains as two distinctly different types of airplanes the original hot wing Yankee and the later, more docile models. The 1973 model was the AA1B, which offered the Check all the for under $7000 what do you expect. Taxiing is easy. Resprayed with single stage polyurethane in 2012 . Cruise Speed: . 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. It really turns into a dog in climb. This machine doesn't like to fly slow; it does like Some AA-1s have been converted to taildragger configuration. 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). Gulfstream American. It didn't have a transponder and it didn't have good paint, but 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. If the aircraft is a big engine conversion you are really in for It helps to hear that actual owners do not find them "squirrelly.". 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. It really turns into a dog in climb. Nice flying truck, but it is a truck. . Maintain ground effect until you get past 70. Much higher stall speeds and prone to spinning. Straight and level at 10,500 feet, with a density altitude of 11,500, our true airspeed worked out to 155 mph, according to instrumentation of the plane. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 144. Most Yankees are simply equipped. Try to lookinside the cowling and in the cockpit at the construction. The original American AA1 Yankee Clipper came out in 1969,