I flew one of these in the Southern cross air race many moons ago, and in a leg we where making up time we passed a new Piper arrow. The arrow owner actively sort me out that night, he couldn't believe it.
Awesome you’re back, I was wondering what happened to you, thanks for the explanation on the long hiatus. Congratulations Michael on your CPL and Instructor rating, so hope this means a lot more content and possibly more fly aways around SA🤔😊👍
I absolutely love my 1976 AA-5A Cheetah, put in a rebuilt engine STC'd up to 160hp (stock was 150) and a cruise prop. I can keep up with a stock Tiger on 20 less horsepower and 2 gallons per hour less fuel burn! Hop over to my channel to see some flights around Houston,TX in it! 🙂
@@fiat5001963 No, really - actually (slowly) passed one and kept up with another side-by-side. True that they were not "new" or "fresh" Tigers but nonetheless, I'll take the points 😀
When you look at purchase, maintenance, fuel, and insurance it’s the best package. I can go 135+ kts, have 950# useful load, and burn under 10 gph. Fairly low maintenance and insurance too.
Yes, others may be faster, but there is no other fixed gear, fixed pitch aeroplane that can do that economy and performance. Grummans are about the best bang for buck you can get.
Sure there are faster airplanes, like the SR71 but you have to compare apples with apples. This is the fastest fixed gear, fixed prop, 180hp certified single. Let's also add that none of those other aircrafts have the handing qualities of the Tiger.
In transition to a T210, I flew the Tiger for a little over 100 hours when I lived in Naperville, IL. I rented the Tiger at Clow Airport (Bolingbrook, IL) and flew to Flushing, MI many times. What was normally a 5 1/2 hr. drive was an hour and 40 minute flight. After departing Clow, I flew directly from a point just North of Midway Airport (before GPS availability) toward Benton Harbor, MI, roughly 60 miles across the water. At 7,500 feet I could reach land at any point enroute. With no wind I would cruise 160 mph. One day flying East, my DME read 196. The Tiger is very fast for a fixed gear/prop plane. It's responsive and can carry a load along with full fuel. It's comfortable and airy for every passenger. It's absolutely a "must look" if you're in the market for a Cessna 182 type airplane. The ownership cost of the Tiger will impress you too. That 180hp Lycoming engine is bullet-proof and makes TBO with ease. Great fuel economy. If you need to lose altitude in a hurry, the Tiger is a "stone" in a side-slip, but very controllable. I can't say enough good, and never found anything bad about her. Even the castering nose wheel was a delight on the ramp. Best Benefit ... The sliding canopy. That feature is loved by "everybody". Amazing ventilation on a hot day while in taxi. GOOD FLYING EVERYBODY ...
Clow Int'l! Great airport. Did some of my early flying there in the '70's. In the '80's I spent a lot of time in the Tiger flyingh checks around NC. Lots of NDB approaches. Loved flying low with the canopy open and arm hanging out. Good times.
Loved the Tiger. Flew many hours in it, about 50% providing instrument dual. Liked it’s stability- it’ll go where you pointed it. Like a miniature fighter. Sweet and challenging to many students accustomed to the good Cessna birds.
I would like to see you review the Jabiru 230. The cockpit layout is quite interesting ( Deathtrap like) even more interesting than the Grumman. I flew a Grumman Travel ler, and a Tiger was impressed with the spped and agility of both aircraft
Yes you can fly partially open to the placard under Va, about 6”. Great on hotter or slower flights. If you’re steady climbing yes, but not on initial takeoff or final approach due to it reducing initial climb or go around performance.
A few years ago ( ok may have been many years ago) learnt to fly in the two seater trainer version, then the cheetah before flying the tiger, great fun aircraft. Did get stuck in one at Adelaide Airport one day which saw us having to call the tower to get someone to come to the plane and unlatch the canopy so we could get out. The inside gets hot fast sitting on the tarmac at Adelaide 😂
Yep, many OWNERS don't even realize there is an emergency unlock latch next to the big unlatch handle. Push on the little tab then unlatch the main canopy as normal.
Not too many retractables this could beat, maybe a 180 hp arrow. I’ve flown a 200 hp arrow and it would do 140 knots, My Mooney will do 150 knots with a 180 hp engine although I flight plan for 145. Grummans are nice planes though. I considered them when I was looking for a plane.
True, but in the Tiger you’re not dealing with weight, maintenance, and insurance of a retractable. And for fixed, you’re hard pressed to get more bang for your buck. Practical, economical, very fun to fly, and you can’t beat the sliding canopy!
@@shockwave538 Yes, certainly some benefits with the Tiger ,but I think I would miss putting the gear up after takeoff. Also fuel economy on my Mooney is awesome, 145 knots at 8.5 gallons per hour is great.
Yes, that version was build by American General and was redesignated as the AG-5B. It was heavier (and slower) than an earlier Tiger since it had heavier systems, fatter yoke and a quadrant-style Throttle and Mixture control.
No G1000. AG5B we’re made in small numbers in the 90s and smaller number in early 2000s. Still good birds and changed to 24v, but I’ve heard there’s a few drawbacks too.
I have an AG5B and I really like the quadrant-style controls like Piper vs Cessna. I love the yokes as it gives it a real solid feel. One disadvantage was the induction system. They moved the carb intake in a low pressure area so it does not produce the same power in cruise but I purchased an STC that allows a K&N air filter with a big NACA scoop. I now cruise 132 knots with NO wheel pants. I'm looking to reach 140 knots with no additional engine work. I owned a 172 but put it for sale the day after I flew the Tiger. Never looked back... @@shockwave538
The AA5B was not designed by Grumman. It shares zero lineage with Grumman designers whatsoever. The pedigree was a home made flying trailer called the Bede 1.
