Dice wrote:
Since I started working on my ticket, and now my instrument, I have been in
love with the new Tigers from day one of my training.

The AA5x-series aircraft are fun to fly... I wouldn't buy one of the new
ones since I can't see paying that much money for an aircraft that does
not have air-conditioning... Hey, I live in the Houston area,
air-conditioning would be a nice thing to have...

Is it prudent to buy an orphaned aircraft brand?

I bought my 1978 AA5A for probably around $35K with a mid-time engine
somewhere around 12 years ago... I've since that time gone over TBO on
that engine and probably spent around $15K for an engine overhaul... As
such, I insure it for a hull value of $50K... Maybe it doesn't have as
nice of an interior as the new Tigers, but if that was a big concern for
me, I could probably spend a grand or two and have a nice leather
interior put in it... Parts are still available for it via FletchAir and
some other companies... Yeah, maybe it's not manufacturer supported
anymore, but it hasn't been a problem for me during the last 12 years...
The Tiger has 20 more HP than my Cheetah since I have the 160 hp O-320
STC... Handling is the same since they are basically the same
airframe... Go to http://www.grumman.net for more information... There
is a Grumman mailing list, but it is one of those censored type of lists
that if you post something which the owner of the list considers not
strictly Grumman related, he will kick you off the list... There is also
a Yahoo Grumman group that is not censored that you might prefer...

Do these planes have design or performance issues?

They are a rather nimble aircraft with great visibility... If you find
yourself having trouble seeing over the panel on a 172 unless you crank
the seat up or add a booster cushion, you will especially like the
AA5x-series...

I know I'll lose a bunch of market value --depreciation bucks because
they're orphaned

You'll lose depreciation on a new aircraft... If you are buying one that
is a few years old, you come out OK though... Or if you just keep the
aircraft long enough that inflation causes the value of your aircraft to
go up...


For me its a toss-up between a Diamond and the New Tiger, and frankly
I prefer a yoke.

I have flown the Diamond Katana (DA-20)... A factory salesman had
contacted me and wanted me to give it a try for a possible purchase for
a leaseback for a flight school... It was a nice looking plane, but the
roll rate was noticeably slower than my AA5A... The glass aircraft sure
do produce a nice finish on them though... I would say that the Katana
probably had a roll rate perhaps a bit better than a 172... I hated the
roll rate on the 172... It felt like I was trying to fly a large
truck... The AA5x-series has a considerably better roll rate... Very
nimble flier...