If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
the New Tiger
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. I can think about buying a plane now, and I'm disappointed that the New Tiger outfit tanked. There are a number of them on Controller and other sites for sale. Is it prudent to buy an orphaned aircraft brand? Do these planes have design or performance issues? I know I'll lose a bunch of market value --depreciation bucks because they're orphaned but I don't care; it'll be on Uncle Sam's dime. For me its a toss-up between a Diamond and the New Tiger, and frankly I prefer a yoke. Would love to hear from Tiger/Grumman boosters out there. Thanks in advance. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
the New Tiger
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... |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
the New Tiger
Major components are still supported by the engine,
instruments and avionics manufactures. Airframe parts should be available for some time, either new or used. Issues on future airframe problems, such as de-bonding or corrosion should be investigated with a very complete pre-purchase inspection. "Grumman-581" wrote in message ... | 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... |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
the New Tiger
"Dice" wrote:
Is it prudent to buy an orphaned aircraft brand? I had a 1961 Shinn/Varga ... they went out of biz in 1980 with less than 200 made. There are probably 150 still flying. A relatively minor repair snowballed into a major restoration. Even with a plane that old and "orphaned," the engine is a Lycoming-0320, so getting parts for that was not a problem. The Varga-specific parts are not easy, but not impossible, and if you need it, someone else likely has likely needed it too and has found a solution, complete with FAA approval. I'm sure there's a Tiger *club*. These clubs are a GREAT resource for doing repairs and finding parts as well as for telling you all the nuances and quirks (if there are any) of the airplane and its performance issues/highlights. For me its a toss-up between a Diamond and the New Tiger, and frankly I prefer a yoke. Have you ever flown a stick? If not, I would just encourage you to fly one for a few hours. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
the New Tiger
"Grumman-581" wrote in message ... I bought my 1978 AA5A for probably around $35K with a mid-time engine somewhere around 12 years ago... Great price for a great little airplane! I'm a big fan of AA5s. The '78 that I rented sold for $29,000 cash and I was furious because had the FBO told me they wanted to sell it, I'd have made a higher bid. I met a P-38 vet who flew a Cheetah. He said there was nothing comparable to flying a P-38, but that something about the Cheetah reminded him of flying Lightnings. (At least, the closest thing to flying a P-38 that wife would ride in with him.) Strange because the have virtually nothing in common except the canopy and the nosewheel. The AA5x-series has a considerably better roll rate... Very nimble flier... That might have been what he meant about the Cheetah. Both Cheetas and Tigers have a very sporty feel about them, not to mention that great visibility. -c |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
the New Tiger
gatt wrote:
Strange because the have virtually nothing in common except the canopy and the nosewheel. Interesting... I didn't know that the P-38 had a full castering nosewheel... That might have been what he meant about the Cheetah. Both Cheetas and Tigers have a very sporty feel about them, not to mention that great visibility. Well, it doesn't have the roll rate of the S2B that I flew, but it's not to bad compared to the other spam cans that are its competitors... It will do a roll fairly nicely, albeit considerably slower than the S2B... The AA1-series rolls a lot better since it has about 8 ft less wingspan... I've flown them also, but never owned one... That full bubble canopy does tend to get a bit warm on a bright summer day though... |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
the New Tiger
Grumman Gang and AYA, I don't own a grumman, but I get their e-mail
newsletter. These aircraft have probably some of the best (group/association) support in the US as far as I can tell. So the support side isn't an issue. start at www.aya.org Cheers, wrote in message ... "Dice" wrote: Is it prudent to buy an orphaned aircraft brand? I had a 1961 Shinn/Varga ... they went out of biz in 1980 with less than 200 made. There are probably 150 still flying. A relatively minor repair snowballed into a major restoration. Even with a plane that old and "orphaned," the engine is a Lycoming-0320, so getting parts for that was not a problem. The Varga-specific parts are not easy, but not impossible, and if you need it, someone else likely has likely needed it too and has found a solution, complete with FAA approval. I'm sure there's a Tiger *club*. These clubs are a GREAT resource for doing repairs and finding parts as well as for telling you all the nuances and quirks (if there are any) of the airplane and its performance issues/highlights. For me its a toss-up between a Diamond and the New Tiger, and frankly I prefer a yoke. Have you ever flown a stick? If not, I would just encourage you to fly one for a few hours. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
New WWII movies coming! | The Enlightenment | Military Aviation | 28 | September 12th 04 02:11 AM |
New Tiger Photos from S. Florida | Mark T. Mueller | Owning | 0 | August 3rd 04 10:44 AM |
21st Century Grumman Tiger in South Florida | Marty from Sunny Florida | Owning | 12 | July 4th 04 08:20 PM |
The Superior King Tiger | robert arndt | Military Aviation | 168 | June 8th 04 12:25 AM |
Gruman Tiger again,, Sorry | Dave Accetta | Owning | 32 | September 23rd 03 07:13 AM |