Four-seat fixed-gear fast tourer · Single-engine piston aircraft · production 1975–1979 · See its reach on the 3D globe
A Grumman American AA-5B Tiger costs approximately $129k (€120k) to $154k (€143k) to buy at 1977 market values, and about $73k (€68k) a year to own flying 80 hours, roughly $914 (€846) per flight hour all-in. It seats 4, cruises at 139 kt (160 mph) and has a published range of 650 nm (1,204 km), needing about 1,640 ft (500 m) of runway. Figures are indicative planning estimates compiled 2026-07, not a quote for any specific airframe.
The Tiger is the fastest thing anyone built on 180 horsepower and fixed gear: a bonded aluminium honeycomb airframe with a sliding canopy, light controls and a cruise that embarrasses aeroplanes with retractable gear. Pilots who fly one tend to describe it as fun in a way Cherokees and Skyhawks are not. The construction is the thing to understand. Bonded structure means damage and corrosion repairs are specialist work rather than a routine sheet metal job, the free-castoring nosewheel steers on differential braking and catches out pilots who arrive from a Cessna, and factory support has passed through several owners and revivals. Buy it with a bonding and corrosion survey, and a checkout that covers ground handling.
First-party reference values for this model. They are shown separately from PlaneFit planning estimates and do not enter Finder or cross-model rankings until each field is normalised across the catalogue.
| Maximum takeoff weight | 1,089 kg |
|---|---|
| Useful load | 431 kg |
| Usable fuel | 193 L |
| Service ceiling | 13,800 ft |
| Engine | Lycoming O-360-A4K, 180 hp |
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 4 |
| Realistic payload with mission fuel | 723 lb (328 kg) |
| Published planning range | 650 nm (1,204 km) |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | 435 nm (806 km) |
| Cruise speed | 139 kt (160 mph) |
| Runway need | ~1,640 ft (500 m) |
| Landing gear | Fixed tricycle |
| Pressurised | No |
| Fuel | Avgas 100LL |
| Fixed annual base | $15k (€14k) |
| Direct cost per flight hour | $146 (€135) |
Fast and simple with excellent visibility, but bonded structure and limited specialist support require careful inspection.
Indicative cash costs at 1977 market values, before financing, depreciation and tax. The fixed base is the same whether the aircraft flies or not, so the effective hourly cost falls as utilisation rises.
| Annual use | Annual cash cost | Effective cost / h | Five-year cash outlay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 h / year | $67k (€62k) | $1,682 (€1,558) | $477k (€442k) |
| 80 h / year | $73k (€68k) | $914 (€846) | $506k (€469k) |
| 120 h / year | $79k (€73k) | $658 (€609) | $535k (€496k) |
| 180 h / year | $88k (€81k) | $487 (€451) | $579k (€536k) |
Every figure above is built from a $15k (€14k) fixed annual base, covering hangarage, insurance, scheduled maintenance reserves and recurring airworthiness costs, plus $146 (€135) per hour flown for fuel, reserves and consumables. It is a planning model for comparing aircraft and testing utilisation, not a maintenance programme quote, insurance quote or pre-buy assessment.
Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at $33k (€30k) per year at 80 hours. Airframe and engine time, maintenance and damage history, avionics, equipment, geography and tax treatment move a real transaction further than the model year does, so price the aircraft in front of you, not the model. A cheaper example carrying deferred maintenance can be the more expensive aircraft once the first annual inspection is complete.
Grumman American AA-5B Tiger cost guide answers the same figures as standalone purchase and ownership questions, and the ownership cost calculator lets you replace these assumptions with your own hours and fixed costs.
Nothing beyond a pilot certificate for the category and class. With fixed tricycle gear and no endorsement requirement of its own, this is among the simplest certified aircraft to qualify in, which is a real part of why it is cheap to insure and easy to check out in.
US requirements under 14 CFR 61.31, stated for orientation and not as advice. PlaneFit is not an aviation authority or a training organisation. Other authorities set different rules, and the current regulation and your instructor are what govern.
An indicative 1977 market price for a Grumman American AA-5B Tiger is $129k (€120k) to $154k (€143k). This is a planning estimate normalised across the market, not a quote for a specific airframe. Condition, engine time remaining, avionics and damage history move the real number more than the model year does.
Flying 80 hours a year, a Grumman American AA-5B Tiger works out at roughly $73k (€68k) annually, which is about $914 (€846) per flight hour all-in once fixed costs are spread across those hours. The direct cost per hour alone, covering fuel, reserves and consumables, is about $146 (€135).
Published range is 650 nm (1,204 km). With 4 people aboard and realistic reserves, plan on a practical radius of about 435 nm rather than the brochure figure.
Plan on approximately 1,640 ft (500 m) for take-off. Check this against the actual runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading, all of which extend the requirement.