Four-seat fixed-gear touring aircraft · Single-engine piston aircraft · production 1976–1979 · See its reach on the 3D globe
A Grumman American AA-5A Cheetah costs approximately $99k (€92k) to $119k (€110k) to buy at 1978 market values, and about $70k (€65k) a year to own flying 80 hours, roughly $875 (€810) per flight hour all-in. It seats 4, cruises at 125 kt (144 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 Cheetah comes from Jim Bede's bonded-aluminium line, built from honeycomb panels around a tubular spar rather than riveted together, and its canopy slides back on the ground, which no other certified four-seater does. It is quick for 150 horsepower and it is fun in a way its contemporaries are not. Bonded construction is what to inspect. Corrosion in a bonded joint is harder to find and harder to repair than in a riveted airframe, and the specialists are thin on the ground. The nosewheel castors, so taxiing is done on the brakes. Your local shop cannot treat it as a Cessna.
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 | 998 kg |
|---|---|
| Useful load | 415 kg |
| Usable fuel | 140 L |
| Landing ground roll | 116 m |
| Service ceiling | 12,650 ft |
| Maximum climb rate | 660 ft/min |
| Stall speed | 53 KCAS |
| Baggage weight | 54 kg |
| Engine | Lycoming O-320-E2G, 150 hp |
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 4 |
| Reported payload proxy | 756 lb (343 kg) |
| Reported range | 650 nm (1,204 km) |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | Not used for mission ranking |
| Cruise speed | 125 kt (144 mph) |
| Runway need | ~1,640 ft (500 m) |
| Landing gear | Fixed tricycle |
| Pressurised | No |
| Fuel | Avgas 100LL |
| Fixed annual base | $14k (€13k) |
| Direct cost per flight hour | $135 (€125) |
Simple, efficient and pleasant with excellent visibility, but bonded structure and limited fleet depth require careful inspection.
Indicative cash costs at 1978 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 | $65k (€60k) | $1,615 (€1,495) | $431k (€399k) |
| 80 h / year | $70k (€65k) | $875 (€810) | $458k (€424k) |
| 120 h / year | $75k (€70k) | $628 (€582) | $485k (€449k) |
| 180 h / year | $83k (€77k) | $464 (€429) | $525k (€487k) |
Every figure above is built from a $14k (€13k) fixed annual base, covering hangarage, insurance, scheduled maintenance reserves and recurring airworthiness costs, plus $135 (€125) 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 $31k (€29k) 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-5A Cheetah 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 1978 market price for a Grumman American AA-5A Cheetah is $99k (€92k) to $119k (€110k). 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-5A Cheetah works out at roughly $70k (€65k) annually, which is about $875 (€810) 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 $135 (€125).
Reported range is 650 nm (1,204 km). PlaneFit does not yet use this figure for mission ranking on this model.
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.