Grumman Tiger/Cheetah

Ronnie Mowery sent the lead photo of his 1977 AA-5A Cheetah. He expected his first airplane to be a Cessna 172, but a previous Aviation Consumer Used Aircraft Guide turned him on to the Grumman. He's never looked back.

Talk with a Grumman Tiger or Cheetah owner and you’ll hear them boast of the airplane’s crisp and responsive handling, respectable climb rates and cruise speeds, plus a relatively easy and affordable ownership experience. This checks mostly all of the important boxes when searching the market for a four-place, fixed-gear single.

The other good news (bad if you’re a buyer) is that resale values for well-loved Tigers and Cheetahs are at an all-time-high, especially for those with recent upgrades. Moreover, after spending some time with lots of Grumman Tiger owners at the annual GOPA (Grumman Owners and Pilots Association) convention, it’s clear the airplanes are we’ll supported, but only in the hands of mechanics who know the airplane well. 

Larry Anglisano

Editor in Chief Larry Anglisano has been a staple at Aviation Consumer since 1995. An active land, sea and glider pilot, Larry has over 30 years’ experience as an avionics repairman and flight test pilot. He’s the editorial director overseeing sister publications Aviation Safety magazine, IFR magazine and is a regular contributor to KITPLANES magazine with his Avionics Bootcamp column.