Grumman AA5A & Others - Any Advice
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: north of barlu
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Nice aircraft with a tech support issue
I like the AA5 it is a very nice aircraft to fly and performs a little better than most aircraft from the USA, the only problem is tech support, parts are getting harder to sorce and this won't get any better as time goes on.
It is with some regret that I would advise you to find another type.
The advice from UV about not buying a French aircraft is so wide of the mark it deserves little comment.
If you are looking at an aircraft in the AA5 class a DR400-160 or 180 would fit the bill, parts are avalable if you know the people to ask, and it is cheap to operate, the best thing is the structural repair manual that refers almost all things to AC43 and the structure as they say grows on trees!
( Oh before UV says something the DR400 I had for sale has found a buyer)
It is with some regret that I would advise you to find another type.
The advice from UV about not buying a French aircraft is so wide of the mark it deserves little comment.
If you are looking at an aircraft in the AA5 class a DR400-160 or 180 would fit the bill, parts are avalable if you know the people to ask, and it is cheap to operate, the best thing is the structural repair manual that refers almost all things to AC43 and the structure as they say grows on trees!
( Oh before UV says something the DR400 I had for sale has found a buyer)
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Scotland
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A and C I totally agree, that's why I didn't mention it 
.
There's a lovely looking 4 seat Jodel tailwheel on afors at the moment, I know nothing about it but the ad looks comprehensive enough and it looks in good nick It's on a CofA and is a bit rare though.
There's also a 180hp Maule there but I have to say it's suspiciously low priced, the engine must be old or something. if it was in good condition that would be a superb machine for a syndicate, bit thirsty but really go anywhere.
Not sure an RV suits this group, the aircraft they're looking at falls quite short of the budget of an RV.
There are loads of planes that are fun to fly in this price bracket.
Not for the tall but I've flown a condor that was just beautiful to fly, nicely harmonised controls, fun but not to twitchy in pitch or roll and glides a surprisingly long way - not to mention easy to maintain and really easy to fly naturally if you know what I mean.
That said, I think of the bunch you have suggested I would choose the Europa. 1 ) there's loads of them 2) Nice to fly (from what I've heard) 3 ) Parts are easy, it's on a permit so you can do what you want.
.There's a lovely looking 4 seat Jodel tailwheel on afors at the moment, I know nothing about it but the ad looks comprehensive enough and it looks in good nick
It's on a CofA and is a bit rare though.There's also a 180hp Maule there but I have to say it's suspiciously low priced, the engine must be old or something. if it was in good condition that would be a superb machine for a syndicate, bit thirsty but really go anywhere.
Not sure an RV suits this group, the aircraft they're looking at falls quite short of the budget of an RV.
There are loads of planes that are fun to fly in this price bracket.
Not for the tall but I've flown a condor that was just beautiful to fly, nicely harmonised controls, fun but not to twitchy in pitch or roll and glides a surprisingly long way - not to mention easy to maintain
and really easy to fly naturally if you know what I mean.That said, I think of the bunch you have suggested I would choose the Europa. 1 ) there's loads of them 2) Nice to fly (from what I've heard) 3 ) Parts are easy, it's on a permit so you can do what you want.
You will probably find more information here!
Grumman-Gang
Sad I had to get rid of mine (G-BJDO) which is now sitting forlornly on a strip in Hampshire, engineless.
Grumman-Gang
Sad I had to get rid of mine (G-BJDO) which is now sitting forlornly on a strip in Hampshire, engineless.
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Traveller
Our group flies an AA5, had it now for 11 years and have gone through all the delamination problems with the elevator a few years ago and two months ago the fuel tanks. What a whopping bill that was. Lovely aircraft to fly, very forgiving but a little twitchy in crosswind landings. My pet hate is the parking brake, mostly useless but the mechanism can be modified. Best to carry a wheel chock or two or better still buy an anchor and sling it out the window!! Love the plane but the 1974 model is getting expensive. Does 33- 35 L/hr.
Join Date: Feb 2001
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Grumman Tech Support should not be a problem. The type certificate holder True Flight Aerospace is there to help. If anyone has problems contacting them PM me and I'm happy to help out. Parts support for all the usual maintenance items should also not be a problem with the European agent for the main US Grumman parts supplier based here in the UK with a good spares stock holding.
There is a STC acceptable to EASA for a high compression modification that
greatly improves the take off and climb performance of the AA5A's.
Most AA5A's on the UK register do not have the purple glue as they were imported after 1977, but having said that if a plane hasn't shown signs of delamination by now it probably doesn't have a problem. Our group owned a 1976 AA5B with the purple glue and has never had a problem, but it did spend a good number of years in the dry states of the US before importing to the UK.
There is a Service Kit SK125A which covers the repair of delmination with flush rivets, but having said that I have seen some repairs that have been carried out that do not comply with the SK that look more like a riveted Piper or Cessna.
If you search the owners group web site AYA - Welcome to the AYA you should find a wealth of infomation including a list of suppliers.
There is a STC acceptable to EASA for a high compression modification that
greatly improves the take off and climb performance of the AA5A's.
Most AA5A's on the UK register do not have the purple glue as they were imported after 1977, but having said that if a plane hasn't shown signs of delamination by now it probably doesn't have a problem. Our group owned a 1976 AA5B with the purple glue and has never had a problem, but it did spend a good number of years in the dry states of the US before importing to the UK.
There is a Service Kit SK125A which covers the repair of delmination with flush rivets, but having said that I have seen some repairs that have been carried out that do not comply with the SK that look more like a riveted Piper or Cessna.
If you search the owners group web site AYA - Welcome to the AYA you should find a wealth of infomation including a list of suppliers.
