Need an opinion (purchase aa1_)

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    • May 4, 2016 at 11:10 #4840
      Zachary Voorhees
      Participant

      Hi all,

      I have been looking for my very first airplane and believe I have decided on a Grumman AA1 of some form or another.

      My question is … is the original o-235 really enough power? I fly Piper’s and Cessna’s and typically have 3000’+ of pavement to eat up, however I would like to be going faster than 110kts.

      I “test drove” an AA1B with a 160hp on the front and loved it. Plenty of power/climb perf./ etc. Never flown one with 108hp, however 150’s have the same engine.

      My issue is if I purchase a plane it has to be economical.
      – The 160hp AA1B I flew was 18.5k and needed some work.
      – There is a AA1A with the o-235 for 14.5k locally

      I don’t know if its worth 4k-ish just for an extra 15-20kts

      Please let me know if I am missing something.

    • May 4, 2016 at 13:34 #4843
      Roscoe Rosché
      Keymaster

      Zachary,

      Of the two the 150 HP version is the better one. Someone else has gone through the expense of converting it, so you save. It will perform better, and you can always throttle back for fuel savings.

      It will also allow you to take an instructor up as long as you do not violate gross weight.

      Cheers

      Roscoe
      Yankee-Aviation.com
      513-519-7008

    • May 4, 2016 at 19:01 #4844
      Zachary Voorhees
      Participant

      Roscoe,

      Thanks for the prompt reply! .. and the offer to help find a plane.

      I am looking for a Grumman 2 seater. Not really picky about which model.
      Mission Requirements
      – 150-160hp
      – less than 1000 SMOH hours
      – less than 2000TTAF
      – less than $18.5k

      – IFR preferred – not required

    • May 4, 2016 at 21:09 #4847
      Roscoe Rosché
      Keymaster

      With the big engine in the 2-seater, the engine does not work nearly as hard as in the 4-seaters. Less weight, lower prop pitch or the same.

      On the airframe, good luck with a low time airframe. They do not have any time limit components. There were flown a bunch when they first came out. Just sold a 2000 (1964.8 TTAF) Yankee that sat for years. Took a lot to restore her.

      Yankee #2 has 1800 hours and has not flown since 1976 when she was taken down for the 160 upgrade that never came.

      I have to go pickup another low time yankee that has sat outside for 24 years and not turn over once. Low time? Choose wisely.

      Do not fall into the trap of thinking to get a project, put some love into it and have a nice plane. Buy the best plane you can afford, trust me on this one. A cheap plane will need work and love everytime you go to fly her. Start thinking maintenance rating.

    • May 4, 2016 at 22:20 #4859
      Zachary Voorhees
      Participant

      Went and looked at this bird over the weekend. Good bones just needed some work.

      https://www.barnstormers.com/classified_1129154_1973+Grumman+AA1B.html

      Needed
      mags
      Paint not signed off by ap
      Mode c issue
      450hrs smoh but it was done in 2001
      Needs oil filter – chip detector has issues.

      Not sure how much that all would cost from a reputable ap/ia

      Then there is this one that looks great but is a bit on the high side…
      https://www.barnstormers.com/classified_1117625_160+HP++Grumman+Yankee.html

      Thoughts?

      Thanks in advance,

    • May 8, 2016 at 20:43 #4903
      Zachary Voorhees
      Participant

      Going to look at this one on Thursday, anyone have any thoughts? Seller is asking 17.3k

      If everything checks out and the mechanic agrees everything is in order, I’ll be flying it home.

      http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/for/5562611519.html

      Yankee

    • May 8, 2016 at 21:02 #4904
      Roscoe Rosché
      Keymaster

      From the angle of the shots I cannot see what prop clearance you might have. Turn the prop till a tip is close to ground and see what the measurement is. You would like 11 or so.

      Some of the STCs for the big engine require installing a Tiger nose strut.

      Cheers

      Roscoe

    • May 8, 2016 at 21:16 #4905
      Zachary Voorhees
      Participant

      Thanks, will definitely look into that.

      Other than ground clearance, does this look to be on par with other planes price wise?

      Any immediate deal-breakers I might find upon first inspection?

      I really appreciate the help, I find myself crawling though google to find answers to questions I haven’t even thought to ask.

    • May 8, 2016 at 23:36 #4906
      Roscoe Rosché
      Keymaster

      Zachary,

      Give me a call tomorrow. You should get a good pre-purchase by someone who knows what to look for. FYI. We’re in the same time zone.

      Cheers

      Roscoe
      513-519-7008

    • June 5, 2016 at 12:39 #5363
      Dennis Thomas
      Participant

      Zack,I just bought AA1A with 0235-108hp and I will tell you it’s a single place airplane.with two on board and have tanks warm day it climbs at 150 maybe 200 feet pm, it’s fun airplane for one!i suggest the 0320 it will be worth the money!

    • June 5, 2016 at 14:19 #5364
      Zachary Voorhees
      Participant

      Dennis,

      First off, I apologize for not updating this thread earlier. I posted in the Restoration forums as I am knee deep replacing the entire radio stack.

      As of 3 weeks ago, I am the proud owner of a Yankee Clipper AA1 N5942L (pictured above) with the laminar flow wing and a 150hp O-320 lycomming.

      Full fuel (22gal) and 2 adults at max gross my plane climbs EASILY at 1000ft/min in sunny 90 degree Florida. Cruise at 2400RPM gets 130mph at 8-9gal/hr. Solo flight with full tanks is 1600-1700 ft/min.

      I am glad I decided to get the O320 as I have heard rumors about the O235’s and climb performance.

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