Why is the AA5 Cheetah utility category?

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    • October 3, 2020 at 14:17 #14764
      Virgil Royer
      Participant

      During my commercial checkride, the DPE asked me: “why does your Cheetah have a utility category if that category doesn’t add any additional maneuvers to what the plane is capable of performing without flying in utility category?” Anyone know the answer? And is there a way to get my Cheetah certified for spins? Thanks!

    • October 4, 2020 at 02:36 #14767
      Roscoe Rosché
      Keymaster

      As to the certification of a Cheetah for spins, No would be the answer.

    • October 4, 2020 at 07:03 #14768
      Jerry Getsay
      Participant

      Look at your weight and balance envelope in the POH. You must be in the Utility category box to do those maneuvers. DO NOT ATTEMPT A SPIN. THIS AIRPLANE SPINS VERY FLAT AND SOMETIMES FLIPS OVER. IT NEVER REGAINS FLYING SPEED SO YOUR FLIGHT CONTROLS ARE INEFFECTIVE. YOU WOULD ONLY GET TO SPIN THAT AIRPLANE ONCE.

    • October 10, 2020 at 19:59 #14816
      Virgil Royer
      Participant

      I checked the POH, and I’m still confused. I uploaded a picture of the page from my POH. It appears to me that the maneuvers and maneuvering speed for such listed in the “normal” category are the same for the “utility” category. So, again, why is there a utility category if all of the same maneuvers can be done in the normal category?

      I appreciate the information about spins – I was not planning to attempt one, but was curious. I will continue to avoid spins like the plague – thanks!

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    • October 10, 2020 at 21:27 #14819
      Jerry Getsay
      Participant

      In the Normal Category, all maneuvers are limited to a bank angle of 60 degrees. In the Utility Category, the bank angle is NOT limited to 60 degrees.
      Please look at a 1973 AA5 Traveler POH, Section IV, page 1. It is explained more clearly in the AA5 POH.

    • October 12, 2020 at 08:28 #14825
      Virgil Royer
      Participant

      Thanks!

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