Grumman Tiger Buyer's Guide: AA-5B vs AG-5B, Inspection Points and Loan Math
For pilots who want a fast, simple, fixed-gear four-seater and are deciding between an original AA-5B and a later AG-5B.
The Grumman Tiger is the 180-hp member of the AA-5 family, with a sliding canopy, bonded aluminum airframe and a reputation for speed on modest fuel. This guide covers who it suits, the AA-5B and AG-5B differences, what to inspect and what the loan looks like. The 150-hp Traveler and Cheetah are covered in the AA-5 and AA-5A buyer's guide.
Who is the Grumman Tiger right for?
Wikipedia lists a 2,400 lb gross weight and roughly 52 gallons of fuel for the AA-5B; AvBrief puts useful load around 900 lb and endurance around four hours. The book cruise is 139 knots, though AvBrief notes owners see closer to 130. That's why owners compare it with retractable-gear airplanes rather than a 172.
| Good fit if you… | Poor fit if you… |
|---|---|
| Want speed per dollar without retractable-gear insurance and maintenance | Need to carry four large adults with full fuel and bags |
| Fly two to three people on 300- to 500-mile trips | Operate from short, rough or soft strips |
| Enjoy crisp handling and an open-canopy taxi | Don't want to learn a castering nosewheel and differential braking |
| Have access to a mechanic who knows Grummans | Want any local shop to maintain it without type knowledge |
If a Tiger's price is the stretch, a Cheetah offers the same airframe on 150 hp. If you want the most forgiving 180-hp fixed-gear airplane with the widest shop support, look at the Piper Archer.
AA-5B vs AG-5B: which Tiger should you buy?
| Item | AA-5B Tiger | AG-5B Tiger |
|---|---|---|
| Built | Late 1974 (1975 model) to 1979; about 1,323; later years as Gulfstream American | American General 1990-1993 (about 181); Tiger Aircraft 2001-2006 (about 51) |
| Engine | Lycoming O-360-A4K, 180 hp | 180 hp Lycoming |
| Electrical | 14-volt | 28-volt |
| Other changes | Original design | Split nose cowling; aerodynamic refinements (book cruise 143 knots vs 139) |
| Asking prices, Sept 2026 | Mostly about $115,000-$185,000 | One 1991 example at $174,900; later builds rare |
Sources: Wikipedia (AA-5); AvBrief; listings on Controller.com and Barnstormers.
Decision rule: most of a Tiger's value is in engine time, panel and corrosion-free structure, not in the letter. An AA-5B with a fresh engine and a modern panel is often a better buy than a tired AG-5B. Pay the AG-5B premium when you want the 28-volt system and a newer airframe, and when the price gap is covered by condition.
What will a Tiger cost to buy and finance?
Listings in September 2026 put most AA-5Bs between about $115,000 and $185,000, with a neglected outlier well below that. Treat these as asking prices and verify with Vref or Aircraft Bluebook. AOPA's lenders ask for at least 15% down on post-1960 singles and offer 20-year terms on loans of $75,000 or more, which most Tiger loans exceed. Rates as of September 2026 generally start around 7% (FLYING Finance lists 7.01% for certified pistons) and run to about 10%; the examples below use an illustrative 7.75%.
| Example | Price | 15% down | Loan | 15 years | 20 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA-5B Tiger | $145,000 | $21,750 | $123,250 | $1,160/mo | $1,012/mo |
| AG-5B Tiger | $185,000 | $27,750 | $157,250 | $1,480/mo | $1,291/mo |
| Term | 7.25% APR | 8.25% APR | 9.25% APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 years (180 mo) | $1,125/mo | $1,196/mo | $1,268/mo |
| 20 years (240 mo) | $974/mo | $1,050/mo | $1,129/mo |
Loan amount $123,250. Principal and interest only; excludes insurance, taxes and fees. Illustrative, not a quote.
At an assumed 9.5 gph and the AirNav national 100LL average of $7.24/gal (September 2026), fuel is about $68.78 an hour. The complete annual budget is on the Grumman Tiger cost of ownership page.
Found a Tiger worth buying?
Share the airplane and your timeline. A financing specialist will come back with rate, term and down-payment options from lenders in our network.
What should a Grumman Tiger pre-buy cover?
Use a mechanic who knows Grummans and works from a Grumman-specific checklist. Add these to the general pre-buy inspection checklist:
| Area | What to check |
|---|---|
| Wing spar and structure | Spar corrosion (a priority item, per AvBrief); delamination and corrosion at bonded seams and on control surfaces |
| Nose gear | Fork corrosion (AvBrief notes the part is no longer made), shimmy causes, the nose gear tube, and any prop-strike history |
| Main gear | Fiberglass legs and attach points for cracks or delamination |
| Fuel tanks | Wet-wing leaks and sealant condition; stains at the wing roots |
| Canopy and flaps | Canopy tracks, seals, warping and latches; flap switch operation |
| Electrical (AG-5B) | 28-volt components and parts sourcing for AG-5B-specific items |
| Engine and propeller | O-360 time since overhaul against Lycoming's published TBO (see SMOH vs TBO); compressions, borescope, oil analysis; propeller make and hub-inspection history |
ADs. AvBrief lists ADs AA-5 series buyers will see: a 100-hour aileron inspection that an approved alternative method of compliance can eliminate, a recurring hub inspection on certain McCauley propellers (which a Sensenich propeller installed under STC eliminates), and fuel-tank sealant. That's a starting point, not a complete list. Have your mechanic run a full AD search on the airframe, engine and propeller serial numbers, and read the records with the logbook review guide.
What does a Tiger cost to insure?
Fixed gear and a fixed-pitch prop keep the Tiger out of the complex and high-performance categories that raise premiums. There's no verified 2026 Tiger premium benchmark, and the broader market has been stable to softening for experienced piston owners (BWI, May 2026). For context only, BWI's March 2026 Cessna 172 figures run $1,200-$2,500 a year for a 250+ hour private owner with an $80,000-$150,000 hull. A Tiger's faster, low-wing handling means underwriters look for Grumman time or a checkout. Lenders require hull coverage naming them as loss payee; see aircraft loan insurance requirements.
Some Tigers may qualify for sport pilots under MOSAIC; check the POH for the clean stall speed (VS1) at maximum weight in calibrated airspeed. See MOSAIC light-sport rules and financing.
First-year ownership notes for a new Tiger owner
- Fly a Grumman checkout. Focus on approach speed (Tigers float when fast), avoiding nosewheel-first landings, and differential-brake taxiing.
- Line up parts and knowledge. True Flight holds the type certificates; FletchAir and owner groups such as the Grumman Owners and Pilots Association are the usual starting points.
- Plan the first annual with a Grumman-specific checklist and, ideally, the mechanic who did the pre-buy.
- Budget for the canopy and seals. Water intrusion is easier to fix before it reaches avionics and interior.
- Register the airplane. Registration is valid for seven years and costs $5; the temporary "pink copy" works within the U.S. only until the certificate arrives.
How this guide differs from related guides
This page covers the Tiger buying decision. Specs and generated payment examples are on the AA-5B Tiger page. The annual budget is on the Tiger cost of ownership page, with the Traveler and Cheetah compared on the AA-5 series cost page. For requirements that apply to any aircraft loan, see aircraft loan requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the AA-5B and the AG-5B Tiger?
The AA-5B was built from late 1974 (as a 1975 model) through 1979. The AG-5B was built by American General from 1990 to 1993 and by Tiger Aircraft from 2001 to 2006. It added a 28-volt electrical system in place of the older 14-volt system, a split nose cowling and aerodynamic tweaks that raised book cruise from 139 to 143 knots.
How much does a used Grumman Tiger cost?
AA-5B Tigers on Controller.com and Barnstormers in September 2026 were mostly asking about $115,000 to $185,000, driven by engine time, panel and paint. A 1991 AG-5B was asking $174,900. Later Tiger Aircraft builds are rare and priced individually. These are asking prices; verify with Vref or Aircraft Bluebook and sold comparables.
Does a Grumman Tiger need a high-performance endorsement?
No. The Tiger has a 180-hp Lycoming O-360-A4K, fixed tricycle gear and a fixed-pitch propeller, so it needs neither a high-performance endorsement (more than 200 hp) nor a complex endorsement. Insurers will still want to see low-wing and Grumman-specific time, so plan on a checkout with an instructor who knows the type.
Can I finance a Grumman Tiger over 20 years?
Often, yes. AOPA's lenders offer 20-year terms on single-engine loans of $75,000 or more, and most Tiger loans clear that line. With 15% down on a $145,000 AA-5B, a $123,250 loan at 7.75% is about $1,012 a month over 20 years or $1,160 over 15 years.
Is a Grumman Tiger faster than a Piper Archer?
Usually, yes, on the same 180 hp. The Tiger book cruise is 139 knots for the AA-5B, although AvBrief notes owners tend to see closer to 130 knots. The Archer is heavier, more docile and serviced by more shops. Pick the Tiger for speed and handling, the Archer for broader maintenance support.
Can a sport pilot fly a Grumman Tiger?
Possibly. Since October 22, 2025, a sport pilot may fly any airplane with a clean stall speed (VS1) of 59 knots CAS or less at maximum takeoff weight, with up to four seats but one passenger. Some Tigers may qualify; check the POH stall-speed data for the specific model, converted to calibrated airspeed.
Last reviewed September 27, 2026. Rates and rules change; see our editorial standards.