Grumman AA-5A Cheetah
Lycoming O-320-E2G, 150 hp
The Grumman AA-5A Cheetah is the refined four-seat Grumman. Production ran from 1976 to 1979 with about 900 built. The Cheetah replaced the AA-5 Traveler with aerodynamic refinements, improved cabin, and updated interior. Same Lycoming O-320-E2G engine at 150 horsepower. Same bonded-honeycomb wing construction. The Cheetah delivers meaningfully better cruise speed and cabin comfort than the Traveler at modest acquisition premium.
Used market prices in mid-2026 run $50,000 to $105,000 for flyable Cheetahs depending on engine status, panel condition, and bonded-wing inspection history. The Cheetah trades meaningfully above the Traveler and slightly below the higher-power Tiger (AA-5B). For four-seat Grumman buyers who don't need the Tiger's 180 hp, the Cheetah is the practical sweet spot. American Yankee Association covers the Cheetah. This page covers what an AA-5A Cheetah actually costs to own.
History
Grumman American introduced the AA-5A Cheetah in 1976 as the refined successor to the AA-5 Traveler. The major changes were aerodynamic: the Cheetah added a longer dorsal fin, redesigned cowl, refined wing fillet, and improved cabin trim. Same Lycoming O-320 engine and same bonded-honeycomb wing carry over from the Traveler. The combination of refinements delivered roughly 5 to 8 knots additional cruise speed on the same fuel burn.
Production ran from 1976 to 1979 in parallel with the higher-power AA-5B Tiger. About 900 Cheetahs were built. American General Aircraft Corp (the renamed entity that took over from Grumman American) continued limited production through 1979 before consolidating on the Tiger variant. The Cheetah became a used-market-only buy after 1979.
The Cheetah fleet has remained popular with Grumman enthusiasts who specifically want the four-seat capability and refined cabin without paying the Tiger's price premium. American Yankee Association (AYA) provides comprehensive type-club support including bonded-wing inspection guidance shared across the AA-5 family.
Variants
Grumman AA-5A Cheetah (1976-1979)
1976-1979Refined AA-5 Traveler successor. Aerodynamic improvements, better cabin, same 150 hp engine. Used market $50,000 to $105,000.
Performance
The AA-5A Cheetah cruises at about 130 KTAS at 75% power, burning 8 gph of 100LL. At long-range cruise (65%), the airplane drops to about 120 KTAS on 7 gph. The Cheetah is about 5 to 8 knots faster than the Traveler at the same fuel burn due to the aerodynamic refinements. Performance is competitive with the Cessna 172 (faster) and the Cherokee 180 (slightly slower).
Useful load on a Cheetah is about 870 to 920 pounds, similar to the Traveler. Full fuel (38 gallons usable) leaves about 640 to 690 pounds for people and bags. Four adults of typical weight plus light luggage fits within gross with reasonable loading. Range with reserves is about 550 nm at long-range cruise. The Cheetah's cabin refinements over the Traveler make four-up cross-country meaningfully more comfortable.
Powerplant
The Lycoming O-320-E2G is the engine on every AA-5A Cheetah. Same engine as the AA-5 Traveler. Four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, direct-drive, carbureted piston rated at 150 hp at 2,700 RPM. Lycoming's published TBO is 2,000 hours per Lycoming Service Instruction 1009 BE.
Field overhauls at Penn Yan, Gann Aviation, or other reputable Lycoming shops run $28,000 to $40,000 in 2026 prices. Same overhaul economics as the Traveler.
Oil consumption on a healthy O-320 runs about 0.15 to 0.25 quarts per hour. The Sensenich fixed-pitch metal propeller has no formal TBO.
Cost of ownership
Plan on $115 to $165 per flight hour at 100 hours a year of utilization, all-in. Essentially identical operating economics to the Traveler. Fuel and oil run about $44 to $58 per hour at 8 gph. Engine overhaul reserve $14 to $20 per hour. Airframe maintenance reserve $12 to $22 per hour due to bonded-wing inspection.
Annual fixed costs add another $35 to $65 per hour at 100 hours a year. Insurance friendly. First-time owners pay $1,800 to $3,500 a year.
Acquisition cost in mid-2026: A Cheetah with mid-time engine runs $50,000 to $80,000. A Cheetah with fresh engine and modern Garmin panel runs $75,000 to $105,000. The Cheetah trades $15,000 to $25,000 above comparable Travelers for the refinements.
AYA membership is essential. Annual dues run about $50.
| Fixed cost | Range | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Hangar (smaller field) | $200–$450 | monthly |
| Annual inspection (bonded wing) | $1,500–$3,500 | annual |
| Insurance (typical owner) | $1,800–$3,500 | annual |
| AYA dues | $45–$55 | annual |
Estimate the cost for your situation
Defaults are pre-filled for the Grumman AA-5A Cheetah. Tweak fuel price, hangar, insurance, and hours to match your scenario.
Common issues & gotchas
Bonded-honeycomb wing inspection
highSame bonded-wing concerns as other AA-5 variants. Delamination is documented issue. Pre-buy by AYA-recommended shop essential.
Aging airframe corrosion
moderate1976-1979 production aircraft are 46 to 49 years old. Bonded construction has specific aging characteristics.
Sliding canopy seal aging
moderateCanopy seals deteriorate with age. Parts can be slow to source.
Original avionics generation
moderateMost Cheetahs panel-upgraded. Pre-buy inspection essential.
Tiger envy
lowSome Cheetah owners eventually wish they had bought the higher-power Tiger. Pre-buy should consider whether the Tiger's additional 30 hp would meaningfully change your mission profile.
Parts availability
moderateEngine parts universal. Grumman-specific airframe parts can have longer lead times. AYA provides parts sourcing.
Who it's for
Good fit for
- ✓ Four-seat Grumman buyers who want the Traveler's value with refined cabin and slight performance boost
- ✓ Pilots cross-shopping the AA-5 Traveler who can stretch budget for the refinements
- ✓ Time-builders wanting four-seat training time at moderate acquisition cost
- ✓ Owners committed to AYA membership and bonded-wing inspection
Less good for
- ✗ Buyers who can stretch to the Tiger AA-5B with 30 more horsepower
- ✗ Pilots wanting maximum fleet support (Cessna 172 alternatives have stronger network)
- ✗ Owners concerned about bonded-wing aging on 46-49 year old airframes
The verdict
The Cheetah is the refined four-seat Grumman that the Traveler should have been from the start. Same Lycoming O-320 engine. Same bonded-wing construction. Better cabin, slightly faster cruise, more refined airframe details. For buyers who want a four-seat Grumman at moderate cost and don't need the Tiger's 180 hp, the Cheetah is the practical sweet spot.
But the Cheetah is positioned between the Traveler (cheaper) and the Tiger (more capable). For buyers wanting the cheapest four-seat Grumman, the Traveler delivers similar capability at $15,000 to $25,000 less. For buyers wanting the best four-seat Grumman, the Tiger's 180 hp delivers meaningfully more capability for moderate premium over the Cheetah. The Cheetah wins as the in-between option for buyers who can't quite justify the Tiger but want the Traveler refinements.
Cross-shop these
- Grumman AA-5B Tiger →
Higher-power 180 hp Grumman. Meaningfully more capable. Modest acquisition premium.
- Grumman AA-5 Traveler →
Predecessor four-seat Grumman. Lower acquisition cost. Less refined.
- Grumman AA-1 Yankee →
Two-seat Grumman sibling. Lower cost. Less capability.
- piper-pa-28-181-archer-ii-iii
Piper four-seat alternative. Higher acquisition cost. Traditional construction.
- Cessna 172N Skyhawk →
Cessna four-seat alternative. Stronger fleet support.
Type club
American Yankee Association (AYA) →Type club for all AA-series Grummans. Annual dues $50. Essential bonded-wing inspection guidance and Grumman-specific knowledge.
Frequently asked
How much does an AA-5A Cheetah cost? +
Used market in mid-2026: $50,000 to $80,000 for Cheetahs with mid-time engines, $75,000 to $105,000 for aircraft with fresh engines and panel upgrades.
What's the typical fuel burn for a Cheetah? +
About 8 gph of 100LL at 75% cruise, 7 gph at long-range cruise. Same Lycoming O-320 as the Traveler with slightly better cruise speed.
Cheetah vs Tiger: which should I buy? +
The Tiger (AA-5B) has a 180 hp Lycoming O-360 instead of the Cheetah's 150 hp O-320. The Tiger cruises about 15 knots faster on similar fuel burn and has meaningfully better climb performance. It trades $15,000 to $30,000 above a comparable Cheetah. For most buyers wanting four-seat Grumman performance, the Tiger is the better long-term choice.
Cheetah vs Traveler: which should I buy? +
The Cheetah has aerodynamic refinements, slightly faster cruise (5-8 knots), and more refined cabin. The Traveler trades $15,000 to $25,000 cheaper. For buyers who can stretch budget, the Cheetah's refinements pay off. For budget buyers, the Traveler is the cheaper path into a four-seat Grumman.
What's the engine overhaul cost on a Cheetah? +
Plan on $28,000 to $40,000 for a Lycoming O-320 field overhaul. Same as the Traveler.
Is the Cheetah a good first airplane? +
Yes for buyers who specifically want a four-seat Grumman. The Cheetah is friendly to fly, has refined cabin, and is well-supported by AYA. Bonded-wing inspection is the main ownership consideration.
Data sources
- Engine: AYA AA-5A Cheetah page
- Fuel burn 65%: Plane & Pilot 1978 AA5A Cheetah
- Fuel burn 75%: Plane & Pilot Cheetah + AYA
- Oil consumption: Lycoming O-320 operator's manual
- Engine TBO: Lycoming SI 1009 BE (Apr 24 2020)
- Prop TBO: Sensenich Fix-Pitch Metal Care manual
- Engine overhaul: Flying411 Lycoming O-Series overhaul cost
- Prop overhaul: POA fixed-pitch prop costs
- Airframe reserve: AOPA Guidelines for Estimating Direct Operating Costs