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From: rl@ucsfcgl.UUCP (Robert Langridge%CGL)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: Grumman AA1A information request
Message-ID: <601@ucsfcgl.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 5-Aug-85 13:20:23 EDT
Article-I.D.: ucsfcgl.601
Posted: Mon Aug  5 13:20:23 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 6-Aug-85 12:32:55 EDT
References: <3421@decwrl.UUCP>
Reply-To: rl@ucsfcgl.UUCP
Organization: UCSF Computer Graphics Lab
Lines: 44

In article <3421@decwrl.UUCP> savage@rainbo.DEC (Dennis DTN 282-2614) writes:
>
>	I am just about to finish up the private ticket and go on down for the
>test and someone has spoken to me about getting a Grumman AA1A. This is sure
>one jazzy looking plane with a full compliment of instrumentation for a seem-
>ingly good price but I have a few questions...
>
>	Being exposed only to a C-172 I am wondering what kind of flying 
>machine the Grumman is in comparison. I realize the low wings should exhibit
>a more enhanced float due to ground effect, but I can't seem to get anything
>else except from the seller (who is upgrading to a Mooney), as to how it flies.
>
>	So if any of you out there have some thing I should know before jumping
>in I would sure appreciate it.

I was hoping someone with more recent experience with the AA-1 would reply, my
18 hrs in type were 1972-4, but I enjoyed flying the plane so I recommend 
giving it serious consideration.  The low wing, sliding canopy configuration 
is a lot of fun, and it cruises about 15 kts better than a C-150.  It is a 
slippery beast compared to the C-172, the "flaps" are next to useless, 
and the castoring nose wheel can be exciting, so a detailed check-out with 
an instructor well-acquainted with the aircraft is strongly recommended.  
We had no major squawks, but you should obviously check out the AA-1 
maintenance history very carefully.

In case you're wondering why I only had 18 hrs in the AA-1 when I liked the 
plane, our other Princeton University club plane was a Beech A-23 Musketeer.  
(Four seats and REAL flaps :-) 

>	I also think some sort of regular reviews of some of the more popular
>private aircraft would be a good thing for this news group.

I agree, and if anyone has experience with any of the RAF plastic canards I'd
be interested to read their comments.

                 --|--                  
	*~~~~~~~~\bob/~~~~~~~~*
                  ^ ^

Bob Langridge				...ucbvax!ucsfcgl!rl (UUCP)
Computer Graphics Laboratory		
926 Medical Sciences			         rl@berkeley (ARPA)
University of California		       
San Francisco  CA  94143		     Phone: +1 415 666 2630