True Flight's Tiger

Tiger AG-5B: 18 March 2008

As I was wandering about campus, I happened to pass by the NTAS (National Training Aircraft Symposium) mini-convention being held. Immediately upon entering I could feel both the professionalism and the friendliness of everyone there. Even though I was just a student, they all treated me very well. The Tiger, which was previously owned by Grumman American, is now owned by True Flight Aerospace. I won't get into the company history, because we all know you're here to read about the actual flying of this amazing machine.

I was privileged enough to ride in the Tiger AG-5B. For those who haven't been in one, I highly suggest at least a demo ride. You'll be surprised at the comfort and control. Plus, the sliding cockpit is amazing, and makes you want to travel back in time to be a World War II fighter pilot.

The first thing you notice about the Tiger AG-5B is the sliding canopy. I think it looks really nice. Preflight is really easy and quick. The engine is incredibly easy to inspect, as it pops open on the sides like the hood of your car. And wow are you able to actually inspect the engine. It's like having the cowling removed without removing all the rivets or asking an A&P for help. Sure beats looking through a keyhole that you can barely get to the oil stick, never mind checking everything else inside. As I was about to enter the cockpit, I was informed that the seat cushion rotated vertically. With this feature, I was able to enter the cockpit without stepping on the actual cushion, or having to contort my body to avoid it. The Tiger I was riding in was equipped with the Garmin's G1000 system, and we promptly booted up.

It taxis smoothly, and can turn within it's own radius. No rocking out with the head bobbing as you pump the brakes to make a tight turn. We accelerated to rotation speed, and from there, climb out was normal for a light single engine aircraft.

Cruise went very smoothly. This is an aircraft that really enjoys straight and level flight. I didn't apply much trim, and it leveled off and stayed level. If you're a cross-country traveler, this aircraft will hold altitude very easily, allowing you to watch for traffic, or so you can enjoy the view. Coming back it wanted to keep flying, and I admit that I wanted to keep flying too. If you're looking for a new trainer that will be easy for students, the stability of the Tiger is amazing. Cruise is faster than several other aircraft in its class, and we started out at 100 knots with almost no power, and were able to reach 140 knots easily without much increase in power.

I performed a few steep turns and other maneuvers, and it holds airspeed and altitude very smoothly, not like your traditional trainers. These turns weren't slow or sluggish at all, so combining the bubble canopy and the amazing maneuverability, I couldn't help myself from blurting out "Too close for missiles, switching to guns!"

And yes, for those who are wondering, I was privileged to fly the aircraft with the canopy open for a short time. I even got to ride the 'Tiger Roller Coaster', with my hands raised fully and extending outside the canopy. With the canopy open, nothing inside the cockpit was disturbed, yet the air flow was cool and refreshing. After that, I almost went out and purchased goggles and a scarf.

Coming back to land, we were encountering winds in the mid-20s with gusts. The AG-5B was stable, and I knew if I was in a different aircraft of the same type, it probably would have been much bumpier. Yet the Tiger is a very stable aircraft, and was able to punch through the turbulence and gusts for a very smooth landing. We taxied back and thanks to the turn radius of the Tiger, we pushed the power up a little and made a 180 on our parking spot, which was between two other aircraft represented at the NTAS convention.

If you're afraid of composite aircraft, due to potential issues with lightning strikes, or the testing of composite airframes for micro-fractures. Or as you look around, you may begin to notice that many of today's new composite airframes have a life limit of 15,000 hours. If you plan on your aircraft being a part of your family for longer that that, or even want to resell it later on without calculating it's leftover life span's cost, the Tiger is your traditional tried and true metal, but with many new kicks.

With a useful load of 900 pounds, that's plenty for a short trip with four people. With full fuel, the payload decreases to just below 600 pounds, allowing you to carry three FAA-regulation adults weighing 170 pounds each, along with 90 pounds of baggage. If you're taking kids, you'll be able to fit even more.

The Tiger AG-5B is an aircraft that really is fun to fly. Granted, I think every aircraft is fun to fly, and some aircraft are inherently more fun than others. This is one of those aircraft that is more fun than many others. And with the canopy offering great visibility, safety factor increases, and so does the amazing view of the world around you.




(c) 2008 Sean Livingston