Cessna 150 vs Grumman AA-5B Tiger

The Grumman AA-5B Tiger (four-seat low-wing, 180 hp, ~140 kt) and Cessna 150 (two-seat trainer) / 172 (four-seat trainer, ~115 kt) are very different aircraft — the Tiger is a sporty low-wing four-seater; the 150/172 are the conventional Cessna trainers.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Cessna 150
For sale now
136
Median asking
$53,250
Range
$32,955–$91,808
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
34
Source marketplaces
13
Model years available
1959–1978
Grumman AA-5B Tiger
For sale now
21
Median asking
$122,350
Range
$93,309–$154,000
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
7
Source marketplaces
7
Model years available
1974–1979

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Generations Breakdown

Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.

Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.

Cessna 150 — 1 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale
172 O-320 150hp 1968–1976 Lycoming O-320-E2D 2300 120 585 105

Grumman AA-5B Tiger — 0 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale

Safety Record

Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.

NTSB (1982–now)Cessna 150Grumman AA-5B Tiger
All events3241
Serious351
Fatal427
Fatalities611
% Fatal13%

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 150 Grumman AA-5B Tiger
Cessna 150
View 140 listings →
Median $53,250
Grumman AA-5B Tiger
View 18 listings →
Median $122,350
Price Range $32,955 – $91,808 $93,309 – $154,000
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 2 4
Horsepower 100 HP
Cruise Speed 97 kts (180 km/h) 143 kts (265 km/h)
Range 420 nm (778 km) 681 nm (1,261 km)
Service Ceiling 14,000 ft (4,267 m)
Max Gross Weight 1,600 lbs (726 kg) 2,400 lbs (1,089 kg)
Useful Load 530 lbs (240 kg)
Fuel Capacity 26.0 gal (98 L)
Fuel Burn 6.0 GPH (23 L/h)
TBO 1,800 hrs
Overhaul Cost $25,000
Annual Fixed $15,000
Hourly Variable $100
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 150

Fuel$33/hr
Variable$100/hr
Annual Fixed$15,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $35,000/yr

Grumman AA-5B Tiger

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 150 or Grumman AA-5B Tiger?

Bottom line: Choose the Cessna 150/172 for the largest support network, proven Cessna economics and primary training. Choose the Tiger for higher cruise (~25 kt over the 172), sliding-canopy sport handling and a unique four-seat low-wing platform — accepting much smaller fleet and thinner support.

Pick the 150 if…

  • Budget matters — from $32,955 vs $93,309, you save ~$60,354.
  • More inventory — 140 listings vs 18.

Pick the AA-5B Tiger if…

  • More seats — 4 vs 2.
  • Faster cruise — 143 kts vs 97 kts.
  • Longer range — 681 nm vs 420 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1975 vs 1959.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Cessna 150 or Grumman AA-5B Tiger?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 150 cruises at 97 kts with 420 nm range. The AA-5B Tiger cruises at 143 kts with 681 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 150: from $56,000. Grumman AA-5B Tiger: from $122,350. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 150 and Grumman AA-5B Tiger?
150 engine: Continental O-200 (100 hp). AA-5B Tiger engine: Lycoming O-360-A4K. Seats: 2 vs 4. Cruise: 97 vs 143 kts. Range: 420 vs 681 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
150: about $100/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
150: 2 seats / 530 lb useful load. AA-5B Tiger: 4 seats. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
150: 1,800-hour TBO, overhaul ~$25,000. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data