Gulfstream American GA-7 Cougar
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The Gulfstream American GA-7 Cougar is an all-metal, 4-seat, light twin-engined aircraft. The Cougar was a twin-engine development of the Gulfstream American AA-5B Tiger and traces its lineage back to the AA-1 Yankee Clipper and the Bede BD-1
[edit] Development
Following Gulfstream Aerospace’s purchase of Grumman’s American light aircraft division in 1977 the company embarked on a policy of aircraft model development. During this time the other aircraft in the line, including the AA-1B Trainer and the AA-5B Tiger underwent extensive redesign.
The aircraft line Gulfstream then fielded included the redesigned AA-1C Lynx two seater, the Gulfstream American AA-5A Cheetah and the Gulfstream American AA-5B Tiger single engine aircraft. The line had good market acceptance and depth. The next obvious step was to develop a twin-engined aircraft to complete the line.
Gulfstream American’s engineering team designed the new twin based on the same honeycomb and bonded metal construction that had been the hallmarks of the line since the BD-1. The result was designated the GA-7 (for Gulfstream American) and was given the name Cougar in keeping with the existing Lynx, Cheetah and Tiger aircraft in the company's line.
The Cougar was intended for the flying school twin-engined trainer market and also as a personal use aircraft. The Cougar was powered by a pair of wing-mounted Lycoming O-320-D1D engines of 160 hp. It would carry four people at 160 knots cruise speed and was certified under FAR Part 23.
Production of the Cougar ran for just two model years, 1978 and 1979 before production was ceased. Just 115 Cougars were delivered.
Today the remaining Cougars that are still flying are prized for their combination of speed, range, simplicity of construction and ease of operation as well as their aesthetic appeal.
[edit] Aircraft Type Club
The GA-7 Cougar, along with the other American Aviation, Grumman American and Gulfstream American single engined aircraft are supported by an active aircraft type club, The American Yankee Association.
[edit] Specifications (Gulfstream American GA-7 Cougar)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Capacity: 3 passengers
- Length: 29 ft 7 in (9.0 m)
- Wingspan: 36 ft 9 in (11.2 m)
- Height: 10 ft 4 in (3.1 m)
- Wing area: 184 ft² (17 m²)
- Empty weight: 2,569 lb (1,163 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 3,800 lb (1,721 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Lycoming O-320-D1D flat four engines, 160 hp (119 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 160 knots (184 mph, 296 km/h)
- Range: 972 miles (1,555 km)
- Service ceiling: 17,400 ft (5,307 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,160 ft/min (354 m/min)
- Wing loading: 20.65 lb/ft² (101 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.08 hp/lb (0.14 kW/kg)
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