Four Decades of Purebred Flying Passion.

1962 – Legendary designer James Bede designs the forerunner to today’s Tiger—the BD-1, a two-seater with interchangeable wings and horizontal stabilizer components.

1964 – Bede sells the BD-1 design to American Aviation and stays on as a consultant for the production of the plane.

1969 – Bede’s design debuts as American Aviation’s AA-1 Yankee. The AA-1 is the forerunner of the AA-5 series (including the Traveler, the Cheetah, and the Tiger).

1974 – Military fighter-plane manufacturer Grumman Aircraft buys American Aviation, and the company is renamed Grumman American. The company begins producing the AA-5 Traveler, a modified version of the AA-1.

1975 – The Tiger is born. Grumman’s engineers put their experience building naval fighters to work in designing enhancements to the AA-5 design. Based on their changes, Grumman replaces the AA-5 Traveler with the AA-5B Tiger, which boasts a larger engine (180 hp), a higher cruise speed (143 knots), and room for four.

1978 – Grumman sells its small aircraft division to Gulfstream Aerospace, who continues production of the Tiger.

1989 – American General Aircraft Corporation purchases the Tiger design from Gulfstream and produces the plane under the model number AG-5B, with some technological advances incorporated.

1999 – Tiger Aircraft, LLC begins plans for production of the AG-5B Tiger. A new construction facility is built in Martinsburg, WV.

2001 – In a much-anticipated celebration, Tiger Aircraft announces the Type Certification for the new Tiger AG-5B, and new Tigers begin to roll off the assembly line.

2002 – Adding to its achievements, Tiger Aircraft earns the FAA Production Certificate for the Tiger AG-5B. This is the first Production Certificate granted by the Northeast FAA in 23 years. The fleet of about 1800 previously produced Tigers will now begin to welcome new flying partners.