The Grumman Tiger stands out as a versatile aircraft that’s caught the attention of pilots and aviation enthusiasts alike. Known for its impressive performance capabilities, this four-seat aircraft offers a practical balance between power and payload capacity.
Understanding the useful load of a Grumman Tiger is crucial for pilots planning their flights. This critical specification determines how much weight the aircraft can safely carry in terms of passengers, fuel, and cargo after accounting for the empty weight. While the standard model provides reliable performance, actual load capacities can vary based on specific modifications and equipment installations.
Grumman Tiger Useful Load
The Grumman Tiger’s useful load capacity ranges from 850 to 900 pounds, depending on the specific model year and modifications. This load calculation includes passengers, fuel, baggage and any additional equipment installed after manufacture.
Basic Load Components
- Fuel weight: 50 gallons maximum at 6 pounds per gallon
- Pilot and passenger weight: Standard FAA calculation of 170 pounds per person
- Baggage area capacity: 120 pounds maximum
- Front seat limit: 400 pounds combined
- Rear seat limit: 340 pounds combined
Weight Distribution Table
| Component | Maximum Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| Front Seats | 400 |
| Rear Seats | 340 |
| Baggage Area | 120 |
| Fuel (50 gal) | 300 |
Critical Loading Factors
- Center of gravity remains within limits when loaded properly
- Forward baggage compartment affects balance less than rear storage
- Full fuel reduces available payload by 300 pounds
- Operating altitude impacts useful load performance
- Temperature variations affect load-carrying capability
| Condition | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| Empty Weight | 1,500 |
| Maximum Takeoff | 2,400 |
| Available Load | 900 |
| Full Fuel Load | -300 |
| Remaining Capacity | 600 |
The aircraft maintains optimal performance when loaded within these specified limits. Pilots monitor weight distribution through load charts provided in the aircraft’s operating handbook to ensure safe operation.
Standard Empty Weight Specifications
The Grumman Tiger’s standard empty weight ranges from 1,460 to 1,500 pounds, depending on the production year and factory configuration. This weight includes all components installed by the manufacturer during initial aircraft assembly.
Factory Empty Weight Components
- Basic airframe structure: 780 pounds (fuselage, wings, empennage)
- Power plant assembly: 285 pounds (engine, propeller, mounting hardware)
- Flight control systems: 65 pounds (cables, pulleys, surfaces)
- Electrical system: 45 pounds (wiring, battery, alternator)
- Fuel system: 35 pounds (tanks, lines, pumps)
- Standard instrumentation: 55 pounds (basic flight instruments)
- Interior components: 95 pounds (seats, trim, controls)
- IFR avionics package: +35 to 45 pounds
- Air conditioning system: +28 pounds
- Autopilot installation: +12 pounds
- Additional radio equipment: +8 to 15 pounds
- Wheel fairings: +6 pounds
- External antennas: +2 to 4 pounds
- Interior upgrades: +5 to 15 pounds
| Equipment Type | Weight Impact (lbs) |
|---|---|
| Basic Empty Weight | 1,460-1,500 |
| IFR Package | 35-45 |
| Air Conditioning | 28 |
| Autopilot | 12 |
| Radio Equipment | 8-15 |
| Wheel Fairings | 6 |
| Antennas | 2-4 |
| Interior Upgrades | 5-15 |
Maximum Gross Weight Limitations
The Grumman Tiger’s maximum gross weight is 2,400 pounds, establishing the total permissible weight for safe operation. This limitation ensures structural integrity during all phases of flight.
Weight and Balance Considerations
The Grumman Tiger’s weight and balance calculations focus on three critical areas:
- Center of Gravity (CG) Range
- Forward limit: 82.0 inches aft of datum
- Aft limit: 86.0 inches aft of datum
- Datum point: Located at firewall
- Loading Stations
- Pilot seats: Maximum 340 pounds combined
- Rear seats: Maximum 340 pounds combined
- Baggage compartment: 120 pounds maximum
| Weight Distribution Points | Distance from Datum | Maximum Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Front Seats | 85.5 inches | 340 lbs |
| Rear Seats | 118.1 inches | 340 lbs |
| Baggage Area | 142.8 inches | 120 lbs |
| Fuel Tanks | 95.0 inches | 300 lbs |
- Operating Parameters
- Maintain CG within envelope during all flight phases
- Calculate fuel burn effect on CG location
- Monitor weight shifts during loading changes
- Account for fuel density variations with temperature
- Passenger seating arrangements
- Fuel load optimization
- Baggage placement
- Equipment installation locations
- Payload combinations
Practical Payload Capacity
The Grumman Tiger’s practical payload capacity requires strategic planning to maximize utility while maintaining safety margins. Operators balance fuel loads passenger weights baggage requirements to optimize each flight’s payload configuration.
Fuel vs Passenger Trade-offs
Full fuel tanks (50 gallons) in a Grumman Tiger consume 300 pounds of the useful load leaving 550-600 pounds for passengers baggage. A typical configuration includes:
- Reducing fuel load by 12 gallons enables carrying 4 adult passengers (170 pounds each)
- Flying with 2 adults allows maximum fuel plus 100 pounds of baggage
- Solo flights permit full fuel 120 pounds of baggage leaving 430 pounds reserve capacity
- Cross-country trips optimize with 35 gallons fuel 3 adults 50 pounds baggage
- Maximum baggage weight: 120 pounds
- Compartment dimensions: 36 inches wide 24 inches deep 18 inches tall
- Load distribution: 60 pounds per tie-down point
- Secured cargo requirements: Straps rated for 9G forward loads
- Access door size: 15.5 x 21 inches
- Loading height from ground: 42 inches
| Baggage Configuration | Maximum Weight | Distance from Datum |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Compartment | 120 lbs | 97 inches |
| Hat Shelf Area | 20 lbs | 108 inches |
| Under-Seat Storage | 10 lbs | 84 inches |
Real-World Loading Scenarios
The Grumman Tiger’s load flexibility accommodates various mission profiles through strategic weight distribution. Practical loading scenarios demonstrate how pilots maximize the aircraft’s utility while maintaining safety margins.
Two-Person Mission Planning
Two-person operations in the Grumman Tiger create optimal loading conditions with 680 pounds of available payload after accounting for pilot and passenger weight. This configuration enables:
- Full fuel capacity of 300 pounds (50 gallons)
- Maximum baggage load of 120 pounds
- Additional equipment storage in rear seats
- Extended range operations up to 720 nautical miles
- Balanced weight distribution near optimal CG location
| Two-Person Configuration | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| Standard Empty Weight | 1,480 |
| Two Adults (170 lbs each) | 340 |
| Full Fuel | 300 |
| Available Baggage | 120 |
| Remaining Margin | 160 |
- Reduced fuel load of 180 pounds (30 gallons)
- Limited baggage capacity of 60 pounds
- Strategic passenger placement for CG management
- Range reduction to 450 nautical miles
- Weight distribution across all four seats
| Full-Passenger Setup | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| Standard Empty Weight | 1,480 |
| Four Adults | 680 |
| Reduced Fuel | 180 |
| Limited Baggage | 60 |
| Total Weight | 2,400 |
Useful Load Modifications and Upgrades
Several modifications enhance the Grumman Tiger’s useful load capacity:
Structural Upgrades
- Robertson STOL kit adds 50 pounds to useful load through reinforced wing structure
- Vortex generators increase maximum takeoff weight by 75 pounds
- Wing tip extensions provide 25 pounds additional load capacity
Weight Reduction Options
- Carbon fiber cowling saves 15 pounds over stock aluminum
- Lightweight battery installation reduces weight by 12 pounds
- LED lighting conversion decreases electrical system weight by 3 pounds
- Composite propeller upgrade cuts 8 pounds from empty weight
Performance Enhancements
| Modification | Load Increase | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Power Flow Exhaust | 35 lbs | $3,500-4,500 |
| Gap Seals | 25 lbs | $1,200-1,800 |
| Speed Mods | 40 lbs | $2,800-3,500 |
STC Options
- Extended baggage compartment increases capacity by 30 pounds
- Fuel tank modification adds 10 gallons while maintaining weight limits
- Seat rail reinforcement allows maximum seat load increase of 25 pounds
- Cargo door modification enables larger item loading without weight penalty
- Digital avionics upgrades reduce panel weight by 10-15 pounds
- Modern instrumentation replacements save 5-8 pounds
- Removal of unused radio equipment recovers 3-5 pounds capacity
- Lightweight interior materials provide 12-pound reduction
Each modification requires proper documentation through Form 337 or appropriate STCs. Weight reduction modifications create additional payload capacity within the aircraft’s maximum gross weight limit of 2,400 pounds.
The Grumman Tiger stands out as a remarkably versatile aircraft with a well-designed useful load capacity that serves various flying needs. Understanding its weight limitations capacity distribution and loading configurations is crucial for safe and efficient operations.
Pilots who take time to master the Tiger’s loading characteristics can maximize its utility while maintaining safe operating margins. Whether flying solo with full fuel or carrying multiple passengers the aircraft delivers reliable performance when properly loaded within its design specifications.
With numerous modification options available owners can tailor their Tigers to meet specific mission requirements while maintaining strict adherence to weight and balance limitations.
