Gulfstream Aerospace Ga-7 Cougar

Twin Piston

The Gulfstream American GA-7 Cougar is a light twin-engine trainer developed in the late 1970s to fill the gap between single-engine aircraft and more complex twins. First flown in 1974 and certified in 1978, the Cougar was designed with a T-tail configuration and fixed tricycle landing gear, prioritizing docile handling characteristics over raw performance. Gulfstream American built 115 examples before production ended in 1979, making it a relatively rare type compared to competitors like the Piper Seminole or Beechcraft Duchess. Powered by two Lycoming O-320 engines producing 160 horsepower each, the Cougar cruises at around 140 knots and offers a useful load of approximately 1,200 pounds. Its benign stall characteristics and spacious cabin made it popular with flight schools teaching multi-engine ratings, though its fixed gear and modest speed limited its appeal in the owner-flown market. The type remains in service today primarily with flight training organizations and private owners who value its forgiving flight characteristics and relatively low operating costs for a twin. SkyMeter has tracked 143 flights across 60 airframes and 14 operators, with GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP the largest observed operator.