Socata TB
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The Socata TB aircraft series are light single engine piston aircraft manufactured by Socata and designed in the late 1970s. All aircraft (with the exception of the TB-9) have a variable pitch propeller and they were the first of this class in Europe at the time. The TB series have become widely used instruction and travel aircraft and are often used for instrument training.
The letters TB in the name stand for Tarbes, a city in the south of France where the aircraft is manufactured.
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[edit] Aircraft
The TB series consists of five aircraft:
- TB-9 Tampico GT
- TB-10 Tobago GT
- TB-200 Tobago XL GT
- TB-20 Trinidad GT
- TB-21 Trinidad TC GT
The aircraft are all very similar looking both inside and out but only the TB-20 and TB-21 have a retractable gear. Probably the biggest difference between the models is the engine power which increases from 160hp for the TB-9, 180hp for the TB-10, 200hp for the TB-200 and to 250hp on the TB-20 and 21. The only difference between the TB-20 and the TB-21 is that the latter is turbocharged, hence the letters TC. All models have a constant-speed propeller except for the TB-9, which has a fixed pitch propeller. On the fixed gear models, the landing gear fairings are optional.
The TB-30 Epsilon is a military training aircraft manufactured by Socata in the past and is not related to the other TB aircraft. The TB-31 Omega is an improved version of this aircraft, however it was never put in production. The TB-360 Tangara was a light twin engined propellor aircraft based on the Gulfstream Cougar, but it also never entered production.
[edit] History and future
Design work on the TB series began in the mid 1970s to replace Socata's successful Rallye series of aircraft. The TB-20 model was certified in France on December 18, 1980. The first delivery to a customer happened in March 1981 in Germany. All aircraft in the series were modernised in 2000 and as a result the letters GT were added (GT standing for Generation Two). The GT versions have a bigger cabin and aerodynamic improvements. The most noticeable differences between the first and second generation models are the wing tips, which are rounder on the older models, and the vertical stabilizer, which is curved on the lower front on the GT models. The looks of the rear windows has also changed, being more blended with the hull on the GT models.
Plans are to move the production of the TB-20 and TB-21 models, together with a new model now only known as the TB-2X, to Romania. Possibly, the move will also result in an avionics upgrade for these models. TB-2X is the working name of a new model that will most likely be similar to the TB-20 Trinidad, but will use a diesel engine.
[edit] Specifications
Specifications given are for the TB-20 model.
[edit] General characteristics
- Crew: 1 (pilot)
- Passengers: 3 or 4
- Powerplant: Lycoming IO-540 6 cylinder rated at 250 HP
- Wing span: 9,97m
- Wing area: 11,90 square meters
- Length: 7,75m
- Height: 2,85m
- Empty weight: 900kg
- Loaded maximum: 1400kg
[edit] Performance
- Take off distance: 505m
- Landing distance: 460m
- Cruise speed: 163kts
- Ceiling: 20.000ft
- Climb rate: 1200ft/min
- Range: 1290km
