AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2017 - 36

PILOT BRIEFING
BUDGET BUY

VREF VALUE

Vref, which offers aircraft value
estimates for AOPA members,
suggests a base value for the
Socata TB10 Tobago of $32,000
for a 1985 model (the first
model year), and $165,000 for
a 2005 model, the last model
year. Both assume a mid-time
engine, no avionics upgrades,
and serviceable paint and
interior.
RECENT ADVERTISED PRICES

Listed for sale at the time this
was written-in Trade-A-Plane
and on the Socata TB Users
Group website-were two
U.S.-registered TB10s, both
fairly well-equipped. Listed
prices ranged from $75,000 to
$79,900.

Socata TB10 Tobago
Stylish and comfortable, if not speedy
BY MIKE COLLINS

SOCATA'S TB10 TOBAGO turned heads on the ramp when it was introduced in 1985, and it still

does today-for its stylish looks, and not just because it's such a rare bird in the United States.
The Tobago sits squarely in the middle of what many call Socata's "Caribbean" line of piston
singles, which also includes the fixed-gear, 160-horsepower Tampico and the retractable-gear,
250-horsepower Trinidad (with a turbocharger, the retract becomes the TB21 Trinidad TC).
Originally a subsidiary of the French aerospace company Aérospatiale, now part of Airbus, Socata
built the airplanes at its Tarbes, France, facility that inspired the TB model designations.
Powered by a 180-horsepower Lycoming O-360 A1AD engine with a 2,000-hour time
between overhauls and turning a two-blade, constant-speed Hartzell propeller, the Tobago is
of conventional metal construction. Its wide, comfortable cabin is accessed through gull-wing
doors over each wing. The vertical stabilizer and rudder are distinctively positioned forward
of the stabilator; two ventral strakes are mounted under the aft fuselage.
The TB200XL, introduced in 1993, replaces the engine with a 200-horsepower Lycoming
IO-360-A1B6. Most TB-series aircraft were produced between 1977 and 2000, and have become
known as "generation one." In 2000 Socata launched Generation Two of the series, offering a larger
cabin with more headroom and some aerodynamic improvements; the redesigned wing tips are
most noticeable. Only a small number of GT models was produced. Although the Tobago has been
out of production since 2005, Socata still provides product support.
Tobagos offer great visibility for a low-wing airplane. The wide windshield and overhead plexiglass in the gull-wing doors provide excellent visibility ahead and above. The front seats are located
on top of the forward wing spar, giving the pilot a downward view much better than most other
low-wing airplanes.
The wide cabin and high wing loading make for a comfortable, smooth ride. However, that wide
cabin creates drag, keeps the airplane from flying as fast as it looks like it should go-and some owners report cruise speeds slightly slower than book. At 6,000 feet and 75-percent power, expect about
124 KTAS with wheel pants installed. Control forces are heavy, providing a solid feel, and the airplane flies conventionally-although a touch of power in the flare seems to soften the touchdown.
EMAIL mike.collins@aopa.org

36 | AOPA PILOT December 2017

INSURANCE COSTS

AOPA Insurance Services
estimates that insurance for a
Socata Tobago flown by a lowtime pilot will cost between
$780 and $1,080 per year.
HOW MANY IN THE FLEET?

Socata built about 2,100 piston
singles in its Caribbean line.
According to FAA data there
are 60 TB10 Tobagos on the
U.S. registry.
FINANCING

AOPA Finance estimates a
monthly payment of $550 at
an 85-percent loan-to-value
ratio, an average interest rate
of 5.5 percent, and a 15-year
term.
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

AD 2015-24-03 requires recurring inspections for corrosion
of the horizontal stabilizer spar,
apparently caused by humidity
ingress on aircraft subject to
severe environmental conditions. AD 2007-13-18 establishes a 10,000 flight hour life limit
for engine and nose landing
gear mounts.
BIGGEST PLUS

Comfortable, with great
visibility.
BIGGEST MINUS

It's not as fast as it looks.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact the Socata TB Users
Group (www.socata.org).

http://www.socata.org

AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2017