Socata TB 10: is this a good Club tourer?
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: north of barlu
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TB10 Not a bad aircraft......... however!
The TB10 is not a bad aircraft but the shortcomings that have been outlined above show that it will cost more than your C172 and won't work as well from sticky grass airfields in the British winter.
I would think that the DR400 would be the best aircraft to replace the C172 as it WILL lift as much as the C172 off a SHORTER grass strip.
From what you have said you need to have at least the DR400-160, this is the most efficient of the DR400 range in terms of speed/range and unless you are into long flights with a big payload.
The DR400-180 is not a lot faster than the 160 but it can with the supplimentry tank option stay in the air for almost seven hours, this makes the sothern Spain a one stop trip from the UK.
I would think that the DR400 would be the best aircraft to replace the C172 as it WILL lift as much as the C172 off a SHORTER grass strip.
From what you have said you need to have at least the DR400-160, this is the most efficient of the DR400 range in terms of speed/range and unless you are into long flights with a big payload.
The DR400-180 is not a lot faster than the 160 but it can with the supplimentry tank option stay in the air for almost seven hours, this makes the sothern Spain a one stop trip from the UK.
Join Date: Jun 2003
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At Leics there is a TB10 and a 160HP 172 watching them take off with 2 POB within minutes of each other the TB takes nearly twice the runway of the club 172 which takes 50% more runway than my 172
Sure, very different stall speeds.
Another difference could be the C172 has more effective flaps, giving it .... guess what .... a lower stall speed
There is no free lunch, no matter how you look at it.
As for operating costs, there is a vast difference between the operating costs of say a 10 year old and say a 20 year old plane. The manufacturer is a secondary factor. Socata parts prices have historically been high because certain "things" going on in the UK, but you can get parts from other European Socata dealers.
It could well be that a C172 is much better for this particular mission requirement and I would never argue with that.
Sure, very different stall speeds.
Another difference could be the C172 has more effective flaps, giving it .... guess what .... a lower stall speed
There is no free lunch, no matter how you look at it.
As for operating costs, there is a vast difference between the operating costs of say a 10 year old and say a 20 year old plane. The manufacturer is a secondary factor. Socata parts prices have historically been high because certain "things" going on in the UK, but you can get parts from other European Socata dealers.
It could well be that a C172 is much better for this particular mission requirement and I would never argue with that.
