Socata ST-10 Diplomate
 

A few weeks ago a friend and I bought one of these lovely, but rare aircraft. We would be happy to establish contact with other owners/pilots to share information on maintenance, fly ins and so on ...

Ours (based LOAN, Austria) is a 1971 example with the second engine, one prior owner and a bit more than 2000 hrs tt.

Blimey that's spooky!

There's a guy on Flyer Forum just done the same thing and in a million to one chance he's based at the same field:ok:

Two ST 10's amazing. Have fun together:)

SGC

Lovely old aircraft, but sadly, none currently airworthy in the UK.

There has been one for sale at Blackpool for 2-3 years now, although the
owner told me that anyone looking for a light single with retractable
gear would probably opt for a Cherokee Arrow or similar, with much easier
spares availability.

I may see two ST-10 at my airfield, but only after a few beers at the airfield pub ;) ....

Spare availability is definitely an issue, as only about 55 were built and about 30 are said to be still flying (one, interestingly enough, in Tahiti). However, in climb performance and (to a lesser degree) cruise speed the ST-10 its superior to the non-turbo Arrow. And so far everybody I meet is curious about the a/c, which I honestly quite enjoy ...

When it comes to maintenance, we count on the guys of Diamond, whose main facility is on the other side of the airfield. They could do some engineering for minor parts, and they are a Socata service center. That's mainly about the TB and TBM series, of course, and Daher-Socata no longer has the STC for the Diplomate. But some inside knowledge hopefully has survived.

Phil,

I'm sure you know I was pulling your leg - it's a tradition on here.:ok:

Have a look at the Gardan Horizon GY 80 - to me it looks like it has the same genes as the Diplomate. I flew an Horizon but didn't like the short coupled elevator or the wind up u/c that took the flaps in at the same time.

I've operated one off's myself and whilst great fun when you arrive somewhere and the whole club house empties to see what it is, I always did less hours at more cost than my pal in his PA 28-180. :{

Nevertheless, good on ya!

Sir George Cayley

Sir George,

Same tradition with us on the Continent;). From your time flying the GY-80, do you know of any owner association? Couldn't find one on the internet.

G-HOLY is still parked around the back in the grass at EGCL. looks complete exceot for the engine which was removed for overhaul several years ago.

Dave

Hey Phil,

I own a Gardan Horizon based in UK and I have to say I think it's a wonderful little aeroplane although I have to agree with Sir George, it does spend a bit of time in the hangar!!).

Have a look here ...
http://avionsgardan.free.fr/

for the French Gardan enthusiasts club. They are a fantastic source of information and parts.

Happy landings

3 point

3Point, thanks for directing me to the Gardan owners club, will contact them immediately.

Does anyone know the owner of G-HOLY?

Do a google on "G-INFO" which will lead you to a UK CAA aircraft database, which should yield the name and address of the last owner.

GINFO Search Results | Aircraft Register | Safety Regulation

In case you dont know how to find it.

Thanks a lot. If the owner replies, the nascent Diplomate owners club will increase its informal membership by 25% ;) ...

G-HOLY at Fenland, October 2008:

ST10
 

Hi, I bought a SOCATA ST10 three years ago and I did the first flight last week, it is a beautiful plane, fly well, and Yes, it´s more fast then a Piper arrow non turbo!
Here in Brazil we have a 8 SOCATAs ST10, but only four in flight conditions.
Bye PT-DME

There was one based at Nottingham in the 90’s. I had a few rides in it and quite liked it. I seem to remember it spent a lot of time on the ground due to lack of spare parts even then.

Rod1

Hey Gonjito,

Can you post a picture so we can admire?

SGC

Hi Gojito,

Congratulations on your purchase! And I have to say that your posting comes just at the right time, because my workshop and I are in the process of searching for some spare parts we jus't cant find anywhere:*. Perhaps you in Brazil have them, as there is obviously quite a large population of (ex-VARIG) Diplomates there?

If okay, I'll send you a private message with the parts numbers.

Do you the original brakes, or did you switch to Cleveland brakes? If so, do you need do have a STC for that in Brazil?

On a separate note, my wife and I did a long trip through Italy and France in our ST-10 (D-EALD) last year, and an article I wrote about the trip and the a/c itself is due to be published in the German "Fliegermagazin" in April or May. I'm also in contact with half a dozen other European ST-10 owners and would like to set up a small homepage about the a/c to keep us all in touch and share information, if I ever find the time ...

St 10 diplomate ie bug , gholy
 

Hi I have 2 diplomats one almost ready for flight after restoring ,and one for spare parts . I am now looking to get wind screen and Windows . Any ideas, ?

I'm flying a st10 here in sweden, is there any st-10 owner here that have the original DB noise test document? I need it because we switched back to the original propeller (adjustable) and the former owner does not saved the document.

Check your PM's...