Socata TB 20 Trinidad GT

Socata · France · first flew 1980 · light aircraft

The TB 20 Trinidad is the retractable-gear flagship of Socata's TB range, a fast 250 hp IFR tourer with a six-cylinder Lycoming.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	Fuselage round-out over wing
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Retractable tricycle gear
250 hp IO-540 flat-six
Fuselage round-out over wing

The retractable tricycle gear immediately separates the Trinidad from the fixed-gear Tobago. Look also for the longer IO-540 nose, the pronounced fuselage round-out above the wing and the family greenhouse glazing.

Specifications

The Socata TB 20 Trinidad GT has a length of 7.75 m (25 ft).
It has a wingspan of 9.97 m (33 ft).
Its maximum speed is 302 km/h (188 mph).
Typical crew: 1 pilot, up to 4 seats.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in 1980 and certified in 1982, the Trinidad brought retractable undercarriage and the powerful IO-540 to the TB family. The GT update from 2000 refined the aerodynamics, cabin and avionics. Around 680 Trinidads and turbo TCs were built before production ended in the mid-2000s.

Variants

The naturally aspirated TB 20 sits alongside the turbocharged TB 21 Trinidad TC/GT Turbo, the two being externally near-identical. Below it are the fixed-gear Tobagos on the same fuselage. All share the TB signature cabin and swept fin.

Where you'll see it

The Trinidad became a favourite high-performance touring single on the UK register, prized for its speed, range and comfortable IFR cabin. Private owners and syndicates across Britain fly it for long cross-country trips. Some European agencies used it in coast-guard and utility roles.

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