What the Heck is a Socata Trinidad and Why Do I Want One?

The Socata Trinidad is a sneaky sleeper of a high performance general aviation aircraft. Now that I've owned mine for about a year and a half, I can say with confidence that it is one of the sleekest, sexiest, and best-performing cross-country airplanes on the market.

Let's take a look at my own TB-21. This aircraft is currently for sale. Hit me up if you're interested.

Thanks for watching!

Bob Martin

[moleisrich]

I have 1000 hours or more tb20/21 great planes! And more in the whole line up. Our flight school had a fleet of tb9, tb10, tb20 and 21. We were so modern back then. Love to have one.

[ckeilah]

I've rarely flown any other fixed wing aircraft. I didn't realize the Trinidad was so special by comparison. It's a good plane.

[damianramey]

I have been looking at these forever. I want one so bad

[carlrossi]

Glad to see that you are enjoying your TB21! I owned S/N 1000 from 1992-1995 and 1999-2007, put about 1, 400 hours on the airplane. Your fuel burn seems a bit low for 75% power, I would usually burn closer to 16 gph at 75% and cruise at ~ 160 KTAS.

One minor gripe is that the gear extend speed is low at 129 KIAS, with a max speed of 139 KIAS when extended.

Also, my experience with trying to get those few French-made parts from SOCATA was frustrating-for example, I was AOG once for 3 months waiting for a replacement left pitch trim tab. Same with certain French-made parts in the gear extension/retraction system, which resulted in more than one long flight back to home base with the gear extended, and on one memorable occasion they failed to extend, even with the backup free-fall system....max demonstrated x-wind is 25 knots and that is no lie, having done it on a few occasions. That big rudder is extremely powerful. Engine is de-rated version of same TIO-540 which makes 350 HP in Mirage and Navajo, so should last a long time, I got 2, 400 hours out of mine and was only replaced because the new owner felt uncomfortable about "being past TBO", guess he never heard of Mike Busch and on-condition maintenance.

Overall, as you say, a very under-rated airplane and one which still turns heads nearly 40 years after reduction. Shame SOCATA dropped the line. Heck at one-point SOCATA also bought the production tooling for the Grumman Cougar twin but never put it back into production.

[Ed-hzum]

Very nice, Bob! We fly S/N 526 out of GFL. Love the aircraft and we get lots of questions/comments on outland ramps.

[RealWoutLies]

Just saw one headed east over Willcox, AZ at 6, 000. Nasty Weather too. Had to come see what it was.

[jonasbaine]

I like these for the sole reason of not having a 1940s interior design! lol.

[patrickstockden]

Lovely plane!! However @4:28 right main landing Gear is showing yellow?

[HobbyView]

Seems quite a bit nicer than its Tampico predecessor.

[caseyedwards]

Is the cabin pressurised or do you need oxygen masks to fly at the 25000ft the TB21 gt permits?

[BigDawgRey]

Man... I might have to start looking at buying one of these instead of a V-tail Bo'

[brentthor]

Are you at hooks? I’ve seen this one at E&E. I’ve got 2812Y the TB 20 that looks the same

[OMA]

I thought the cruise Speed was more like 160 knots, no?

[georgeschulte]

Were there any AD's on that model year? Price or link to listing ?