Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Meet the aircraft
SOCATA's TB family took its designation from Tarbes, the French city associated with production. Models received Caribbean island names, including Tobago and Trinidad. Landing gear and equipment differ across the family; the simulator package includes the TB10 and TB20, and the specification tables identify their model scope.
Aircraft background
Wikipedia contributors · Read more ↗Learning to fly becomes a way to see Europe
The owner began flying lessons with a clear purpose: travelling around Europe and seeing it from the air. After obtaining a licence, the TB20GT became the aircraft in which that ambition developed. Moving from training aircraft required time to learn the new cockpit and the faster rhythm of preparing for descents and arrivals. The journeys gradually reached farther afield.
First-person ownership account covering operation since 2002. The public site name is retained; no fuller author identity has been inferred.
peter2000.co.uk · Read more ↗Circuit breakers connect to X-Plane failures
The custom electrical system links circuit breakers to X-Plane’s failure logic. The developer describes a breaker opening when its associated electrical component fails.
SOCATA TB10 Tobago / TB20 Trinidad · Just Flight · X-Plane 11
Just Flight · Read more ↗Into the cockpit
YouTube Andrey Borisevich About Aviation · 29 min ·
4. Socata Trinidad TB-20 Flight Review: great for IFR training and cross-country
A flight review explores the Socata Trinidad TB-20.
Real aircraft · SOCATA TB10 Tobago / TB20 Trinidad
Watch on YouTube ↗Preview images are served by AirframeDB. Videos open on YouTube only when you choose to watch.
Meet SOCATA TB10 Tobago / TB20 Trinidad
SOCATA's TB family took its designation from Tarbes, the French city associated with production. Models received Caribbean island names, including Tobago and Trinidad. Landing gear and equipment differ across the family; the simulator package includes the TB10 and TB20, and the specification tables identify their model scope.
SOCATA TB10 Tobago / TB20 Trinidad
SOCATA → · Explore the family →
SOCATA TB10 Tobago
Wikipedia contributors · SOCATA TB family ↗Just Flight · X-Plane 11 →TB20 Trinidad
Wikipedia contributors · SOCATA TB family ↗Just Flight · X-Plane 11 →Aircraft type designators
Use the code for the model you are flying. The linked authority lists the applicable aircraft.
History & design
Cabin access is part of the Trinidad’s identity
Cox’s Trinidad GT review draws attention to the wide cabin and upward-opening doors. These features help explain the TB family’s appeal as touring aircraft, alongside the distinction between the fixed-gear Tobago and the retractable Trinidad.
Plane & Pilot · Socata Trinidad GT ↗Cabin-design context from the 2004 TB20GT review
Pilot accounts
Learning to fly becomes a way to see Europe
The owner began flying lessons with a clear purpose: travelling around Europe and seeing it from the air. After obtaining a licence, the TB20GT became the aircraft in which that ambition developed. Moving from training aircraft required time to learn the new cockpit and the faster rhythm of preparing for descents and arrivals.
The journeys gradually reached farther afield. France and Spain were followed by a trip to Crete, initially through visual flying before later instrument-qualified travel opened up more options. The long-running account combines practical ownership observations with the satisfaction of reaching places that had motivated the original flying lessons.
First-person ownership account covering operation since 2002. The public site name is retained; no fuller author identity has been inferred.
Read the full account · peter2000.co.uk ↗A refurbished Tobago earns a satisfying final landing
Unwin set off from Earls Colne with Steve Allen on a warm summer day, following a Cessna camera aircraft. Heading towards France in a French-built tourer felt appropriate. The Tobago gave him enough confidence to hold a steady position for the photographs, after which he explored its handling away from the camera ship.
Back at the airfield, repeated circuits made him increasingly comfortable. The forward centre of gravity contributed to the effort he felt through the yoke, particularly during the flare. None of the landings disappointed him, but one especially gentle touchdown provided a natural moment to stop.
Pilot · November 2016. Flight in a refurbished 1983 TB10 from Earls Colne with Cavendish Aviation’s Steve Allen; this is the fixed-gear Tobago.
Read the full account · Pilot ↗An airshow departure offers room to enjoy the Trinidad
Cox took the Trinidad GT away from Lakeland on the third morning of Sun ’n Fun, clearing the stream of traffic arriving for the show. The cabin was a major part of its appeal: generous width and the gullwing doors made the aircraft feel welcoming before its handling entered the discussion. In flight, he appreciated the combination of stability and useful control authority.
His curiosity extended to the handbook, where information about antenna drag caught his attention. That connected with his own Turbo Mooney, which an avionics technician had nicknamed for its collection of antennas.
Plane & Pilot · August 2004. Flight in TB20GT N203AB during Sun ’n Fun at Lakeland; the retractable Trinidad differs from the TB10 Tobago.
Read the full account · Plane & Pilot ↗In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
Compare simulator versions →X-Plane 11SOCATA TB10 Tobago / TB20 Trinidad
Just Flight · Released
SOCATA TB10 Tobago / TB20 Trinidad
Just Flight · Released
X-Plane 12TB-10 Tobago / TB-20 Trinidad XP12
Just Flight / Thranda · Released
TB-10 Tobago / TB-20 Trinidad XP12
Just Flight / Thranda · Released
MSFS 2020Trinidad TB21 GT
Lionheart Creations · Released
Trinidad TB21 GT
Lionheart Creations · Released
Aircraft specifications
Published figures for the named real-aircraft variant. Simulator equipment and performance can differ.
| Specification | Published value |
|---|---|
| Length | 7.75 m (25 ft 5 in) |
| Wingspan | 9.85 m (32 ft 4 in) |
| Height | 2.85 m (9 ft 4 in) |
| Empty weight | 911 kg (2,008 lb) EFIS and MTV 9 propeller |
| Max takeoff weight | 1,400 kg (3,086 lb) |
| Powerplant | 1 × LYCOMING TIO-540-AB1AD Six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, direct drive, air-cooled and fitted with an automatically regulated turbocharger, 190 kW (250 hp) |
| Propellers | 2-bladed Hartzell (option for 3 bladed MT-propeller) |
| Cruise speed | 280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn) |
| Stall speed | 109 km/h (68 mph, 59 kn) Full flaps |
| Range | 2,060 km (1,280 mi, 1,110 nmi) At 65% power at 25000 feet, with reserve |
| Service ceiling | 7,600 m (25,000 ft) |
| Rate of climb | 5.6 m/s (1,100 ft/min) |
| Specification | Published value |
|---|---|
| Length | 7.63 m (25 ft 0 in) |
| Wingspan | 9.76 m (32 ft 0 in) |
| Height | 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) |
| Wing area | 11.9 m² (128 sq ft) |
| Empty weight | 670 kg (1,477 lb) |
| Max takeoff weight | 1,150 kg (2,535 lb) |
| Powerplant | 1 × Lycoming O-360-A1AD 4-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine, 134 kW (180 hp) |
| Propellers | 2-bladed Hartzell constant-speed propeller, 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) diameter |
| Maximum speed | 247 km/h (153 mph, 133 kn) |
| Cruise speed | 235 km/h (146 mph, 127 kn) max |
| Stall speed | 112 km/h (70 mph, 60 kn) flaps up |
| Range | 1,210 km (750 mi, 650 nmi) max standard fuel t/o, climb, descent, 45 minutes reserve |
| Service ceiling | 3,960 m (12,990 ft) |
| Rate of climb | 4 m/s (790 ft/min) at sea level |
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Simulator documentation
Circuit breakers connect to X-Plane failuresSOCATA TB10 Tobago / TB20 Trinidad · Just Flight · X-Plane 11
The custom electrical system links circuit breakers to X-Plane’s failure logic. The developer describes a breaker opening when its associated electrical component fails.
Just Flight X-Plane 11 product documentation
Just Flight · Read the source ↗Automatic tank switching is an optional convenienceSOCATA TB10 Tobago / TB20 Trinidad · Just Flight · X-Plane 11
The custom fuel system offers automatic tank switching for longer flights and remembers that choice. It is a simulator option that can be selected for the flight.
Just Flight X-Plane 11 product documentation
Just Flight · Read the source ↗Interactive checklists respond to the simulatorSOCATA TB10 Tobago / TB20 Trinidad · Just Flight · X-Plane 11
The engine-start checklist responds to user inputs and simulator variables. Ground configuration offers cold-and-dark or ready-for-takeoff states while the aircraft is stationary.
Just Flight X-Plane 11 product documentation
Just Flight · Read the source ↗A diagnostic window explains engine and fuel conditionsSOCATA TB10 Tobago / TB20 Trinidad · Just Flight · X-Plane 11
The engine popup shows fuel weights and imbalance, pressures, temperatures, battery charge, spark-plug fouling and vapour lock. A quick-charge option is included.
Just Flight X-Plane 11 product documentation
Just Flight · Read the source ↗Pilot account
Learning to fly becomes a way to see EuropeFirst-person ownership account covering operation since 2002. The public site name is retained; no fuller author identity has been inferred.
The owner began flying lessons with a clear purpose: travelling around Europe and seeing it from the air. After obtaining a licence, the TB20GT became the aircraft in which that ambition developed. Moving from training aircraft required time to learn the new cockpit and the faster rhythm of preparing for descents and arrivals. The journeys gradually reached farther afield.
TB20GT owner at peter2000.co.uk
peter2000.co.uk · Read the source ↗A refurbished Tobago earns a satisfying final landingPilot · November 2016. Flight in a refurbished 1983 TB10 from Earls Colne with Cavendish Aviation’s Steve Allen; this is the fixed-gear Tobago.
Unwin set off from Earls Colne with Steve Allen on a warm summer day, following a Cessna camera aircraft. Heading towards France in a French-built tourer felt appropriate. The Tobago gave him enough confidence to hold a steady position for the photographs, after which he explored its handling away from the camera ship. Back at the airfield, repeated circuits made him increasingly comfortable.
Dave Unwin
Pilot · Read the source ↗Developer documentation
TB-10 Tobago / TB-20 Trinidad XP12 — product listingTB-10 Tobago / TB-20 Trinidad XP12 · X-Plane 12
Product listing captured 2026-09-24; edition scope from the reviewed catalogue
X-Plane.org authorized store · Read the source ↗Trinidad TB21 GT — product listingTrinidad TB21 GT · MSFS 2020
Product listing captured 2026-09-30; edition scope from the reviewed catalogue
www.lionheartsimulations.com · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Aircraft background
SOCATA TB familyWikipedia contributors · Research background · retrieved 2026-09-12Product
TB-10 Tobago & TB-20 Trinidad (X-Plane 11)Just Flight · Official developer / designated store catalogue · checked 2026-09-12 TB-10 TOBAGO & TB-20 TRINIDAD exact product classificationX-Plane.org authorized store · Product listing captured 2026-09-24; edition scope from the reviewed catalogue Trinidad TB21 GT Turbowww.lionheartsimulations.com · Product listing captured 2026-09-30; edition scope from the reviewed catalogueType designator
ICAO Doc 8643 — aircraft type designatorsInternational Civil Aviation Organization · Public search data retrieved 2026-09-14; authority update 2026-09-03Built-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261022-v1 · 6 profile choices
Just Flight / Thranda Socata TB-10
Just Flight / Thranda · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
Just Flight / Thranda Socata TB-10: The chosen resistance accompanies the selected touring-aircraft model.
Just Flight / Thranda Socata TB-20
Just Flight / Thranda · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
Just Flight / Thranda Socata TB-20: The chosen resistance accompanies the selected touring-aircraft model.
Lionheart SOCATA Trinidad TB21 GT
Lionheart Creations · Free and Pro · Revision 3 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020
Lionheart SOCATA Trinidad TB21 GT: The chosen resistance accompanies the selected touring-aircraft model.
SOCATA TB20 Trinidad (retractable gear)
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
X-Plane 11
SOCATA TB20 Trinidad (retractable gear): The chosen resistance accompanies the selected touring-aircraft model.
SOCATA TB10 Tobago (fixed gear)
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
X-Plane 11
SOCATA TB10 Tobago (fixed gear): The chosen resistance accompanies the selected touring-aircraft model.
SOCATA TB21 Trinidad GT
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024 · X-Plane 12
SOCATA's touring-aircraft family, including the Tobago and Trinidad.
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