Aerospatiale Aircraft
Frequently Asked Questions — Aerospatiale
What Aerospatiale aircraft are on the used market?
Aerospatiale (later merged into EADS/Airbus) produced both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. On the used market, the most common fixed-wing types are the SOCATA TB series: TB-9 Tampico (trainer), TB-10 Tobago (touring), and TB-20 Trinidad (complex retractable). Aerospatiale helicopters include the AS350 Ecureuil/AStar and the Dauphin/Panther series, now supported by Airbus Helicopters.
Is the SOCATA Trinidad TB-20 a good touring aircraft?
The TB-20 Trinidad is one of only a handful of complex singles designed from scratch (not evolved from a simpler model). It offers a spacious cabin with gull-wing doors rivaling twin-engine roominess, sleek aesthetics, good IFR performance, and a surprisingly low accident rate. The TB-21TC adds turbocharging for high-altitude capability. Parts come through SOCATA/Daher and the active TB Users Group.
How does the SOCATA Tobago TB-10 compare to a Piper Archer?
The TB-10 Tobago matches the Archer's mission (fixed-gear four-seat touring) with notably wider cabin and better aesthetics — gull-wing doors and excellent all-round visibility make it the closest thing to flying a car. French build quality is high. The Tobago is rarer in North America, meaning fewer mechanics know the type and parts take longer. The Archer has overwhelming parts and service availability advantage in the US market.