EADS Socata had a good week at the Asian Aerospace Airshow with the firm order of 5 TB 10 Tobago GTs and a Frasca fixed-base simulator equipped with FVS-200 visual system for the Indonesian Navy. A contract is valued at $2.5 million USD.

The first two aircraft will be delivered in June 2004 and the three others in the early months of 2005. They will compliment an existing fleet of 4 single-piston 160-hp TB 9 Tampico GT delivered to the Indonesian Navy ten years ago.

This is the first order in this area for the latest version of the popular single-piston 4/5-seater and EADS Socata foresees huge needs in this area for quality training aircraft such as the TB GT aircraft. 

On January 1st, 2004, a total of 2125 TB GT has been delivered worldwide. Of which 900 are in service with 50 civilian or military training organizations. In the Asia-Pacific area, most of the 270 Socata TB aircraft are operated by 12 flying schools in seven countries: Australia, China, India, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand.

Socata TB 10 Tobago GT, Model 2004

As with previous models, the Socata TB 10 Tobago GT model 2004 is a 4/5-seater single-engine airplane, with fixed gear and constant speed propeller, combines a comfortable cabin with good cruise performance for a moderate operating cost. Easy to fly, even at low speed, the Tobago GT blends simplicity with safety. Socata notes that its "considerable wing load factor and the effectiveness of its ailerons" endow the aircraft with remarkable stability, even under the most difficult flight conditions.

Multi-mission, the TB 10 Tobago GT is the perfect fit for a wide variety of roles, from flight training to flying clubs to airborne surveillance. In this latter case, the TB 10 Tobago GT was put into service last year by the Brabant police department (Netherlands).

FMI: www.socata.eads.net