New Shiny! Toy

It occurs to me that I've somehow managed to avoid actually posting the
details of my recent purchase. Some of you may have noticed (from some
of my other posts) that I just picked up a new toy. She's a 1993 Socata
TB9 Tampico (pictures are available on my company website,
http://www.flight-instruction.com/images/n30391/, and my personal site,
http://www.barefootclown.net/aerial/). Please be nice to the personal
site, it's hosted on a cable modem.
I am particularly amused by a few of those pictures, most notably the
one at
http://www.flight-instruction.com/im...screenshot.png.
Yes, I bought this airplane on eBay. I've discussed my experience with
that over on r.a.o. in a couple of threads, but I'd be happy to answer
questions. I've also mentioned my experiences with MBNA; I'm less
enthusiastic about discussing (and dealing with) them, though I'll
certainly give my fair and unvarnished opinion (can't say "fair and
balanced," FOXNews might sue me!) of them if asked.
PIREP: About twenty hours of flying later (ten just to get it home!), I
love the thing. Systems and performance are similar to a Cherokee
Warrior (same Lycoming O-320 D-series engine), but I get a little better
climb rate, better handling, and *eight inches* more cabin space! No
more students sitting on my lap! The useful load (on the older birds,
at least), is close to half a ton, giving me plenty to play with.
Handling is marvelous. Just as docile in the stall as the Warrior
(perhaps more so), with no wing drop. Fly it once, and you'll wonder
where it gets having as much roll authority as it does, what with the
little tiny ailerons. Solo, in cold air, with me, baggage, and full
tanks (probably about 550 lb total), I was seeing better than 1000fpm
climb, and cruising (high cruise) at 110ktas. Range is good; flew CPS
(east St. Louis) to 1K4 (~25nm south of Oklahoma City) with night VFR
reserves, at that high cruise (about 9.5/hr, I think), with a bit of
headwind.
I've let several people fly her, including an airline pilot (and an
A-26, and a Baron, and a 172, and various helicopters, and an A&P, and .
.. .) and a corporate (King Air) pilot, and everybody has loved her. BIG
glass windows, almost like a bubble canopy, and large gullwing doors,
are a nice touch, particularly to passengers.
A little history: she spent a large portion of her life as a trainer in
New York, then moved to New Jersey, where she was flown by a dentist for
fun and transportation. He sold her to a guy in Elyria, OH (from whom I
bought her), who used her for the same (he sold her because he's getting
into helicopters). Now I have her (along with a student of mine), and
we have her back out on the rental line. Not very many people familiar
with Socatas; I've described her many times as "a French-built
Cherokee," and even worked under a Cherokee callsign with approach while
they tried to figure out what to do with me. The local guys are finally
figuring it out. Students have been very receptive to her (particularly
the wide cabin!), and I'm also setting up a deal with the University of
Oklahoma's Aviation Club to let them fly her at-cost. They've been
wanting an airplane for four years now (I should know; I'm the one who
started the idea!), and I want to try to give them one.
Short answer: I think I found a winner here. The French got it right.
--Dave

--
Dave Buckles

http://www.flight-instruction.com