Socata TB21 GT versus Cessna TR182

I looked at the V33 when I bought my 182. Apart from being hideously expensive to maintain, it has a CG envelope of about three microns. You have to have a set of weights because it is out of balance if you so much as wear different socks.

I recall looking at the WnB of a Debonair and not only is what you write above is very true, there is another thing, the CG moves during flight quite considerably. You may well take off within CG but end up way outside once fuel has been used. That can be a rude awakening particularly in turbulence.

I also do recall a V Bonnie which kept falling on itŝ tail when being loaded, even though it WAS in CG once the front seats were filled. But it looked quite unimpressive when boarding a full load o 4 plus bags.

It‘s not as bad as it is made out usually. Our C33 can do four standard adults, full mains and ~50 lbs of baggage. We do have a 100 lbs MTOM increase with the tip tanks though, as many of them have.

Mooney_Driver wrote:

TR182’s are probably the only 4 seater which (apart from some PA28-180’s) are REAL 4 seaters.

I beg to differ, the C185 is of course the best real 4 seater out there and I’m not biased at all, of course (do I need to add a smiley?). It does not need retractable gears, since it has the third wheel properly placed in the back. It can take 4 full size adults with 240l of AVGAS and about 100kgs of luggage and still take off from rough grass half long strips, what’s not to like? And when you get bored of perfecting your 3 points and wheel landings (which can keep you entertain for some time ), just swap the wheels for a pair of floats and have fun on water.

WingsWaterAndWheels wrote:

the C185 is of course the best real 4 seater out there and I’m not biased at all, of course (do I need to add a smiley?). It does not need retractable gears, since it has the third wheel properly placed in the back. It can take 4 full size adults with 240l of AVGAS and about 100kgs of luggage and still take off from rough grass half long strips, what’s not to like? And when you get bored of perfecting your 3 points and wheel landings (which can keep you entertain for some time ), just swap the wheels for a pair of floats and have fun on water.

What a sensible post (I’ll add a couple of smileys myself 😇) 👍🏻 And one most important factor you forgot to mention, looks! Racy and purpose built, rugged but sporty with a lot of space, quite a change from some of the worn out soap boxes mentioned above 😉

Being slightly biased, I would also recommend the RV-10, Cirrus performance at the fraction of price, full fuel 4 seater + luggage, and plenty of space. The nicest of all to hand fly.
The only restrictions is having to either find one for sale, or build one. The other eventual restriction is being a homebuilt, and as such in eventual need of shenanigans to ops IFR 😶‍🌫️

For trips of a few hrs, a TB can carry 4. Even a TB21 can carry 4.

I once planned a trip Shoreham to Isle of Man, myself and three 110kg guys (!!) and it was ok with a 2hr reserve. It was cancelled due to fog but it shows you can carry four (or three “average Brit” men plus me at 75kg) on a short trip of 2hrs airborne time.

But we have little info on the requirements…

Hi, I am considering this aircraft – very nice bird. Any owners here ? Performance at 10 000ft ? I would like to ask someone for POH or Pilot flight manual… Comparing to SR 22T ? I need family cruiser – 4 people… thx a lot for any information…

and a mention of the Alps.

But if you want to do grass strips then you want a Cessna or similar, obviously. A TB needs 700m good grass.

There must be a budget issue here otherwise the OP will just spend 1.2M+ on the SR22T, or a TBM, etc.

As soon as you open the cabinet of the tin cans, The Piper lance could be anopther option then. You can find a lot of with good avionics, boots and turbo can be found, and with 1400 pound of usefull load and 6 seats, The OP can even invite family friends.

The Piper lance could be anopther option then. You can find a lot of with good avionics, boots and turbo can be found, and with 1400 pound of usefull load and 6 seats, The OP can even invite family friends.

yes, the Lance is a good bet for a single engine 6 seater which can carry 4 plus bags in comfort. Some of them even have club seating in the rear. The Lance is quite spacy too, same basic cabin like the Seneca.

Dan wrote:

And one most important factor you forgot to mention, looks! Racy and purpose built, rugged but sporty with a lot of space, quite a change from some of the worn out soap boxes mentioned above

I could not agree more, proof in the picture below:

And on floats, she is quite nice too:

But it’s not helping the OP since she is not for sales :-)

Very cool indeed and quite some ramp appeal as well.