This is one for Peter ;-)
A friend and I dream of buying an airplane. Since we started renting this TB20 GT Link, our attention was caught by that classified Link . It seems to have been published by the Socata-affiliated flying school down in Tarbes Link .
This aircraft seems to be well equipped but a bit pricey (150k€)
I have 2 questions:
1) What should one think of this ad, knowing that on the same site there is a much crappier TB20 not GT for one-fourth of the cost Link ?
2) What could be typical operating costs for the F-reg nicer TB-20 GT ?
Thanks in advance for your opinion.
Here is a copy & paste of the nicer classified, in case the link is removed:
Description
Type: Monomoteur
Marque: Eads/Socata
Modèle: TB-20 GT Trinidad
Millésime: 2002
Immatriculation: F-GRBZ
Numéro de série: 2105
Attributs: Équipé IFR
Toujours sous hangar
Visite annuelle: 3/2014
Emplacement: France, TARBES, LFBT
Heures totales cellule (TTAF): 964 h
Prix: € 149.000
UE VAT payée: oui
Nombre de passagers: 5
Moteur(s)
Nombre de moteurs: 1
Marque/Constructeur: LYCOMING
Puissance: 250 PS
Heures totales: 206 h
Marque/Modèle d’hélice: HARTZELL
Heures totales d’hélice: 120 h
Description /Détails de moteurs
NEW ENGINE : 05/2013
NEW PROPELLER : 03/2014
Avionique
Audiopanel : PS Ingeneering PMA 7000M-S
Autopilot : BENDIX/KING KFC-225
MFD : BENDIX/KING KMD-550
+ Stormscope : BF-Goodrich WX-500
GPS : BENDIX/KING KLN-94
2 x COM/NAV : BENDIX/KING KX-155A
ADF : BENDIX/KING KR-87
Transponder : Mode S BENDIX/KING KT-73
DME : BENDIX/KING KN-63
ELT : Kannad 406 AF-Compact
Standard instruments : – 2 x Attitude Indicators,
- 2 x Altimeters,
- HSI,
- Turn coordinator
Equipement
De-ice (TKS) : – wings, elevator and rudder
- propeller
- windscreen
Extérieur
as new
Inspection Status
NEW ENGINE AND PROPELLER!
F-GRBZ looks nice. It is (S/N 2105) of the same “build batch” as my S/N 2121. It even has the same “ex TBM700” Shadin fuel totaliser. The avionics are of good quality and reliability – except the KFC225 autopilot but there are fixes for that. This is a nice aircraft and with just 200hrs on the engine and VAT paid (have I got the VAT right?) the price is about right.
Things to watch/check:
As regards the 1982 aircraft, that is a 1982 model and is priced like a 1982 model – about right. Of course it will fly, but there will be many little issues, for sure, and maybe some bigger ones. But €41k will get you a very capable machine. Just be ready to throw 10k-20k at it over the first few years, as needed.
If you can afford a GT then buy a GT, without any question. It is a much better aircraft, in many small ways.
Hi Peter,
Thanks for your very complete and quick answer.
Your experience is invaluable :-)
Could you also give your estimate for the yearly operating costs “once stabilized” (after the initial 50-60k€ we would add) based on approx. 200-250 hours per year ?
On 200-250 hours a year, the fuel will dominate everything, unless
Hangarage and insurance will be a few k each. The 50hr services will be €100 in parts plus ~5 man hours labour (if you do them) or ~€700 (if you get a company to do them). The Annual will be € (very little) if you do it with an engineer and have a Part M colleague to sign it off, or €4000+ if you use a company. Engine fund maybe €15/hr.
What do you plan to spend the €50-60k on?
This post is worth a look too.
150k€ is too expensive, I’d not pay more than €100k. For 150k€ you get a Cirrus SR22 G2 which is a much more modern and capable aircraft.
That’s highly debatable. Actual mission capability is mostly according to equipment e.g. TKS for TKS, turbo for turbo, etc. The TB20 also has a lot more range – it does a lot more MPG.
In any case, a good GT will sell for €140-150k or so. I know of a number of them and what they went for.
the a.m. TB20 is also fully deiced, which is a 50k bonus if you like to install a TKS at a later stage …
150k for a SR22 G2 seems to be a price without tax
I guess he was pulling a leg on you…
A lot more range?
Please explain, Peter.
I see it has about 7 Gallons more fuel than a G2 and a higher celing (20 k vs. 17.5)
Guys, if you want a TB20 v. Cirrus thread, why don’t you start one, rather than derail this one.
I am not sure I will participate in one though, after all the recent trouble we’ve had here.
Indeed, the full TKS alone is worth some €20k-30k on the selling price of a GT – based on what I have seen.