
The Socata TB-20 is a single-engine piston aircraft with retractable landing gear and a fuel capacity of 44.4 US gallons per side or a total of 336 litres. The TB-20 can seat up to four passengers plus one pilot and is known for its range and useful load. The aircraft's endurance to dry tanks is around 6.5 hours, burning around 50 litres per hour. The TB-20 is a popular choice for pilots due to its combination of performance, comfort, and spaciousness.
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What You'll Learn
- The TB20's fuel capacity is 44.4 USG per side, or 336 litres in total
- The TB20 burns around 50 litres per hour, giving it an endurance of around 6.5 hours
- The TB20's fuel gauges are accurate when the aircraft has a 28V electric system
- The TB20 can carry four present-day-sized adults and full fuel
- The TB20 has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 1400kg

The TB20's fuel capacity is 44.4 USG per side, or 336 litres in total
The TB20 is a single-engine piston aircraft with retractable landing gear. It can seat up to four passengers and one pilot. The TB20's fuel capacity is 44.4 US gallons per side, or 336 litres in total. This gives the aircraft a range of 326 litres usable at 50 litres per hour and around 150 knots. The TB20 burns around 50 litres per hour, giving it an endurance of around 6.5 hours.
The TB20's fuel capacity provides ample range and endurance for various flight operations. However, some pilots prefer to carry less fuel to reduce weight and improve performance, especially during shorter flights. The aircraft's fuel gauges may not be accurate, leading some pilots to carry extra fuel as a precaution.
The TB20's fuel capacity and performance should be carefully considered during flight planning. While the aircraft can carry a substantial fuel load, it is essential to balance fuel requirements with other factors, such as passenger and baggage weight, to ensure safe and efficient operations within the aircraft's weight and balance limits.
Additionally, the TB20's fuel quantity can impact its takeoff performance. A fully fuelled TB20 may require a longer runway for takeoff compared to one carrying less fuel. Pilots should refer to the aircraft's weight and balance diagrams and follow recommended procedures for safe flight operations.
Overall, the TB20's fuel capacity of 44.4 US gallons per side or 336 litres total provides a good balance between range, endurance, and performance, making it a versatile aircraft for various flight operations.
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The TB20 burns around 50 litres per hour, giving it an endurance of around 6.5 hours
The TB20 is a single-engine piston aircraft with retractable landing gear. It has a fuel capacity of 44.4 US gallons per side or a total of 336 litres. This gives it a fuel endurance of around 6.5 hours.
The TB20 burns around 50 litres per hour, or 13-14 US gallons. This means that the TB20's fuel capacity of 336 litres will last around 6.5 hours. This is a fairly typical fuel capacity for an aircraft of this size, with a fuel tank in each wing.
The TB20's performance is impacted by its fuel load. While it can take off with a full fuel load, this will affect its acceleration and takeoff roll. Pilots may choose to carry less fuel than the maximum capacity to improve performance, especially if they are only flying for a short period or to a nearby location.
The TB20's fuel gauges are reported to be accurate, which helps with fuel management. However, some pilots prefer to carry extra fuel as a reserve, especially in shared aircraft where fuel quantity is difficult to judge. This is a common practice to ensure adequate fuel for the flight and any potential contingencies.
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The TB20's fuel gauges are accurate when the aircraft has a 28V electric system
The TB20 is a single-engine piston aircraft with retractable landing gear. It can seat up to four passengers and one pilot. The fuel capacity of the TB20 is 44.4 US gallons per side or a total of 336 litres, with a burn rate of around 50 litres per hour, giving it an endurance of around 6.5 hours.
The accuracy of the TB20's fuel gauges depends on the aircraft's electrical system. If the TB20 has a 28V electric system, the fuel gauges are accurate. However, if it has the old 14V electric system, the gauges are inaccurate. This is because the newer 28V system uses capacitive sensors, which are highly accurate, while the older 14V system used float-based sensors, which were less reliable.
Some pilots choose to disregard the fuel gauges altogether due to past inaccuracies and instead rely on visual inspection or dip sticks to estimate fuel quantity. However, this can be challenging as the majority of the fuel in the TB20 is out of direct sight. To improve accuracy, some pilots have installed engine monitors with fuel flow monitoring or replaced the original gauges with more modern ones.
It is important to note that while fuel gauges provide valuable information, pilots should always exercise caution and carry extra fuel when in doubt. This is especially true for shared aircraft where the fuel level cannot be easily determined, and it is better to err on the side of caution.
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The TB20 can carry four present-day-sized adults and full fuel
The TB20 is a single-engine piston aircraft with retractable landing gear. It is a five-place, all-metal, low-wing plane with a powerful 250hp Lycoming IO540 engine. The aircraft has a fuel capacity of 44.4 US gallons per side or a total of 336 litres, burning around 50 litres per hour and offering a range of around 845 nautical miles. This gives the TB20 an endurance of around 6.5 hours, although some pilots report flying for up to 7 hours.
The TB20 has a spacious cabin, with a width of 50 inches and a roomy interior of 49 inches at the shoulder. It is one of the biggest cabins in the single-engine market, with comfortable leather seats and folding armrests. The aircraft can seat up to four passengers plus one pilot, and it is noted for its ability to carry four present-day-sized adults and full fuel. While some pilots express concerns about taking off with full fuel and four adults, others confirm that it is possible.
The TB20's performance is impressive, with a maximum takeoff speed of around 65 knots. However, when heavily loaded, the takeoff roll is less "sparkling". The aircraft's range and useful load are its standout features. The TB20 is also known for its headroom, which has been increased in newer models to accommodate taller pilots and headset users comfortably.
Some pilots opt for refuelling stops on longer trips to manage fuel efficiency and aircraft weight. The weight of the aircraft, especially when carrying full fuel and four adults, can impact performance and takeoff distance. Overall, the TB20 is a versatile and comfortable aircraft, capable of accommodating four adults and their fuel requirements for short and long-distance trips.
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The TB20 has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 1400kg
The TB20 is a single-engine piston aircraft with retractable landing gear. It can seat up to four passengers and one pilot. The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 1400 kg. This weight includes the weight of the aircraft itself, as well as the weight of the passengers, luggage, and fuel.
The TB20's fuel capacity is approximately 44.4 US gallons (336 litres) in total, with each wing holding around 44 gallons. This fuel capacity allows the aircraft to fly for about 6.5 hours until dry tanks, burning approximately 50 litres per hour. However, some pilots prefer to carry extra fuel to ensure a safe flight, especially when sharing the aircraft.
The weight of the aircraft and its contents, including fuel, is an important consideration for takeoff. The TB20's performance during takeoff can be affected by its weight, with heavier loads requiring a longer takeoff roll. For example, at MTOW, the takeoff roll can be around 700-800 metres, compared to 500 metres when lightly loaded.
Additionally, the weight distribution within the aircraft, known as the centre of gravity (CG), can also impact its flight characteristics. While the CG of the TB20 is not significantly affected by fuel quantity changes, it is essential to consider the overall weight and balance of the aircraft to ensure safe flight operations.
It is worth noting that operating the TB20 at its maximum takeoff weight may require a longer runway and careful consideration of the flight conditions. Some pilots choose to make refuelling stops along their journey to manage weight and fuel levels more efficiently.
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Frequently asked questions
The TB-20 has a fuel capacity of 44.4 US gallons per side, or a total of 336 litres.
The TB-20 burns around 50 litres per hour, giving it an endurance of around 6.5 hours on a full tank.
The fuel gauges on the TB-20 with the 28V electric system are pretty accurate. However, the older 14V aircraft had less accurate gauges.
No, it is not necessary to always fly with a full tank. The extra cost of moving the fuel around is negligible, and there are few issues with MTOW. However, it is important to have enough fuel for the flight plus a sensible reserve.
The TB-20 will always use more fuel to carry a full load compared to just the necessary amount for the flight. Additionally, the takeoff roll is affected by the weight of the aircraft, with heavier loads requiring a longer takeoff roll.










































