Socata Tb-9 Tampico

Single Piston

The Socata TB-9 Tampico is a French-built four-seat touring aircraft that emerged in the late 1970s as part of Socata's successful TB family of light singles. Designed with a distinctive low wing, all-metal construction, and a sliding canopy that provides exceptional visibility, the Tampico was positioned as an affordable trainer and personal aircraft for the European and North American markets. Powered by a Lycoming O-320 engine producing 160 horsepower, it offers docile handling characteristics and forgiving flight manners that made it popular with flight schools, particularly in Europe where Socata maintained a strong presence. The TB-9 shares its airframe DNA with the higher-performance TB-10 Tobago and TB-20 Trinidad, differing primarily in engine power and equipment levels. Its wide cabin, comfortable seating, and relatively modern systems for its era gave it an edge over aging Cessna and Piper designs in certain markets. The type remains in active service decades after production, valued for its blend of European engineering, good short-field performance, and straightforward maintenance. SkyMeter has tracked 144 flights across 21 airframes and 10 operators, with PATON JAMIE D the largest observed operator.