# SOCATA TB 20 Trinidad — Normal Operating Procedures

> **NOT FOR FLIGHT** — source fidelity: not_applicable | operational review: none | completeness: normal_only | 1 unresolved safety defect(s)

Normal operating procedures for the SOCATA TB 20 Trinidad with Lycoming IO-540 fuel-injected engine, constant-speed propeller, and retractable tricycle gear. The TB 20 features car-style doors with a single lever for entry, side-stick-style yoke, and a fuel selector with LEFT/RIGHT/OFF positions. Some variants use a single-lever power control that couples the propeller and throttle; verify control configuration in the specific aircraft POH before flight. All airspeeds, power settings, fuel quantities, and performance data must come from the aircraft POH. Not a substitute for qualified instruction or a type-specific checkout.

> **safety_defect**: Contains no airspeeds, power settings, fuel quantities, or other numerical limitations — all must come from the specific aircraft POH.
> **content_gap**: Equipment variations exist across this model/variant. Verify items against the specific aircraft before use.

## Preflight Walk-Around

- [ ] Aircraft documents (ARROW) — **ON BOARD AND CURRENT**
- [ ] Weight and balance — computed for actual loading — **WITHIN LIMITS PER POH**
- [ ] Fuel quantity — visually check both wing tanks and compare with fuel gauges — **CONFIRMED; ADEQUATE FOR FLIGHT WITH REQUIRED RESERVES PER POH**
- [ ] Fuel grade — verify correct grade as placarded — **CORRECT GRADE**
- [ ] Fuel sump drains — sample both wing sumps and fuel strainer — **CLEAR; NO WATER OR SEDIMENT**
- [ ] Fuel filler caps — both tanks — **SECURED AND LOCKED FLUSH**
- [ ] Engine oil level — dipstick removed, wiped, and re-checked — **WITHIN OPERATING RANGE PER POH; CAP SECURE**
- [ ] Engine compartment — fuel injection lines, oil hoses, and ignition leads — **NO LEAKS, CHAFING, OR LOOSE FITTINGS**
- [ ] Induction air inlet and air filter — **CLEAR AND UNOBSTRUCTED; FILTER SERVICEABLE**
- [ ] Exhaust stacks and heat exchangers — **NO CRACKS, CARBON SOOTING, OR LOOSE HARDWARE**
- [ ] Engine cowling — all cowl fasteners and cowl flap (if fitted) — **SECURED; COWL FLAP OPERATIONAL**
- [ ] Propeller blades and spinner — inspect each blade face, leading edge, and tip — **NO NICKS, CRACKS, OR EROSION; SPINNER SECURE**
- [ ] Nose gear — strut inflation, torque links, and shimmy damper — **STRUT EXTENDED NORMALLY; HARDWARE SECURE**
- [ ] Nose tire — condition and inflation — **SERVICEABLE; PROPERLY INFLATED**
- [ ] Pitot tube — cover removed; inlet unobstructed — **COVER REMOVED; CLEAR**
- [ ] Static ports — both sides of fuselage — **CLEAR AND UNOBSTRUCTED**
- [ ] Left wing leading edge and upper/lower skin — **NO IMPACT DAMAGE, DEFORMATION, OR FUEL STAINING**
- [ ] Left aileron — hinges, pushrod, and range of travel — **SECURE; FULL AND FREE MOVEMENT**
- [ ] Left flap — hinge pins, actuator, and skin condition — **SECURE; NO DAMAGE**
- [ ] Left wingtip — navigation light lens and strobe — **UNDAMAGED; LENS INTACT**
- [ ] Left main gear — strut extension, tire, brake pads, and gear door — **STRUT NORMAL; TIRE SERVICEABLE; BRAKES ADEQUATE; DOOR UNDAMAGED**
- [ ] Fuselage skin, antennas, and baggage door latch — **NO DAMAGE; ANTENNAS SECURE; DOOR LATCHED**
- [ ] Horizontal stabiliser and elevators — both sides; check hinge security and trim tab — **UNDAMAGED; HINGES SECURE; NO EXCESSIVE PLAY**
- [ ] Vertical stabiliser and rudder — hinges and full deflection check — **UNDAMAGED; MOVES FREELY**
- [ ] Tail beacon — lens and mounting — **INTACT AND SECURE**
- [ ] ELT — armed position and antenna connection — **ARMED; ANTENNA CONNECTED**
- [ ] Right main gear — strut, tire, brakes, and gear door — **STRUT NORMAL; TIRE SERVICEABLE; BRAKES ADEQUATE; DOOR UNDAMAGED**
- [ ] Right flap and right aileron — condition, hinges, and full travel — **SECURE; FULL AND FREE MOVEMENT; NO DAMAGE**
- [ ] Right wing leading edge, fuel cap, and tank vent — **NO DAMAGE; CAP LOCKED; VENT CLEAR**
- [ ] Right wingtip — navigation and strobe lights — **UNDAMAGED; LENS INTACT**
- [ ] Tiedowns, chocks, and gust locks — all removed — **ALL REMOVED**

## Cockpit Preparation / Before Start

- [ ] POH — aboard and accessible to crew — **ON BOARD**
- [ ] Seats — fore/aft position locked; back angle secured — **ADJUSTED AND LOCKED**
- [ ] Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupants — **FASTENED**
- [ ] Control lock (if installed) — **REMOVED**
- [ ] Flight controls — full travel in all axes — **FREE AND CORRECT**
- [ ] Avionics master switch — **OFF (before applying battery power)**
- [ ] Master switch (battery) — **ON**
- [ ] Fuel quantity gauges — compare with visual inspection — **CONSISTENT WITH VISUAL CHECK**
- [ ] Annunciator / warning lights — press-to-test — **ALL LAMPS ILLUMINATE; NONE REMAIN LIT AFTER TEST**
- [ ] Landing gear position indicators — **THREE GREEN — DOWN AND LOCKED CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Gear warning horn — verify audible with throttle at idle — **HORN SOUNDS**
- [ ] Fuel selector — **LEFT OR RIGHT (fullest tank or per POH; NOT OFF)**
- [ ] Elevator trim — **SET FOR TAKEOFF PER POH**
- [ ] Rudder trim — **NEUTRAL OR PER POH**
- [ ] Propeller control (if separate from throttle) — **FULL FORWARD — HIGH RPM**
- [ ] Mixture control — **RICH (or per POH for field elevation)**
- [ ] Throttle (or single-lever control if so equipped) — **CLOSED, THEN SLIGHTLY OPEN PER POH START PROCEDURE**
- [ ] Flaps — **UP — confirmed by position indicator**
- [ ] Parking brake — **SET**

## Engine Start

- [ ] Area around the aircraft — clear of persons and obstacles — **CLEAR**
- [ ] Fuel selector — **LEFT OR RIGHT — confirm ON**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH (or per POH for altitude)**
> **CAUTION:** The IO-540 is fuel-injected — there is no carburetor. Follow the POH hot-start or cold-start procedure as appropriate. Priming with the fuel pump is typically required for a cold engine.
- [ ] Electric fuel pump — energise briefly for pre-start prime per POH — **ON MOMENTARILY; FUEL PRESSURE CONFIRMED; THEN OFF**
- [ ] Throttle — position per POH start procedure — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Ignition switch — **START — engage starter; release promptly after engine fires**
- [ ] Oil pressure — verify rise within time limit per POH — **RISING; WITHIN LIMIT**
- [ ] Throttle — after engine stabilises — **REDUCE TO IDLE RPM PER POH**
- [ ] Mixture — after start — **RICH FOR GROUND OPERATIONS (or per POH)**
- [ ] Avionics master switch — **ON**
- [ ] Alternator — verify charging on ammeter or loadmeter — **CHARGING NORMALLY**

## After Start / Before Taxi

- [ ] Oil pressure and oil temperature — **WITHIN NORMAL RANGE PER POH**
- [ ] Engine instruments — fuel flow, cylinder head temperature, vacuum — **ALL INDICATING NORMALLY**
- [ ] Flight instruments — altimeter set to current setting; gyros erecting — **ALTIMETER SET; GYROS ERECT**
- [ ] Heading indicator — aligned with magnetic compass — **ALIGNED**
- [ ] Communication and navigation radios — frequencies set and volumes checked — **SET AND CHECKED**
- [ ] Transponder — code entered and in STANDBY — **CODE SET; STANDBY**
- [ ] ATIS / weather information — obtain before taxi — **RECEIVED; ALTIMETER SETTING NOTED**
- [ ] Taxi / position lights — as required by conditions — **ON AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Parking brake — release when ready to taxi — **RELEASED**

## Run-Up / Before Takeoff

- [ ] Parking brake — **SET**
- [ ] Flight controls — verify full and free movement in all three axes — **FREE AND CORRECT**
- [ ] Trim — elevator, rudder set for takeoff — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Fuel selector — select appropriate tank; confirm NOT OFF — **FULLEST TANK SELECTED; ON**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH (or per POH for field elevation)**
- [ ] Propeller control — FULL FORWARD before run-up — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Throttle — advance to run-up power setting per POH — **RPM STABILISED AT RUN-UP SETTING**
- [ ] Magneto check — left, right, and BOTH — **DROP ON EACH MAGNETO WITHIN LIMITS PER POH; SPREAD WITHIN LIMITS**
- [ ] Propeller cycle — advance to full forward, then reduce RPM and observe drop, then return to full forward — **RPM DROP OBSERVED; OIL CIRCULATES THROUGH GOVERNOR; CONTROL RETURNS SMOOTHLY**
- [ ] Propeller control — after cycle confirm full forward — **FULL FORWARD FOR TAKEOFF**
- [ ] Engine instruments at run-up power — **OIL PRESSURE, OIL TEMP, FUEL FLOW, AND CHT ALL WITHIN LIMITS**
- [ ] Annunciator — all warning lights checked — **NO AMBER OR RED LIGHTS**
- [ ] Throttle — reduce to idle after run-up check — **SMOOTH IDLE; ENGINE DOES NOT STUMBLE**
- [ ] Landing gear handle — confirm DOWN position — **DOWN; THREE GREEN CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Flaps — set for takeoff per POH — **TAKEOFF POSITION; INDICATOR CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Car-style doors — fully latched and secured — **BOTH DOORS LATCHED**
- [ ] Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupants — **FASTENED**
- [ ] Departure briefing — takeoff direction, abort speed, and emergency landing area — **BRIEFED**
- [ ] Transponder — **ALT (mode C)**

## Takeoff

- [ ] Runway — confirm clear and on correct runway heading — **CLEAR; CORRECT RUNWAY**
- [ ] Landing light — **ON**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH OR PER POH FOR FIELD ELEVATION**
- [ ] Propeller control — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Throttle (or single-lever control) — apply smoothly to full power — **FULL POWER; ENGINE INSTRUMENTS IN GREEN**
- [ ] Directional control during ground roll — **MAINTAIN RUNWAY CENTRELINE WITH RUDDER**
- [ ] Airspeed — confirm indication alive as speed builds — **ALIVE AND INCREASING**
- [ ] Rotate — lift off at rotation speed — **ROTATE SMOOTHLY PER POH**
- [ ] Landing gear — retract after positive rate of climb confirmed and runway is behind — **GEAR UP; INDICATOR CYCLES TO LIGHTS OUT**
- [ ] Flaps — retract after safe climb speed achieved per POH — **UP; INDICATOR CONFIRMED**

## Climb

- [ ] Airspeed — establish climb speed per POH — **Vy OR Vx AS APPROPRIATE PER POH**
- [ ] Throttle and manifold pressure — set climb power — **CLIMB POWER PER POH**
- [ ] Propeller — set climb RPM per POH — **CLIMB RPM PER POH**
- [ ] Mixture — lean progressively as altitude increases per POH — **ADJUSTED PER POH AND EGT; ENRICHED AS NEEDED NEAR TRAFFIC PATTERN**
- [ ] Landing gear position — confirm up and lights extinguished — **UP; LIGHTS OUT**
- [ ] Flaps — confirm retracted — **UP; CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Engine instruments — oil pressure, oil temperature, CHT, and fuel flow — **ALL WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS PER POH**
- [ ] Fuel selector — monitor tank balance; switch per POH fuel management — **CORRECT TANK SELECTED**
- [ ] Altimeter and heading indicator — **SET AND CROSSCHECKED**

## Cruise

- [ ] Manifold pressure — set for cruise power — **CRUISE POWER PER POH**
- [ ] Propeller RPM — set cruise RPM — **CRUISE RPM PER POH**
- [ ] Mixture — lean to best power or best economy per operating conditions and altitude — **LEANED PER POH AND EGT INDICATION**
- [ ] Fuel selector — alternate tanks at intervals per POH fuel management schedule — **APPROPRIATE TANK SELECTED; BALANCE MAINTAINED**
- [ ] Engine instruments — periodic monitoring — **OIL PRESSURE, OIL TEMP, CHT, AND FUEL FLOW WITHIN LIMITS**
- [ ] Fuel quantity — both tanks checked periodically — **ADEQUATE REMAINING; BOTH TANKS NOTED**
- [ ] Trim — adjust all axes for hands-off cruise flight — **AIRCRAFT IN TRIM**
- [ ] Navigation — position confirmed against flight plan — **ON COURSE; ESTIMATED TIMES UPDATED**
- [ ] Weather — destination and alternate conditions reviewed enroute — **WEATHER ACCEPTABLE; ALTERNATE VIABLE IF REQUIRED**

## Descent

- [ ] Mixture — enrich gradually as altitude decreases — **ENRICHED PER POH AND ALTITUDE**
- [ ] Power — reduce smoothly to avoid shock-cooling the cylinders — **DESCENT POWER PER POH; CHT COOLING RATE ACCEPTABLE**
- [ ] Fuel selector — confirm appropriate tank selected; NOT OFF — **LEFT OR RIGHT PER POH**
- [ ] Engine instruments — monitor throughout descent — **ALL WITHIN LIMITS**
- [ ] ATIS or destination weather — obtain and note runway in use — **INFORMATION RECEIVED; ALTIMETER SETTING NOTED**
- [ ] Altimeter — set to destination altimeter setting — **SET**
- [ ] Heading indicator — crosscheck and align with compass — **ALIGNED**
- [ ] Approach briefing — runway, expected pattern entry, and missed approach plan — **BRIEFED**

## Before Landing

- [ ] Fuel selector — confirm appropriate tank selected; NOT OFF — **LEFT OR RIGHT PER POH; NOT OFF**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH (or adjusted for field elevation per POH)**
- [ ] Propeller control — advance to full forward — **FULL FORWARD — HIGH RPM**
- [ ] Landing gear — extend at or below maximum gear extension speed per POH — **GEAR HANDLE DOWN; THREE GREEN CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Gear warning horn — verify audible when power is reduced to approach setting — **HORN SOUNDS WHEN THROTTLE REDUCED WITH GEAR UP**
- [ ] Flaps — extend for approach per POH — **FLAP POSITION SET; INDICATOR CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupants — **FASTENED**
- [ ] Landing light — **ON**
- [ ] Car-style doors — confirm both fully latched before threshold — **LATCHED**

## Gear Check

- [ ] Landing gear handle position — **DOWN**
- [ ] Gear position indicators — three green lights — **THREE GREEN — DOWN AND LOCKED CONFIRMED**
> **CAUTION:** Verify three green gear lights on every approach. Gear-up landings are the most common class of retractable-gear accidents. Perform this check on every circuit, including touch-and-gos.

## Landing

- [ ] Final approach airspeed — **PER POH FOR WEIGHT AND FLAP CONFIGURATION**
- [ ] Three green gear lights — verify before crossing the threshold — **THREE GREEN CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Flaps — confirm selected landing position — **AT SELECTED POSITION; INDICATOR CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Runway alignment — track centreline throughout flare — **ON CENTRELINE**
- [ ] Touchdown — aim for smooth main-wheel contact then lower nose-wheel under control — **SMOOTH TOUCHDOWN; NOSE WHEEL LOWERED GRADUALLY**
- [ ] Brakes — apply after nose wheel is on the runway surface — **APPLIED SMOOTHLY AND EVENLY AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Mixture — retain rich through the landing roll for immediate go-around capability — **RICH**

## Go-Around / Missed Approach

- [ ] Throttle — apply full power smoothly — **FULL POWER**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH**
- [ ] Propeller control — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Pitch — establish positive climb attitude; maintain control with rudder against increased torque — **CLIMB ATTITUDE; AIRSPEED TO Vy PER POH**
- [ ] Flaps — retract incrementally per POH; avoid large flap retraction at once from full flap — **STAGED RETRACTION PER POH**
- [ ] Landing gear — retract after positive rate of climb is established — **GEAR UP; CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Airspeed — transition to normal climb speed once clear of obstacles — **PER POH**
- [ ] ATC — advise of go-around intention as appropriate — **ADVISED**

## After Landing

- [ ] Flaps — **RETRACT TO UP**
- [ ] Transponder — **STANDBY OR AS DIRECTED BY ATC**
- [ ] Landing light — **OFF OR AS DESIRED**
- [ ] Mixture — lean for taxi if operating on a long taxi at altitude per POH — **ADJUSTED AS APPROPRIATE PER POH**
- [ ] Fuel selector — note selected tank for shutdown planning — **CONFIRM SELECTED TANK**
- [ ] Brakes — test gently during initial movement off the runway — **EFFECTIVE**

## Shutdown and Securing

- [ ] Parking brake — **SET**
- [ ] Avionics master switch — **OFF (before removing alternator from bus)**
- [ ] Throttle — reduce to idle and allow engine to cool for a brief period per POH — **IDLE; ENGINE COOLING**
- [ ] Mixture — **IDLE CUTOFF — pull to shutdown engine**
- [ ] Ignition switch — after propeller stops — **OFF**
- [ ] Master switch — **OFF**
- [ ] Fuel selector — **LEFT OR RIGHT (leave on selected tank or per POH / local procedures)**
- [ ] Control lock (if installed) — **INSTALLED**
- [ ] Pitot tube cover — **INSTALLED**
- [ ] Flight time — Hobbs and tachometer recorded — **LOGGED**
- [ ] Squawks and discrepancies — note any maintenance items — **REVIEWED; LOGGED AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Aircraft — tied down and chocked as conditions require — **SECURED**

---

NOT FOR FLIGHT — source fidelity: not_applicable | operational review: none | completeness: normal_only | 1 unresolved safety defect(s)  
Source: authored — no source document  
Rights: original_expression CC-BY-4.0  
Checklist hash: 1788fc39ae25ea5d8e9dbfacf1c67fecb904737cb3d6ee8426612185d50468c0  
Verify against the aircraft's own approved documentation before use.