| TB 30 Epsilon | |
|---|---|
 Socata TB 30 Epsilon | |
| General information | |
| Type | Lightmilitary trainer aircraft |
| Manufacturer | SOCATA (Aérospatiale) |
| Status | Active service |
| Primary users | French Air Force (historical) |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1979-1989 |
| Introduction date | 1983 |
| First flight | 22 December 1979 |
TheSocata TB 30 Epsilon is a light military trainer aircraft produced bySOCATA (then part ofAérospatiale). It is a tandem two-seater with a metal airframe. The first prototype flew on 22 December 1979.
In 1978, theFrench Air Force (Armée de l'Air) published a requirement for a new basic trainer aircraft to partially replace theFouga Magister in the early parts of the syllabus for pilot training. The new aircraft was expected to have tandem seating, be powered by a 224 kW (300 hp) piston engine and have a three-hour endurance. Similar designs were proposed by theSOCATA subsidiary ofAérospatiale (based on theirTB 10 Tobago light aircraft) and by GEPAL (theGEPAL Mk II). The SOCATA proposal, the TB 30B, was chosen in February 1979.[1]
The first of two prototypes flew on 22 December 1979,[2] but testing showed that the Epsilon had poor handling and it was redesigned with a new swept back fin supplemented by a ventral strake and a largertailplane, while the wing was fitted with elliptical tips increasing the wingspan from 7.40 m (24 ft 33⁄8 in) to 7.59 m (24 ft 113⁄4 in). The first prototype flew again with these changes on 31 October 1980, and it was soon found that the handling problems had been fixed.[3]
The Epsilon is a low wingedcantilevermonoplane of all metal construction. It is powered by aLycoming O-540flat-sixpiston engine driving a two-blade propeller, and is fitted with a retractablenosewheel undercarriage. The pilot and instructor are sat in tandem under a slidingPlexiglas canopy, with cockpit layout designed to aid transition to theDassault/Dornier Alpha Jet to which French students graduate after completing the Epsilon part of their training syllabus.[2][4]
The first prototype was modified into a testbed for theTurbomeca TP 319 Arriusturboprop engine, flying in this form on 9 November 1985.[2] The testbed was then modified into a dedicated turboprop trainer, theTB 31 Oméga, powered by a 360 kW (483 shp) Arrius 1A2 and fitted withejection seats, returning to flight on 30 April 1989.[5] While it was offered for theUnited States Air Force/United States NavyJoint Primary Aircraft Training System competition to replace theBeechcraft T-34 Mentor andCessna T-37 Tweet, it was rejected, with no sales resulting.[6]
TheArmée de l'Air placed an initial order for 30 Epsilons in 1981, with further contracts following with a total of 150 ordered.[7] First deliveries started in 1983, with the first training courses based on the Epsilon starting in September 1984.[8]
Export orders were received fromTogo for three armed Epsilons in 1984, delivered in 1986 (with a fourth supplied later to replace a crashed aircraft) and fromPortugal in 1987 for 18 aircraft, to be assembled in Portugal byOGMA.[2]
Data fromThe Encyclopedia of World Aircraft,[11]Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89[2]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
Media related toSocata TB-30 Epsilon at Wikimedia Commons
