Socata stresses TBM-850
performance, demand
By Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside
 |
|
Socata bills its
TBM-850 turboprop as the fastest production single-engine
aircraft available. The 850 is a larger, faster version of the
TBM-700. Photo by Eric Soule Dé Lafont |
EADS/Socata Chairman and
CEO Stephane Mayer Thursday updated the media here at EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh on his France-based company’s general aviation programs.
Focused primarily on the TBM-850 single-engine turboprop, Mayer told
attendees that sales of his company’s flagship private aircraft were
ahead of projections and that, as a result, Socata would be increasing
its production rate in 2007. In fact, with 32 new orders worth $91
million in-hand for 2007 deliveries, Socata is enjoying a backlog of
more than 50 aircraft.
"Our order backlog
now totals more than 50 aircraft, which is a record for the TBM program
and is a real indication of the acceleration of customer interest in the
TBM 850. This gives us significant confidence, and will allow us to
continue to ramp up production to meet the strong levels of customer
demand," Mayer said.
European authorities
first certificated the TBM-850 November 2006; its U.S. FAA paperwork
followed in January. So far this year, Socata has delivered 20 TBM-850s,
and will produce a total of 42 by year’s end.
Built on success of the
company’s previous offering, the TBM 700, the Pratt & Whitney
Canada PT6A-66D-powered TBM 850 offers a maximum cruising speed of 320
knots at FL260 and combines the cruising speed of a light jet with the
operating costs of a single-engine turboprop.
Socata also announced two
customer service initiatives designed to better support its growing
fleet. First, the company is strengthening its Florida-based field
service department by reaching out to both owners and suppliers,
supplying them with the latest technical information, advice, and
assistance. Second, Socata is also placing online its entire TBM 700/850
aircraft parts catalog, allowing owners, suppliers and maintenance
facilities to look up parts and obtain pricing in real time.
EADS Socata also
announced it will award in 2007 two "scholarships" through an
agreement with the EAA that will give a unique opportunity for two
American graduates of the EAA Young Eagles program, who are training for
an aviation career to learn about the European aerospace industry. The
EADS Socata scholarship will provide to the two students visits to major
European aerospace industry sites including an in-depth visit to EADS
Socata’s manufacturing plant in France.
"The EAA Young Eagles program has
been hugely successful in introducing over 1.25 million young people to
flying and in encouraging them to investigate careers in aviation"
added Mayer. "The creation of the EADS Socata/EAA Young Eagles
scholarship is a step towards the goal of strengthening trans-Atlantic
ties between the American and Europe’s aviation communities."
