EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 24 July 2007
Sales of EADS Socata’s TBM 850 business aircraft have surpassed the 100-order milestone as this single-engine very fast turboprop consolidates its success on the international marketplace.
Launched in December 2005, the TBM 850 has rapidly established a global customer base that includes operators in United States, Europe, Africa and Asia.
The aircraft combines the cruising speed of a light jet with the economic direct operating costs, range and useful load of its proven single-engine turboprop predecessor – the TBM 700, which EADS Socata produced between 1990 and 2005.
“Many of our customers have purchased the new TBM 850 after directly comparing its advantages against the Very Light Jets,” said EADS Socata Chairman & CEO Jean-Michel Léonard. “In addition, the TBM 850 is proving its reliability, efficiency and ruggedness in operational service – continuing the proven heritage of our TBM 700.”
EADS Socata expects to deliver 50 TBM 850s this year, of which 41 are for the U.S. market. In 2006 – the first year of availability for the six-seat, pressurized, aircraft – EADS Socata delivered a total of 42 TBM 850s.
“Our sales are way above what we had at this same time a year ago, and only a couple of aircraft are still available from our distributors,” said Nicolas Chabbert, EADS Socata’s Vice President Sales & Marketing, and the President of EADS Socata North America. “More than 100 TBM 850s have been ordered in less than 18 months. This is an excellent sales milestone, and we see continued strong momentum for the TBM 850.”
The TBM 850 is available via EADS Socata’s existing direct sales and distribution network, and is supported by its extensive worldwide network of - 2 - service centers. Price for the TBM 850 is $2,626,910, fitted with the latest-generation Garmin GMX 200 Multi-function display (MFD) as standard equipment.
In addition to its business aviation role, the TBM 850 also is well tailored for other applications, including aerial photography; MEDEVAC; the inspection and calibration of flight navigation systems; and as a multi-role platform for homeland security, border patrol, drug interdiction, law enforcement and special operations missions.
To date, more than 385 TBM aircraft have been produced by EADS Socata
EADS Socata is one of the world’s leading general aviation manufacturers, with more than 17,000 aircraft built since its creation as Morane-Saulnier in 1911. Current products include the TBM family of high-speed turboprops, TB GT piston aircraft, aerostructures for Airbus civil airliners, the A400M military transporter, Dassault Falcon jets, Eurocopter helicopters and Embraer regional jets. EADS Socata is expanding its customer service activities, to support its growing fleet of TBM and offer its light aviation expertise for aircraft below 5.7 metric tons through avionics modernization, maintenance, repair and overall package offers. Headquartered in Tarbes, France, with North American operations in Pembroke Pines, Florida, EADS Socata is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS – a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services.
