Exhibited at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin – home of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual AirVenture gathering – is DAHER-SOCATA’s Model Year 2009 TBM 850 corporate demonstrator, which carries the new “High Flyer” standard paint scheme.
It is being shown with the 500th TBM aircraft produced by DAHER-SOCATA – a TBM 850 that is flown by Dr. Ian Blair Fries and Susan Fries, who are President and Vice President, respectively, of the Wilmington, Delaware-based Airborne, Inc. Painted in a special gold and white color scheme, this TBM 850 was delivered to the Fries last February, replacing the TBM 700 they previously owned.
“We are very grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Fries, who have brought this symbolic 500th TBM to the 2009 AirVenture fly-in,” said Nicolas Chabbert, the President of SOCATA North America. “Their dedication is very important to DAHER-SOCATA, and is a further demonstration of our customers’ loyalty to the TBM – which confirms our business outlook for the future of this very fast turboprop.”
Both aircraft at AirVenture are outfitted with Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) for their Garmin G1000 all-glass integrated flight deck, which is available as an option on the TBM 850.
The 2009 AirVenture event, which opens today and runs through August 2, is expected to host some 10,000 aircraft of all types, including the Airbus A380 – which will be flown by Airbus test pilot Claude Lelaie, who previously was SOCATA’s vice president of engineering.
“Many TBM customers will come together at Oshkosh this week for an opportunity to exchange their operating experience and compare the benefits of owning the market’s leading very fast turboprop transport,” Chabbert added. “Our operators are the true ‘ambassadors’ for the TBM – as they always are ready to discuss their choice of the best-value airplane, which is the right alternative to the business transportation needs of medium and small companies. DAHER-SOCATA is totally committed to backing this aircraft and its customer base with the best service possible.”
DAHER-SOCATA’s distributor network is now broadening the availability of its F.A.S.T (Fly and Share Your TBM) program, which offers the opportunity to purchase a one-third or two-thirds share of a brand-new TBM 850 on a co-ownership basis. Following its launch in North America, F.A.S.T. is now available for prospective European TBM 850 customers. This program provides a minimum 100 days of exclusive TBM 850 use per year for a one-third share on an unlimited flight hour basis, which differs from traditional fractional programs requiring the purchase of annual flight hours that are either used or lost.
The TBM 850 is available via DAHER-SOCATA’s existing direct sales and distribution network, and is supported by its extensive worldwide system of service centers. Since its launch in 2005, the TBM 850 has become an international success – with more than 200 aircraft sold, and 164 delivered to date to customers around the globe. As the world’s fastest single engine turboprop, the TBM 850 has a maximum cruise speed of 320 KTAS. at 26,000 ft. (ISA conditions). It is an 850-shp. version of SOCATA’s proven six-seat TBM 700 turboprop business aircraft, and combines the cruising speed and travel times typical of light jets with economical direct operating costs, while offering the range and excellent payload capacity of a turboprop aircraft.
About DAHER-SOCATA
DAHER is a European integrated equipment and services supplier.
In addition to aerospace, DAHER specializes in three other sectors: nuclear, defense and industries. DAHER is developing in three fields of expertise: manufacturing, services and transport, which enable it to offer a comprehensive package.
DAHER-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 850 high-speed turboprop aircraft, aerostructures for Airbus civil airliners, the A400M military transporter, Dassault Falcon jets, Eurocopter helicopters and Embraer regional jets.
For more information, visit www.daher.com and www.tbm850.com
