 | ||||
|
TBM 850 serial number 400 is delivered to U.S. customers
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, June 25, 2007
EADS Socata today announced the delivery of a new TBM 850 business aircraft into the U.S. market that carries the symbolic serial number 400 in the TBM series. This is the 55th TBM 850 received by customers in just over a year since the first of these new very fast turboprops rolled out at EADS Socata’s Tarbes, France factory.
The latest TBM 850 belongs to Mr. and Mrs. Jerry B. Fussell, from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This couple had owned a Socata TBM 700 and a TB 21 Trinidad GT. After EADS Socata announced the availability of its TBM 850, the couple decided to transition to the increased-speed version of the TBM 700.
“When we decided to replace our 2000 TBM 700B, we seriously investigated the possibility of purchasing a Very Light Jet before the TBM 850 was announced by EADS Socata,” Jerry Fussell said. “The TBM 850 is perfect for the two of us. It offers more than comparable VLJs with more range, lower operating costs, load carrying capability, at comparable speed. Most importantly, the TBM has a proven and reliable airframe and engine. It’s not too big for just the two of us and yet it can also carry 2 or 3 passengers with full fuel.”
A nuclear engineering professor, Jerry Fussell founded a risk assessment consulting firm for complex engineered systems, which was sold in 1998 to the American Bureau of Shipping. His wife, Lori, a PhD engineer, is the founder of the Institute of Science, Ecology and the Environment.
"’We are pleased to have Jerry and Lori Fussell renew their confidence and select the TBM 850 especially after they ordered – then canceled – a VLJ,” said Nicolas Chabbert, the President of EADS Socata North America, and Vice-President Sales & Marketing of EADS Socata. “Their loyalty to our aircraft clearly indicates we were right to launch the Very Fast Turboprop TBM 850. More than 55 aircraft have been delivered out of the almost 100 ordered since the beginning of the TBM 850 program.”
Built on the success of the TBM 700, the Very Fast Turboprop TBM 850 offers its pilots and operators a maximum cruising speed of 320 KTAS at Flight Level 260, combining the cruising speed and trip times of a light jet with the economic direct operating costs, range and useful load of a already well proven world-class single-engine turboprop.
The TBM 850 is available via EADS Socata’s existing direct sales and distribution network, and is supported by its extensive worldwide network of 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.
About EADS Socata (www.socata.eads.net)
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.
About EADS North America
EADS North America is the North American operations of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $10 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 190,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. With 12 operating companies located in 30 cities and 17 states, EADS North America offers a broad array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and defense markets.
