Lakeland, Florida, April 08, 2008
EADS Socata is unveiling a new paint scheme for its TBM 850 Very Fast Turboprop with a special display at this week’s Sun ’n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida.
“Sun ’n Fun traditionally heralds the start-up of a year’s aviation gatherings, and it is the best venue to introduce our 2008 TBM 850 to the general public,” explained Nicolas Chabbert, the president of EADS Socata North America. “This follows a series of exclusive TBM 850 events specifically for our customers – and to catch crowd’s eye, we’re now introducing a new paint scheme to highlight the lines of our Very Fast Turboprop.”
EADS Socata also has created a TBM 850 logo as a distinctive identity for the Model 2008 version. “While our new look underscores the TBM 850 2008’s speed and performance, the best of this new business aircraft is on the inside,” Chabbert added.
Upgrades in the 2008 variant of EADS Socata’s popular TBM850 include an integrated all-glass flight deck based on the last-generation Garmin G1000 system – replacing traditional instruments with large liquid crystal display (LCD) screens. It integrates primary flight, navigation, weather, traffic, ground proximity and technical information on the aircraft, fully associated with a digital autopilot. This reduces pilot workload and eases maintenance. As a result, the TBM 850 is one of the world’s most advanced light business aircraft available today.
The TBM 850 is world’s fastest single turboprop aircraft, with a maximum cruising speed of 320 KTAS at Flight Level 260 (in ISA conditions). It combines cruising speed and trip times of a light jet with the economic direct operating costs, range and moderate environmental signature of a turboprop engine. Its maximum range and useful load – which are enhanced on the new model, and the ability to land at small airports are some of its customers’ favorite features.
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 group.
About EADS (www.eads.net)
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2007, EADS generated revenues of € 39.1 billion and employed a workforce of about 116,000. The Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and EADS Astrium, the European leader in space programs from Ariane to Galileo. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, develops the A400M through its Military Transport Aircraft Division, and holds a stake in the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems.
