Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 27, 2007
EADS Socata’s TBM 850 business aircraft has surpassed the 100-order milestone as this single-engine very fast turboprop consolidates its success in the United States and internationally.
Launched in December 2005, the TBM 850 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.
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, with 36 of them going to U.S. customers.
“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.”
U.S. TBM 850 deliveries so far in 2007 include an aircraft for Newport Beach, California real estate developer Walter Eeds – a previous TBM 700 owner. This aircraft is the 61st TBM 850 received by a customer, and it was delivered today at the EAA AirVenture air show at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where EADS Socata has a high-profile presence.
“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.”
