DAHER-SOCATA delivers its 500th TBM-series aircraft
The milestone TBM 850 is customized for a faithful customer
Tarbes, 05 February 2009
DAHER-SOCATA delivered its 500th TBM aircraft today, marking a key program milestone and underscoring the continuing demand for this very high speed turboprop transport in today’s economic and operating environment.
The milestone aircraft with serial production number 500 is a TBM 850, which has been painted in a special gold and white color scheme at the request of its proud new owners – Dr. Ian Blair Fries and Susan Fries, who are President and Vice President, respectively, of the Wilmington, Delaware-based Airborne, Inc.
Keys to the TBM 850 were handed over to the Fries by Jean-Michel Léonard, the President of SOCATA and CEO of DAHER-SOCATA, during a ceremony at the factory in Tarbes, France. This TBM 850 is follow-on to the TBM 700 they previously owned.
Dr. Fries is a leading personality in the U.S. general aviation community. An active pilot, he has logged more than 5,000 flight hours, and holds an ATP license with a Certified Flight Instructor Instrument rating. Dr. Fries also is a senior aviation medical examiner who chairs the Aircraft Owners Pilot Association (AOPA) Medical Advisory Panel, and he sits on the AOPA Air Safety Foundation Board.
“The sadness at leaving our faithful TBM 700 is compensated by our pride and pleasure in receiving the new TBM 850, with its notable improvements that include gross weight and performance increases, and the new avionics,” Dr. Fries said. “One of reasons that DAHER-SOCATA has been so successful is the superb service given to customers. Just one example is your willingness to customize the aircraft to please us.”
“When the TBM program was launched more than 20 years ago, attaining the serial number 500 milestone was an ambition – now it’s a reality,” commented Nicolas Chabbert, the Senior Vice-President of DAHER-SOCATA General Aviation, and President of SOCATA North America. “We are very grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Fries who, in replacing their TBM 700, wanted to have this symbolic 500th aircraft.”
Chabbert added the Fries’ loyalty is very important to DAHER-SOCATA, and is a further endorsement of the company’s dedication to customer service – which represents an important part of our business model.
“In this current economy, the TBM 850 is the best choice and the right alternative to business transportation needs of medium and small companies, and DAHER-SOCATA is totally committed to backing this aircraft with the best customer service possible,” he said.
The TBM 850 is the world’s fastest single engine turboprop, with a maximum cruising speed of 320 KTAS at 26,000 ft. (in ISA conditions). An 850-shp version of SOCATA’s proven six-seat TBM 700 turboprop business aircraft, the TBM 850 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 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.
DAHER-SOCATA is expanding its customer service activities to support its growing fleet of TBMs and offer its light aviation expertise for aircraft below 19,000 lbs (8.6 metric tons) through avionics modernization, maintenance, repair and overall package offers.
Founded in 1863, DAHER is an exclusively family-run, independent international group, with more than 7,200 employees and 12 international installations (four in Western Europe, three in Eastern Europe, two in North America, two in Africa and one in Australia). DAHER will exceed a €930 million turnover in 2009.
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Contact
| Philippe de Segovia |
Tel.: +33 (0) 6 70 21 70 47 mailto: p.de-segovia@socata.daher.com |
