First Production Socata TBM 700C2 Rolls Out

EADS Socata rolls out TBM 700C2 serial number 257 from the factory, the first production TBM 700C2 certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

This is a major step for the TBM 700 program, which was the first civilian pressurized single turboprop certified in 1990 and whose first flight dates back to 1988.

The TBM 700C2 is the culmination of twelve years of refining the TBM and constant commitment to customers. The original 1990 TBM 700 was followed by the B model with the large door and optional pilot door in 1999. The freight version was developed in 2001. Its most pronounced new feature is its strengthened airframe (spar box and wing attachments) allowing a maximum take off weight of 7,394 lbs (3,354 kg). This increase enables the new version to deliver bigger payload/range performance to TBM operators.

A 1,074 NM maximum range with 45-minute fuel reserves has been calculated for the C2 with 1,347 lbs (611 kg) at 300 KTAS. Carrying 805 lbs (365 kg) of payload, the new TBM can take off with full fuel and fly over 1,670 NM distance at 255 KTAS with 45-minute fuel reserves. The TBM 700C2 fulfills the needs of operators requesting long-range capability.

The C2’s maximum take-off weight increase results in a 65 KIAS accepted by Amendment 44 of FAR Part 23 for an aircraft equipped with 20G dynamically tested passenger seats. Heavy wheels and 10-ply tires have also been added to this model as enhanced features. The TBM 700C2 is available for delivery in the US and in countries accepting FAR 23, Amendment 44 as a certification rule, and for aircraft operated under US registration.

In other countries, EADS Socata will offer a C1 version of the redesigned TBM 700. This version has the same strengthened structure of the C2 version with the exception of the 20G seats, wheels, and 10-ply tires. It retains the 6,579 lbs (2,984kg) maximum take-off weight and features equivalent performance and weight figures as the current TBM 700 B. Fast and lightweight, the TBM 700 C1 is perfectly suitable for short-haul routes and well tailored for European customers.

The C1 benefits from the enhancements now included in the C2 in terms of comfort and avionics, such as:

The TBM 700’s avionics suite is built around proven equipment, already available in the 2002 models, including a full communication and navigation suite with dual Garmin GNS 530’s combining IFR GPS receivers with large color moving maps and fully digital, 3,040-channel (25 kHz and 8,33 kHz spacing) communication system. Thanks to a huge database, the GNS 530 provides the same level of information airline pilots receive from their flight management system.

Additionally, the TBM 700 C panel includes the Honeywell Integrated Hazard and Awareness System (IHAS 8000). The IHAS 8000 is an advanced interactive system that integrates the four major airborne safety systems:

Also standard on the TBM 700C2 is the Shadin ETM 700 Trend Monitoring System, which enables the pilot to monitor the performance of the engine in real time. Other new features include the ELT, which is now connected to the GPS and is located in a dedicated compartment with external access for easy checking.

Certification of the TBM 700 C model took 18 months to complete. The entire flight envelope was tested on two prototypes: The TBM 700 prototype 02 loaded to 7,600 lbs for flight controls and performance testing and the TBM 700C2 prototype. Together they have performed over 120 hours of intensive flight-testing.

As of March 1st, 2003, approximately 230 TBM 700’s have been delivered worldwide of which 139 are registered in the US, and 39 in Europe. Other aircraft are in service in Australia, Japan, Indonesia and other countries.

EADS Socata is Europe’s Leading General Aviation manufacturer with an annual average production of 100 aircraft as well as an industrial partner of major aerospace programs such as the latest Airbus A380 and Falcon 7X Business Tri-Jet. Its headquarters is located in Paris Le Bourget Airport on a 128-acre industrial park located at the Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees Airport, near Toulouse.

EADS Socata is a 100 percent subsidiary of EADS, a global aerospace and defence leader, and the world’s second largest in terms of revenue. EADS maintains a workforce of more than 100,000 and is a market leader in defence technologies, commercial aircraft (Airbus), helicopters (Eurocopter), space, military aircraft, as well as related services.

EADS Socata
Aéroport de Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées
65921 Tarbes Cedex 9
France

EADS Socata reserves the right to revise all information contained in this document whenever necessary by product improvements, government regulations or other good cause.