EADS N.V. - First ceremonial deliveries of the TBM 850 in Florida

EADS Socata announces today the first deliveries of the newest member of its family of high performance pressurized turboprops — the TBM 850.

The first three production TBM 850s flew from France to Florida a couple of days before the event and were presented during the TBM 850 introduction show in Florida to an audience of VIP and TBM customers which was concluded by a key-giving ceremony.

“My adventure began when I went at the factory in France to fly my aircraft to the USA. It was an incredible experience. During the ferry flight to Orlando (Florida) via stops in Nassarsuaq (Greenland) and Goose Bay (Canada) we constantly saw that the performance numbers exceeded those of the Pilot Operating Handbook. The most noticeable change is when you switch from 700 hp to 850 hp you get quite a kick in the seat of your pants. I love the TBM 850. Il est fantastique” said Bruce Ravenel, one the first two owners to receive the key of his TBM 850.

“The TBM 850 is a result of our thinking, heavily influenced by input from our customers, that “a faster TBM” would better address the owner-flown market place than building a whole new generation of aircraft. And now the result is here. Our order book is expanding rapidly and we are in the enviable position of having to advise potential customers to “order quickly to avoid disappointment” said Stephane Mayer, Chairman and CEO of EADS Socata.

John Inshaw, first customer to order a TBM 850, confirmed : “As a TBM owner, I was excited to get a new aircraft because my existing TBM 700 aircraft has retained its value and the new TBM 850 is a fabulous aircraft in terms of performance, quality of construction, warranty protection and the overall cost of operations.”

Built on the success of the TBM 700, the TBM 850 offers its pilots and operators a maximum cruising speed of 320 KTAS at flight level 260 (in ISA conditions) combining the cruising speed of a light jet with the economic direct operating costs of a single-engined turboprop.

The powerplant of the TBM 850 is Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6A-66D, the latest addition to the world’s most popular family of turboprop engines, (with over 32,000 engines produced to date). The PT6A-66D delivers 1,825 eshp flat-rated to 850 shp for the TBM 850. Its single-crystal compressor blades enable higher turbine temperatures and coupled with a new first-stage compressor design gives the TBM 850 its enhanced high-altitude performance. The aircraft is available via EADS Socata’s existing direct sales and distribution network, and will be supported by its extensive worldwide network of service centers.

EADS Socata is one of the world’s leading general aviation manufacturers with more than 6,000 aircraft flying in 65 countries, continuing a tradition initiated by Morane-Saulnier in 1911, which includes the MS 760 ParisJet, the world’s first business jet. EADS Socata manufactures the TBM 850 high-speed turboprop and the TB GT range of piston-engined touring and training aircraft, as well as being an industrial partner of Airbus airliners (including the new Airbus A380), the A400M military transport, the Dassault Falcon 7X as well as Eurocopter helicopters and Embraer regional jets.

Based in France, with North American operations at Pembroke Pines, Florida, EADS Socata is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world.