Aircraft
Socata’s speedy TBM 850 takes on VLJ competitors
A couple of years ago, the imminent arrival of the new-generation very light jets posed a real threat to EADS Socata’s (Booth No.

A couple of years ago, the imminent arrival of the new-generation very light jets posed a real threat to EADS Socata’s (Booth No. 1432) TBM 700 family of single turboprops. This specter prompted the company to introduce the more powerful TBM 850 in December 2005. Its strategy seems to be working, with the French manufacturer claiming its new model offers nearly jet speed (320 ktas max cruise), along with very flexible performance characteristics and low operating costs.

Following two years of business stagnation in 2003 and 2004, Socata appears to have turned the corner. Chairman and CEO Stéphane Mayer told EBACE Convention News that prospects for this year are “very promising with sales of 50 TBM 850s within reach.” This optimism is further supported by a record backlog of 42 aircraft and a 19-percent increase in production rates.

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