Turboprops Are Still Alive And Well, Thank You

With new ownership comes a new record for the company now known as Daher-Socata. The European planemaker announced this week it delivered 60 TBM 850 single-engine turboprop business aircraft in 2008, bringing total deliveries for the type to 148 planes.

That figure, which comes less than two years after the type was introduced, builds on the 323 TBM 700s delivered since 1990. The majority of the 2008 TBM 850 models were purchased in the US, though European deliveries increased to 20% of the total order book for the year.

The company also recorded new sales from Australia, Bulgaria and Brazil.

"I am proud that a highly symbolic milestone for the TBM program was reached with another record year deliveries of 60 TBM 850s. It was supported by the efforts and the commitment of our teams, the distributors and thanks to the confidence and loyalty of our customers," said Jean-Michel Léonard, President of Socata and CEO of Daher-Socata. "This excellent result confirms that our TBM 850 is the right product at the right time, when a decline of the turboprop was predicted against Very Light Jets."

"More and more of small and medium bizjet owners are now considering the Very Fast Turboprop TBM 850 as the right alternative to a very light jet -- or other jet-powered aircraft -- which are more expensive to operate," added Nicolas Chabbert, vice-president Sales & Marketing of Socata. "The current economic conditions will create some opportunities for the TBM 850, which has an excellent quality-price ratio and very low operating costs."

Daher is a European integrated equipment and services supplier, which reached final agreement to purchase Socata from EADS in November 2008. In addition to aerospace, Daher specializes in three other sectors: nuclear, defense and industries.

FMI: www.daher.com, www.tbm850.com