Fractional Ownership Program Spending Some Money At EBACE

Luxembourg-based JetFly loves its turboprop singles. Hot on the heels of its announcement at EBACE 2007 this week of six new Pilatus PC-12 orders, the fractional ownership program announced an additional order for four TBM 850s to supplement an existing fleet of three TBM 700s.

The first of these TBM 850s entered service Tuesday, according to company officials. Contract value is US $11.4 million.

"With outstanding performances equivalent to those of a light jet, the TBM850 comes at exactly the right time to support our company’s development," said founder and Managing Partner of JetFly Jacques Lemaigre du Breuil. "The aircraft can easily enter the increasingly dense European air traffic. It flies at 320 ktas at FL 260 without disrupting airliners, with an exceptional low fuel consumption ratio for such a speed."

The TBM850s for JetFly's fleet have been specially customized with an original paint scheme and interior created by architect and designer Jean-Michel Wilmotte.

"We are proud to have JetFly, a very dynamic company, among our customers," said Stéphane Mayer, Chairman and CEO of EADS Socata. "That they have chosen to order our new aircraft is evidence that the TBM 850 meets fractional ownership expectations. Their commitment to quality and excellence in their service are key to their well-deserved growth. I also take this opportunity to salute the longstanding confidence of the JetFly executives' longstanding confidence in the TBM concept, first as private individuals and then as JetFly's directors."

JetFly is the only European company dedicated to the management of aircraft under fractional ownership. Created in Luxembourg in 1999, JetFly operates the latest generation aircraft for more than 80 co-owners.

FMI: www.socata.eads.com, www.jetfly.net