For Some, It Was A VERY Long Trip

Aero-News learned this week the annual TBM Owners and Pilots Association (TBMOPA) event held in Coeur d’Alene, ID this year rallied over 70 aircraft and 200 attendees.

More than 70 TBM aircraft flew from all over the world to Coeur d’Alene. The travelers who made the longest trip were a crew of the French Army Aviation transport squadron, whose journey from France's Rennes Air Force base to Idaho was accomplished in a mere 24 flight hours.

"We are very pleased to be among the owners for this event and exchange our shared passion for the TBM," said Stéphane Mayer, Chairman and CEO of EADS Socata, who participated in the event. "The annual convention is a great opportunity for EADS Socata to show the milestone to the owner on what we do to better support them and listen to their feedback."

During the four day-event, participants had the opportunity to attend various technical conferences, forums and recreational activities. Among numerous presentations, the most memorable guest speaker was Al Haynes -- the retired United Airlines captain who miraculously survived the crash landing of his DC 10 after the loss of the hydraulic systems in 1989.

"TBMOPA was founded to enhance the safety and ownership experience for the TBM family. Our annual convention is our largest opportunity to meet with our membership as well as with Socata and other vendors and this year’s meeting broke all records in terms of attendees and in the quality and quantity of the information that was provided to our members," said TBMOPA chairman, Tom Evernham.

"We were particularly pleased by EADS Socata’s release of Component Maintenance Manuals to owners (which is an issue we had been working with them during the last year). We believe that this move by Socata will both increase safety while reducing the costs of TBM ownership for our members. This is a real sign of the cooperative working relationship which has been forged between EADS Socata and TBMOPA." he added.

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. EADS Socata manufactures the TBM 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 A380 -- the A400M military transport, the Dassault Falcon 7X as well as Eurocopter helicopters and Embraer regional jets.

The company is headquartered in Tarbes, France, with its North American operations located in Pembroke Pines, FL.

FMI: www.socata.com