DAHER-SOCATA has intro'd the latest version of the TBM 850 to the US market. Featured with a new standard paint scheme, the 2009 TBM 850 demonstrator brought to Florida this week  incorporates the new optional Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT), which now is available for the aircraft's Garmin G1000 all-glass integrated flight deck.

The SVT provides three-dimensional depictions of the terrain, obstacles and traffic on the G1000's primary flight displays - providing enhanced situation awareness. As a result, the TBM 850's instrument panel replicates what pilots would see outside the cockpit in a clear day, and the large format displays reduce workload and fit well into a normal cockpit scan.

DAHER-SOCATA also is actively promoting the F.A.S.T (Fly and Share Your TBM) co-ownership program to prospective buyers in the U.S. market. This program - launched one month ago - opens purchase opportunities for a one-third or two-thirds share of a brand-new TBM 850 on a co-ownership basis. For the one-third share, a minimum 100 days of exclusive use is provided per year on an unlimited flight hour basis - which differs from traditional fractional programs requiring the purchase of annual flight hours that are either used or lost.

Nicolas Chabbert, President of SOCATA North America claims that, "The unique combination of the F.A.S.T incentive ownership program and the aircraft's excellent range - plus its good useful load and jet-like speed - continues to make the TBM 850 a preferred option for many buyers. In addition, its environmental friendliness and lower cost of operation are particularly attractive attributes today."

Since the TBM 850's launch at the end of 2005, this aircraft has become an international success - with more than 200 sold, and over 150 delivered to customers around the globe.

The TBM 850 has a maximum cruise speed of 320 KTAS at 26,000 ft. (in ISA conditions). An 850-shp version of SOCATA's proven six-seat TBM 700 turboprop business aircraft, DAHER-SOCATA claims that the TBM 850 combines the cruising speed and travel times typical of light jets with economical direct operating costs, while offering the range and excellent payload capacity of turboprop aircraft.

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