Earns ASETPA Acceptance Two Years After Predecessor

Aero-News learned this week the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia (CASA) has made the TBM 850 eligible for public transportation of passengers and freight in all conditions of flight according to ASETPA (Approved Single Engine Turbine Powered Aircraft) rules, just two years after the TBM 700C2.

Built on the success of the TBM 700, the Very Fast Turboprop TBM 850 offers its pilots and operators what they expected: a maximum cruising speed of 320 KTAS at flight level 260 combining the cruising speed and trip times of a light jet with the economic direct operating costs, range and useful load a of a already well proven world-class single-engine turboprop. In 2007, base price for the TBM 850 is $2,626,910 featuring the last generation Garmin GMX200 Multi-function display (MFD) as standard equipment and deluxe leather interior.

"The decision of the Australian authorities confirms the high level of confidence of this new version of our single engine turboprop. It will open the doors to small air charter commercial operators with the need of a flexible access to short and unimproved runways and reliable aircraft," said Nicolas Chabbert, EADS Socata’s Vice President Sales & Marketing. "The ASETPA approval will help us to increase market penetration and reinforce an already good start."

EADS Socata is one of the world’s leading general aviation manufacturers, with more than 17,000 aircraft built since its creation as Morane-Saulnier in 1911. Current products include the TBM family of high-speed turboprops, TB GT piston aircraft, aerostructures for Airbus civil airliners, the A400M military transporter, Dassault Falcon jets, Eurocopter helicopters and Embraer regional jets.

FMI: www.socata.eads.com, www.casa.gov.au