Program Launched Over 20 Years Ago

Daher-Socata delivered its 500th TBM-series aircraft this week, a milestone company officials say underscores the continuing demand for the TBM 850 in today's economic and operating environment.

The milestone aircraft with serial production number 500 was painted in a special gold and white color scheme at the request of its new owners -- Dr. Ian Blair Fries and Susan Fries, who are President and Vice President, respectively, of the Wilmington, DE Airborne, Inc.

Keys to the TBM 850 were handed over to the Fries by Jean-Michel Léonard, Socata President and CEO of Daher-Socata, during a ceremony at the factory in Tarbes, France. The TBM 850 is follow-on to the TBM 700 previously owned by the couple.

An active pilot, Dr. Fries has logged more than 5,000 flight hours, and holds an ATP license with a Certified Flight Instructor Instrument rating. Dr. Fries also is a senior aviation medical examiner who chairs the Aircraft Owners Pilot Association (AOPA) Medical Advisory Panel, and he sits on the AOPA Air Safety Foundation Board.

"The sadness at leaving our faithful TBM 700 is compensated by our pride and pleasure in receiving the new TBM 850, with its notable improvements that include gross weight and performance increases, and the new avionics," Dr. Fries said. "One of reasons that Daher-Socata has been so successful is the superb service given to customers. Just one example is your willingness to customize the aircraft to please us."

"When the TBM program was launched more than 20 years ago, attaining the serial number 500 milestone was an ambition -- now it's a reality," commented Nicolas Chabbert, the Senior Vice-President of Daher-Socata General Aviation, and President of SOCATA North America.

"We are very grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Fries who, in replacing their TBM 700, wanted to have this symbolic 500th aircraft."

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