Garmin G1000 Fronts Expanded Interior

It would be hard to improve on a such an impressive performer as the TBM 850 single-engine turboprop...  but that said, if there was one area the previous generation aircraft came up lacking, it was in cockpit integration. That concern has been nicely addressed by EADS Socata for 2008, with a simple one-word explanation: Garmin.

On Thursday, the 2008 TBM 850 (company officials like to describe the plane as a "VFT," for "Very Fast Turboprop") six-seat business aircraft was unveiled by Chairman and CEO Jean-Michel Léonard during a “Discovery Show” held at the company’s factory in Tarbes, France.

Upgrades to the latest TBM 850 variant includes its Integrated All-Glass Flight Deck, based on the last-generation Garmin G1000 system -- which replaces traditional instruments with large liquid crystal display (LCD) screens. It integrates primary flight, navigation, weather, traffic, ground proximity and technical information on the aircraft, fully associated with a digital autopilot. This reduces pilot workload and eases maintenance, and brings the TBM 850 truly into the realm of the world’s most advanced light business aircraft.

In addition, the TBM 850’s environmental and vapor control system has been replaced by the Global Air Control System, which is more efficient and offers a dual zone temperature control.

EADS Socata also made some oft-requested improvements to the TBM 850's cabin. The aircraft’s interior has been entirely redesigned to offer more space and comfort, with a two-inch (5-cm) width increase and a one-inch (2-cm) ceiling rise. The changes also serve to reduce airframe weight, increasing the TBM 850’s useful load by 110 lbs.

Fuel tank capacity is boosted by 11 gallons, benefiting from a transfer in the fuel cap position. Maximum range increases from 1,330 naut. mi. to 1,410 naut. mi. at the maximum recommended cruise of 320 knots.

Developed in response to customer feedback, the TBM 850’s 2008 model has already achieved success in the market. Introduced to EADS Socata’s most faithful customers during the past several months, it has received a warm welcome -- and the 60 aircraft allocated for production in 2008 already have been sold.

“I’m proud and extremely pleased to present the new TBM,” Léonard told international attendees at the Discovery Show. “With this latest improvement to the best business aircraft in its class, the TBM program reaches even a higher level. And the market has responded: we broke a new sales record last year, and production pace is rising from four to five aircraft per month.”

“The new G1000-equipped TBM 850 is the result of our attention to customers.” explained Nicolas Chabbert, EADS Socata Vice President, and the head of Sales & Marketing. “Thanks to our sales success, we can now accept orders for deliveries mid-2009.”

FMI: www.tbm850.com, www.socata.eads.net