FL Ceremony Included Fireworks, Acrobats, And Planes (Oh My!)

Aero-News has learned the first two EADS Socata 2008, G1000-equipped TBM 850s were delivered to customers last Thursday, marking the formal entry of the upgraded single-engine turboprop into the commercial aviation market.

EADS Socata Chairman and CEO Jean-Michel Léonard handed over the TBM 850s during a delivery ceremony at Florida's Orlando Executive Airport, which was attended by more than 200 guests, and included presentations by performers from the Cirque du Soleil and Nova Era orchestra. In the company's typically understated style, the event concluded with a fireworks finale.

"Today's event culminates a major effort by EADS Socata to build on the TBM 850's already considerable success, further enhancing this aircraft's operability and capability in response to customer demand," Léonard said. "Our work doesn't stop here. EADS Socata's top priority will continue to be customer satisfaction, and we will intensify our efforts to increase customer service. In addition, we want to expand our core US market while also increasing the TBM 850's presence in other regions of the world."

The first 2008 TBM 850 was received by John LaBonte, the Chief Executive Officer of Big Bike Parts, a leading designer and distributor of touring motorcycle accessories based in Rice Lake, WI. LaBonte participated in the TBM 850's ferry flight to Florida, having completed his training on the new aircraft at EADS Socata's Tarbes, France production facility.

The ceremony came one week after the TBM 850's public unveiling at Tarbes, which was followed by the departure of the first two aircraft to the United States -- the largest market for the six-seat business transport.

"Last week's official public debut of our new TBM 850 definitely boosted its already strong product recognition," said Nicolas Chabbert, the President of EADS Socata North America. "We have surpassed the 60 aircraft order total for this year, which locks in the entire 2008 production. We are now into 2009 for the next available delivery slots."

As ANN reported, upgrades in this latest variant of the TBM 850 include an 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.

Chabbert underscored the TBM 850's speed and "eco-efficiency," which brings together two key features for owners and operators. "The TBM 850 is proving to be the perfect solution for the pilot/owner group segment, and we clearly anticipate it will attract other market sectors, such as small business and on-demand operations."

Aerobatic champion Mike Goulian was the guest of honor at the delivery ceremony, describing his impression of the new aircraft's features to the audience after flying as the 2008 TBM 850's first guest pilot.

"The Garmin G1000-equipped TBM 850 with its digital autopilot is fascinating and amazing," said Goulian, whose "day job" is a turboprop charter pilot. "The TBM 850's cockpit layout is superb and well engineered. This is the most advanced turboprop I have ever flown, and the handling characteristics are close to fighter aircraft I have had the opportunity to fly. It's a phenomenal aircraft with its speed, sturdy structure and incredible stability."

EADS Socata states TBM 850 is world's fastest single turboprop aircraft, with a maximum cruising speed of 320 KTAS at flight level 260 (in ISA conditions).

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