For Some, It Was A VERY Long Trip
Aero-News learned this week the annual TBM Owners and Pilots
Association (TBMOPA) event held in Coeur d’Alene, ID this
year rallied over 70 aircraft and 200 attendees.
More than 70 TBM aircraft flew from all over the world to Coeur
d’Alene. The travelers who made the longest trip were a crew
of the French Army Aviation transport squadron, whose journey from
France's Rennes Air Force base to Idaho was accomplished in a mere
24 flight hours.
"We are very pleased to be among the owners for this event and
exchange our shared passion for the TBM," said Stéphane
Mayer, Chairman and CEO of EADS Socata, who participated in the
event. "The annual convention is a great opportunity for EADS
Socata to show the milestone to the owner on what we do to better
support them and listen to their feedback."
During the four day-event, participants had the opportunity to
attend various technical conferences, forums and recreational
activities. Among numerous presentations, the most memorable guest
speaker was Al Haynes -- the retired United Airlines captain who
miraculously survived the crash landing of his DC 10 after the loss
of the hydraulic systems in 1989.
"TBMOPA was founded to enhance the safety and ownership
experience for the TBM family. Our annual convention is our largest
opportunity to meet with our membership as well as with Socata and
other vendors and this year’s meeting broke all records in
terms of attendees and in the quality and quantity of the
information that was provided to our members," said TBMOPA
chairman, Tom Evernham.
"We were particularly pleased by EADS Socata’s release of
Component Maintenance Manuals to owners (which is an issue we had
been working with them during the last year). We believe that this
move by Socata will both increase safety while reducing the costs
of TBM ownership for our members. This is a real sign of the
cooperative working relationship which has been forged between EADS
Socata and TBMOPA." he added.
EADS Socata is one of the world’s leading general aviation
manufacturers with more than 6,000 aircraft flying in 65 countries,
continuing a tradition initiated by Morane-Saulnier in 1911. EADS
Socata manufactures the TBM high-speed turboprop and the TB GT
range of piston-engined touring and training aircraft, as well as
being an industrial partner of Airbus airliners -- including the
A380 -- the A400M military transport, the Dassault Falcon 7X as
well as Eurocopter helicopters and Embraer regional jets.
The company is headquartered in Tarbes, France, with its North
American operations located in Pembroke Pines, FL.