New Six-Seat Aircraft To Compete Directly With Very Light Jets

EADS Socata has unveiled the newest member of its TBM family – the six-seat TBM 850 pressurized single-engined turboprop. The TBM 850 builds on the success of the TBM 700 business aircraft and offers owners and pilots a maximum cruise speed of 320 KTAS at FL260 in ISA conditions. This will give TBM 850 operators the advantage of the cruising speeds typical of light jets, with the economical direct operating costs of a single-engined turboprop.

The TBM 850 is already certified by EASA (the European airworthiness authority), with FAA certification expected soon. Deliveries will begin early in 2006. The new aircraft will be available via EADS Socata’s existing direct sales and distribution network, and will be supported by its extensive worldwide network of service centers.

Base price of the TBM 850 is set at $2,576,930 in 2006. A version with typical customer options and equipped for RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum) operation will list at $2,799,850.

“The TBM 850 is the fruit of our close relationship with TBM customers. We listened to their requests to make the fastest aircraft in its class even faster, and the result is the TBM 850 – which we believe is the ultimate personal aircraft,” said EADS Socata Chairman and CEO Stéphane Mayer.

"Jet-like cruise speeds, improved climb and ‘hot and high’ performance are coupled with low direct operating costs, insurability and proven technology. These attributes are sure to make the TBM 850 a success with both existing and new owners/operators.

“We believe the TBM 850 will help us to strengthen our market position in business and private aviation, and this is demonstrated by the fact that more than two-thirds of next year’s production has been sold before the first TBM 850 aircraft leaves the production line. The TBM 850 is also a good example of EADS’ global sourcing strategy with over 70% of its bill of materials originating in North America, and more than 80% of TBM aircraft sales to the U.S. market,” Mayer added.

Hot and high performance, (often a weakness for turboprops and light jets) is not an issue for the TBM 850. As an example, at an altitude of FL310 in ISA +20°C conditions, the TBM 850’s cruise performance increases by more than 55 knots over the TBM 700 C2 (EADS Socata’s current flagship aircraft).

All-important climb performance also is substantially improved over typical turboprops. The TBM 850’s time-to-climb is a mere 15 minutes to an altitude of FL260 (almost 25% faster than the TBM 700 C2), and 20 minutes to its service ceiling of FL310 at gross weight.

The TBM 850 offers jet performance and excellent short-field characteristics without exposing owners and pilots to the huge leap in direct operating costs, time-consuming transition training, and the insurance premiums associated with the emerging category of light jets. In addition, the TBM 850 benefits directly from the 15 years of proven experience gained with the TBM 700.

However, these performance improvements do not detract from the TBM 850’s long-range cruise capabilities. Owners selecting the long range cruise power setting in an RVSM-equipped TBM 850 will be able to fly direct from Minneapolis to Miami (while most light jets will need to make an intermediate fuel stop). Even at long-range (economy) cruise, the TBM 850 offers cruise speeds of more than 250 KTAS at FL310 – which is as fast as the maximum cruise speed of some competing single-engine turboprops at similar altitudes.

The powerplant of the TBM 850 is Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6A-66D. The PT6A-66D delivers 1,825 eshp flat-rated to 850 shp for the TBM 850. Its single-crystal compressor turbine blades enable higher operating temperatures and, coupled with a new first-stage compressor design, gives the TBM 850 its enhanced high-altitude performance.

FMI: www.socata.eads.net