TBM 850 Customers speak out at NBAA’06
TBM 850 customers prefer the TBM 850 Very Fast Turboprop over other new alternatives.
Orlando, 17 October 2006
A sample of the first TBM 850 customers have accepted to explained in public the reason of their choice for the TBM 850 Very Fast Turboprop (VFT) over new and sometimes slightly faster aircraft.
John Hinshaw, a previous owner of a TBM 700C2, was the first to order a TBM 850 in December 2005 when the aircraft was announced. He took delivery of his aircraft in June at the factory in France to fly it by himself to the US. Here are the reasons of his decision : “I spent about two years shopping for an aircraft and TBM always rose to the top. We needed an aircraft that can go 1,000 Nm non-stop with head wind.” he said.
About the experience of flying this VFT across the Atlantic, Bruce Ravenel, one of the first two owners to receive the keys of the TBM 850 says: “My adventure began when I went at the factory in France to fly my aircraft to the USA. It was an incredible experience. During the ferry flight to Orlando (Florida) via stops in Nasarsuaq (Greenland) and Goose Bay (Canada) we constantly saw that the performance numbers exceeded those of the Pilot Operating Handbook. The most noticeable change is when you push the flaps lever to transition from 700 hp to 850 hp you get quite a kick in the seat of your pants. I love the TBM 850. Il est Fantastique.” he concluded.
First TBM 850 in Canada, Adrian Met explains: “I needed my first turbine aircraft to be easy to fly, fast, efficient and have a proven record. I evaluated several different turboprops and light jets, and the TBM 850 was the obvious choice.”
In a recent survey to the first 20 TBM 850 customers, the following top five items have been ranked and they summarize the qualities of the TBM 850 VFT:
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speed – the maximum speed of 320 KTAS
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fuel consumption of 55 US Gal/h
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850 lbs payload with maximum fuel
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1365 NM range at Maximum Speed
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14 US dedicated service centers
Nicolas Chabbert, Vice President Aircraft Sales & Marketing of EADS Socata commented: “We do not need to compare the TBM 850 Very Fast Turboprop. Go with the word of our customers telling you that the TBM850 is the best efficient solution in this segment of the market. No need to choose which performance you need, you have them all at 320 kts, including comfort and superior quality”.
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, and its North American operations are located Pembroke Pines, Florida. EADS Socata is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS – a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services.
Media Contacts:
| Karelle Michel | Americas |
Tel.: + 1 954 893 1412 www.socata.eads.net |
| Philippe de Segovia | International |
Tel.: +33 (0)6 70 21 70 47 www.socata.eads.net |
