TBM 850 program exceeds expectations
Order backlog for the World’s fastest single-engined turboprop at record levels
EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh, WI, 27 July 2006
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EADS Socata announced today that it has received 32 order for 2007 US deliveries valued at $91 million. These new orders bring the TBM total backlog to more than 50 aircraft.
"Since its introduction in December 2005, the TBM 850 has met with huge interest from the aviation public, clearly indicating we were right that a “faster TBM” would better address the owner-flown market place than building a whole new generation of aircraft” said Stephane Mayer, Chairman and CEO of EADS Socata. “Our order backlog now totals more than 50 aircraft, which is a record for the TBM program and is a real indication of the acceleration of customer interest in the TBM 850. This gives us significant confidence, and will allow us to continue to ramp up production to meet the strong levels of customer demand” he added.
“Our sales network continues to show remarkable growth and confidence that it will surpass this year’s sales numbers.” commented Nicolas Chabbert, EADS Socata’s Vice-President of Sales & Marketing.
Built on the success of the TBM 700, the TBM 850 offers its pilots and operators a maximum cruising speed of 320 KTAS at flight level 260 (in ISA conditions) combining the cruising speed of a light jet with the economic direct operating costs of a single-engined turboprop.
The powerplant of the TBM 850 is Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6A-66D, the latest and most powerful addition to the world’s most popular family of turboprop engines, (with over 32,000 engines produced to date). The PT6A-66D delivers 1,825 eshp flat-rated to 850 shp for the TBM 850. Its single-crystal compressor blades enable higher turbine temperatures and coupled with a new first-stage compressor design gives the TBM 850 its enhanced high-altitude performance.
The TBM 850 is available via EADS Socata’s existing direct sales and distribution network, and is supported by its extensive worldwide network of service centers.
EADS Socata is one of the world’s leading general aviation manufacturers, with more than 17,000 aircraft built since its birth as Morane-Saulnier in 1911, which includes the MS 760 ParisJet – the world’s first business jet. EADS Socata manufactures the TBM 850, world’s fastest single civilian turboprop and the TB GT piston touring and training aircraft. It also produces aerostructures for Airbus airliners (including the new A380 and A400M military transport), the Dassault Falcon 7X, 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 and defense.
Socata TBM 850 Key Development Mileston
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Project start: August, 2004
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First flight of the TBM 850 prototype: February, 2005
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Flight test campaign duration: 8 months including
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103 flights encompassing 162 flight hours
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600 performance measurement points
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40 in-flight relights
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Negative G maneuvers
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Flight quality investigations with 100 full power stalls, stability, maneuverability, Dutch rolls etc
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EASA certification : November, 2006
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FAA certification : January, 2006
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First flight of the first production TBM 850 : January, 2006
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TBM 850 deliveries as of July, 2006 – 20
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2006 TBM production – 42 aircraft (35% increase over 2005).
Socata TBM 850 in figures
| Powerplant | PWC PT6A-66D turboprop | |
| Thermodynamic power | 1825 eshp | 1 |
| Nominal power | 850 shp | 1,066 liters |
| Usable fuel capacity | 281.6 gal | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Overall length | 34.92 ft | 10.645 m |
| Wingspan | 41.60 ft | 12.680 m |
| Internal | ||
| Maximum freight volume in cabin | 123.6 cu. ft. | 3.5 cu.m |
| Loading | ||
| Basic empty weight | 4,699 lb | 2,132 kg |
| Maximum ramp weight (MRW) | 7, 430 lbs | 3,373 kg |
| Basic maximum payload | 1,333 lb | 605 kg |
| Maximum payload with maximum fuel | 849 lb | 385 kg |
| Maximum luggage in storage areas | 297 lb | 135 kg |
| Performance (ISA conditions, MTOW, No wind,) | ||
| Maximum Cruising Speed | 252 KTAS | 467 Km/h |
| At long-range settings | ||
| Maximum cruise speed | 320 KTAS | 593 km/h |
| At 26,000 ft | ||
| Time to climb to 26,000 ft | 15 min | |
| Time to climb to | 20 min | |
| Certified ceiling | 31,000 ft | 9,449 m |
| Distances (ISA conditions, MTOW, No wind, 50 ft obstacle clearance) | ||
| Takeoff | 2,840 ft | 866 m |
| Landing | 2,430 ft | 741 m |
| Maximum range (ISA conditions, MTOW, No wind, 45 min fuel reserve) | ||
| At long-range settings | ||
| With maximum payload | 1,100 Nm | 2,037 km |
| With maximum fuel | 1,520Nm | 2,815 km |
| At maximum cruise speed | ||
| With maximum payload | 1,005 Nm | 1,005 Nm |
| With maximum fuel | 1,365 Nm | 2,528 km |
Media contacts:
| Andrew Knott | Americas |
Tel.: +1(0)954 893 14 12 www.socata.eads.net |
| Philippe de Segovia | International |
Tel.: +33 (0)670 21 70 47 www.socata.eads.net |
