First TBM 850 in South Africa
- World’s fastest single turboprop has landed in South Africa
Tarbes, 15 May 2007
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EADS Socata announces today the delivery of the first Very Fast Turboprop TBM 850 to Bravo Capital, a South African company involved in property development and mining activities. Typically the TBM 850 will be used for corporate travels of 1,000 to 1,200 Nm between its Johannesburg headquarters and current property development projects in the Kruger National Park and Mozambique Islands, or for flights to neighbour African countries.
“We previously owned a high-performance single engine piston aircraft, a Raven then a Piper Malibu Mirage, before we decided to go for a turboprop. After a complete review of the available single engine turboprop, we found that the TBM 850 was a much more manageable aircraft and the best to fulfil our mission. So we bought it. The speed of the TBM 850, the very luxurious interior and its useful load were the main criteria for our choice. The TBM 850 is the ideal corporate aircraft.” Explained Attie Botha, CEO of Bravo Capital.
Mr Botha, holder of a private certificate with Instrument rating, will be seconded by three commercial pilots for a busy activity of 40 flight hours per month. The TBM850 will be maintained and operated by Nature Link, an EADS Socata Service Center and Sales Representative for South Africa. The aircraft will be available for rent executive charter when not used by Bravo Capital.
“We are happy to see the TBM 850 extending its wings over the wild ranges of the African continent. Being selected by a fast growing company, we are confident that Mr. Botha will enjoy the use of his aircraft” said Nicolas Chabbert, EADS Socata’s VP Sales and Marketing. “It is another good sign that the Very Fast Turboprop TBM850 from EADS Socata is taking off worldwide, after the US, France, UK, Germany, Portugal, Mexico, Brazil, Russia and Australia.” He added.
EADS Socata is one of the world’s leading general aviation manufacturers, with more than 17,000 aircraft built since its creation as Morane-Saulnier in 1911. Current products include the TBM family of high-speed turboprops, TB GT piston aircraft, aerostructures for Airbus civil airliners, the A400M military transporter, Dassault Falcon jets, Eurocopter helicopters and Embraer regional jets. EADS Socata is expanding its customer service activities, to support its growing fleet of TBM and offer its light aviation expertise for aircraft below 5,7 tons through avionics modernization, maintenance, repair and overall package offers. Headquartered in Tarbes, France, with North American operations in Pembroke Pines, Florida, EADS Socata is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS – a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services
Media contacts:
| Philippe de Segovia |
Tel.: +33 (0)670 21 70 47 www.socata.eads.net |
