TBM 850 model year 2008 at EBACE

The 2008 TBM 850 is making its first appearance at the annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2008), which is being held May 20-22 at Geneva’s Palexpo.

For the 2008 model year, EADS Socata’s popular TBM850 includes an all-glass flight deck based on the Garmin G1000 integrated flight instrument system. It replaces traditional instruments with large liquid crystal display (LCD) screens, while also integrating primary flight, navigation, weather, traffic, ground proximity and technical information – fully associated with a digital autopilot. This reduces pilot workload and eases maintenance. As a result, the TBM 850 is one of the world’s most advanced light business aircraft available today.

In addition, the TBM 850’s environmental and vapor control system has been replaced by the Global Air Control System from Liebherr Aerospace, which is more efficient and offers a true dual-zone temperature control – a first for an aircraft in the TBM category.

The aircraft’s cabin interior has been entirely redesigned to offer more space, elegance and comfort, with a 2-inch (5-cm.) width increase and a 1-inch (2-cm.) ceiling rise, along with superb leather finishing.

The aircraft displayed at EBACE, registration N851GC, has the new standard – and very streamlined – paint scheme, which highlights the TBM 850’s sleek lines and underscores its high performance.

“After a successful launch, we are convinced that the model year 2008 TBM 850 will strengthen our market position in Europe,” explained Jean-Michel Léonard, Chairman and CEO of EADS Socata. “We already have received an increased level of orders in Europe, and we look forward to supplying more aircraft to the corporate market. EBACE is an important air show for us.”

Nicolas Chabbert, EADS Socata’s Vice President – Sales and Marketing, said an increasing number of leading European companies are realizing the benefit of using corporate aircraft, especially in optimizing their time to help efficiently grow their business.

“The TBM850 is the perfect aircraft for Europe, and it clearly addresses the concerns over increasing costs of operation – especially with high fuel prices.” Chabbert added. “The TBM850 is an eco-efficient and flexible way of transportation. Our presence at the 2008 EBACE is the perfect way for us to meet customers and demonstrate that the TBM850 is a great alternative to commercial travel in Europe.”

After EBACE, the model 2008 TBM 850 will travel to Germany for the ILA Berlin Air Show, which runs from May 27 to June 1. This European TBM 850 demonstration tour for is supported by record sales – with the 2008 production of 60 aircraft already sold out. Sales remain strong for 2009, with orders now being taken for the remaining production line slots in the latter part of the year.
    
The TBM 850 is world’s fastest single turboprop aircraft, with a maximum cruising speed of 320 KTAS at Flight Level 260 (in ISA conditions). It combines cruising speed and trip times of a light jet with the economic direct operating costs, range and moderate environmental signature of a turboprop engine. The maximum range and useful load – which are enhanced on the new model – and the ability to land at small airports are some of its customers’ favorite features.  

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 metric 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 group.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2007, EADS generated revenues of € 39.1 billion and employed a workforce of about 116,000. The Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and EADS Astrium, the European leader in space programs from Ariane to Galileo. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, develops the A400M through its Military Transport Aircraft Division, and holds a stake in the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems.

New Garmin avionics G1000, tailored for the TBM 850, true integration of technology, now replaces conventional instruments, gauges and annunciators. It reduces drastically pilot’s workload and simplifies maintenance tasks.

The G1000 features two 10-inch wide Primary Flight Displays and one 15-inch Multifunction display (MFD), the largest currently fitted in a light business aircraft. The MFD screen integrates navigation, weather, traffic and terrain information as well as engine monitoring, aircraft status, and airport charts and check-lists.

Traditional gyros instruments are also replaced by two RVSM compliant Air Data Computers and two Air Horizontal Reference System (AHRS), together with a magnetic sensor. The system is completed by the GMC 710 autopilot, the industries first entirely digital autopilot.

The existing environmental and pressurization system of the TBM has been replaced by the Global Air System (GAS) produced by Liebherr Aerospace. It provides digital regulation of the pressurization and cabin temperature providing two independent temperate zones.

An engine driven compressor provides efficient cooling at engine start, with a 50% performance improvement over previous systems. Maintenance is eased by the use of airline industry standard components and by a built-in diagnostic system.

The cabin of the TBM Model 2008 has been redesigned by the Catherineau company and provides a new look for the TBM while retaining its distinctly “European Flavor”. New cushions and backrest shapes have been designed after intensive testing after extensive user trials.

The four main cabin side panels have been designed for quick removal and replacement to reduce maintenance costs. The new interior includes new storage compartments and large arm-rests. The passenger table folds entirely into the structure of the aircraft allowing a 2-inch increase of “elbow room”. Cockpit access is easier because of seat new shape and due to a 1-inch head room increase.

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