Page 6 - Volume 16 Number 3

Socata-Daher’sTBM 8Rises Abovethe Trend for 2011Fast Turboprop Single Sells WellIn Depressed MarketAt a time when owners and small businesses are seeking efficiency, yet wanting to maintain their travel flexibility, Daher-Socata is enjoying sales success with its VFT (Very Fast Turboprop), the TBM 850. The TBM 850 delivers speed rivaling small jets, yet it operates at much lower cost with its single PT6A engine. Offering seating for six and a large cargo door, the TBM 850 is just the right size for many small-company missions.The Daher Group acquired the Socata company in 2008, following certification of the uprated TBM 850 in 2006. While celebrating its Centennial Year, Daher-Socata enjoyed sales of the TBM 850 at4 • TWIN & TURBINEa rate equal to the its fourth-best annual performance since 1990. Sales in 2011 numbered 38 aircraft, 84 percent of which went to the U.S. market. The 600th TBM turboprop was flown in October, which brings the total number of TBM 850s produced to 260. As of January 1, the TBM fleet had amassed 909,921 flight hours.DAHER-SOCATA’s TBM 850 is the world’s fastest single-turboprop aircraft, with a maximum cruising speed of 320 knots at Flight Level 260 (in ISA conditions). It combines small-jet cruising speed and trip times with the economical direct operating costs, range and moderate environmental signature of a single turboprop engine. The TBM 850’sMARCH 20125