Lakeland, Florida, March 29, 2011 – DAHER-SOCATA is initiating its U.S. activities to celebrate the company’s 100 years of aviation excellence with this week’s SUN ’n FUN fly-in appearance of the Model Year 2011 TBM 850, which is configured in a unique centennial paint scheme.
The special edition Model Year 2011 TBM 850 very fast turboprop aircraft carries a distinctive “waves of time” livery, designed by Didier Wolff of Happy Design Studios.
This TBM 850, which is serial number 571, symbolically represents the 100 years of continuous aircraft production that traces its roots to DAHER-SOCATA’s predecessor company, Aeroplanes Morane-Saulnier – created in 1911. In addition to its custom red and white paint scheme, the centennial TBM 850 has been registered with the N1911Y tail number.
For its 100-year celebrations, DAHER-SOCATA is providing the TBM 850
with an Exclusive Maintenance Program for five years (including five free annual inspections) or 1,000 flight hours with free scheduled maintenance costs. In addition, warranties are extended to five years for avionics, five years for systems and seven years for the airframe.
SUN ’n FUN marks the opening of our yearly show calendar, and we’re using this annual fly-in to inaugurate the U.S. activities for our centennial celebration,” said Nicolas Chabbert, the Senior Vice President of DAHER-SOCATA Airplane Division. “We look forward to showing the centennial Model Year 2011 TBM 850 to the general aviation community during the sixday event at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport.
The TBM 850 is the world’s fastest single-engine turboprop, with a maximum cruise speed of 320 KTAS at 26,000 ft. (in ISA conditions). As an 850-shp. version of DAHER-SOCATA’s proven six-seat TBM 700 turboprop business aircraft, the TBM 850 combines cruise speeds and travel times typical of light jets with the economical direct operating costs of a turboprop, along with excellent range and payload capacity.
Since its 2005 launch, the TBM 850 has become an international success – with more 220 aircraft delivered as of January 1, 2011. The combined TBM 700 and TBM 850 fleet now stands at 545 units worldwide.
About DAHER-SOCATA
DAHER is a European integrated equipment and services supplier. The
company specializes in the aerospace, nuclear, defense and industry
sectors, concentrating on three core activities: manufacturing, services and transport, which it builds into a global offer.
Founded in 1863, DAHER is an independent, international group with
installations in 12 countries. DAHER has tripled in size over six years to
reach an annual turnover of 740 million Euros in 2009.
DAHER-SOCATA, DAHER group’s aeronautics division, boasts a global and original offering to serve airframe manufacturers and tier-1 equipment manufacturers, with established expertise in four complementary activities presenting a wealth of synergies: aircraft manufacturing, aerostructures, services and technology specialties.
In 2011, DAHER-SOCATA is celebrating the 100th anniversary of continuous aircraft production, marking a legacy that began in 1911 with its predecessor company – Aeroplanes Morane-Saulnier.
