• 38 TBM 850s were provided to customers in America, Asia-Pacific and Europe, equal last year’s number
• The company’s very fast turboprop gains market share
Tarbes, France, January 10, 2012 – DAHER-SOCATA today announced that 38 TBM 850s were delivered in 2011, bringing to 260 the total number of its latest very fast turboprop aircraft received by customers since being introduced in 2006.
It was the fourth best year for DAHER-SOCATA’s TBM aircraft family since 1990, whose 600th aircraft rolled out of the factory last October.
As of January 1, 2012, the combined fleet’s flight time reached a total of 909,921 flight hours.
We attained our delivery goals in 2011 despite the very difficult economic environment worldwide, resulting in the TBM 850 gaining market share,” explained Nicolas Chabbert, senior vice-president of DAHER-SOCATA Airplane Division. “This achievement was due to the loyalty of our customers, our team spirit, and our TBM850’s continued value for a full range of operators.
The majority of TBM 850s purchased in 2011 were acquired by U.S.
customers (84 percent). Latin America was in second position with 10
percent, followed by Asia-Pacific and Europe which represented five percent of the 2011 sales – down from 13 percent in 2010.
Included in DAHER-SOCATA’s 2011 activity were the company’s initial
deliveries of new TBM 850s in Singapore, and the first multi-mission TBMMMA version provided to Argentina – demonstrating the aircraft’s expanding market penetration.
Chabbert said preparations are now underway for introduction of the TBM 850 Model Year 2012, which will offer a host of benefits – including an Exclusive Maintenance Program that lowers scheduled maintenance costs for five years or 1,000 hours.
DAHER-SOCATA’s TBM 850 is the 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 current version – and the ability to land at small airports are some of its customers’ favorite features.
About DAHER
DAHER is a European integrated equipment and services supplier. As an independent medium-sized company, DAHER develops its “industry & services” model in the aerospace, nuclear, defense and industry sectors – concentrating on three core activities: manufacturing, services and transport, which it builds into a global offer.
With a robust engineering-based approach, DAHER is able to deliver innovative and differentiating solutions to its industrial customers.
Founded in 1863, DAHER is international in scope – with 7,500 men and women located in 14 countries around the world. DAHER has tripled in size over the past six years, and now exceeds the one billion-dollar annual turnover volume. Its backlog represented the equivalent of three years in turnover as of December 31, 2010.
DAHER-SOCATA, the DAHER group’s aerospace activity, boasts a global and original offering which brings together its expertise as aircraft manufacturer, airframe supplier, industrial and logistics service provider. All are backed by advanced technological specialties.
This offer is supported by the company’s Tier-1 production capabilities, with established expertise in four complementary activities presenting a wealth of synergies: aircraft manufacturing, aerostructures, services and technology specialties. DAHER-SOCATA’s expertise in these fields, and the organization of its synergies, enables the company to provide customers with specific manufacturing and production offers across a wide segment of the aerospace market: commercial and military aircraft, regional aircraft, helicopters and business aircraft.
DAHER-SOCATA celebrated the 100th anniversary of continuous aircraft production in 2011, marking a legacy that began in 1911 with its predecessor company – Aeroplanes Morane-Saulnier.
For more information, visit www.daher.com
