A total of 95 TBM 700 and TBM 850 aircraft converge on Amelia Island for the TBM owners group’s annual gathering
275 attendees are present at the event
Amelia Island, Florida, November 19 2012 – The ninth convention of the user organization for DAHER-SOCATA’s TBM very fast turboprops – the TBM Owners and Pilots Association (TBMOPA) – surpassed all previous records with the presence of 95 TBM 700s and TBM 850s for its annual gathering, which was held this year at Amelia Island off the U.S. state of Florida.
These TBM aircraft landed at Fernandina Beach Airport, and some 275 total attendees participated in the October 24-27 meeting at the Amelia Island Ritz Carlton resort – located on the southernmost of the Sea Islands along the U.S. East Coast.
During its 2012 convention, the TBMOPA offered three days of dynamic academic sessions customized for TBM owners and operators, featuring presentations by industry leaders as well as TBM system vendors.
Seminars this year included presentations by DAHER-SOCATA and Pratt & Whitney, along with the participation of aviation journalist and keynote speaker Rod Machado; Dr. Paul Buza, who discussed high-altitude physiology; NTSB Member Dr. Mark Rosekind on fatigue and flying; and Dr. David Strahle on radar and thunderstorms. In addition to assorted technical seminars on a variety of interesting and important topics, TBM owner Ian Runge was a featured speaker, discussing the recent around-the-world trip in his TBM 700.
Additional safety awareness and operational knowledge was provided during the technical seminars. As with the association’s other annual conventions, participation in the technical sessions qualified members for savings on insurance premiums that are exclusive to the TBMOPA.
Pilot companions also had an active role at the event, taking a tour of nearby St. Mary’s Island and benefitting from in-flight "pinch hitter" training.
To say this year’s Annual TBMOPA Convention was a success is an understatement,” stated Larry Glazer, the TBMOPA’s incoming president. “All participants agreed that it was our best event ever, and we anticipate attracting an even wider audience in the coming years. I would particularly like to thank the Fernandina Beach Airport FBO team of McGill Aviation and DAHER-SOCATA for their support.
Stéphane Mayer, the President and CEO of DAHER-SOCATA, said the response to this year’s TBM Owners Convention is a good indicator that “enthusiasm for the very fast turboprop remains strong,” and he acknowledged the TBMOPA team’s excellent work in organizing its top-level events that attract increasing large audiences.
Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice President of the DAHER-SOCATA Airplane Division, said the 2012 TBMOPA convention also underscored the close partnership with DAHER-SOCATA as the aircraft manufacturer. He noted that DAHER-SOCATA’s presentations, especially about support issues, were welcomed by the attendees.
Beyond the large numbers of this event, the 2012 Convention demonstrated the passion our customers have for their aircraft – which is communicative,” Chabbert concluded. “We also saw a growing interest in the new TBM 850 version that was introduced this year: the TBM 850 Elite.
The next TBMOPA Owners Convention will take place September 25-28, 2013 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
About the TBM Owners and Pilots Association
The TBM Owners and Pilots Association (TBMOPA) was founded to provide owners of the ultimate personal aircraft with the ultimate ownership experience. TBMOPA focuses on safety and training as well as social events all designed to maximize the pleasure and utility of TBM ownership. For more information, visit www.tbmowners.org.
About DAHER
DAHER is a European integrated equipment and services supplier. An independent mediumsized 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 with 7,500 men and women in 14 countries over the world. DAHER has a 1.1 billion-dollar annual turnover. As of December 31, 2011, it held a 2.5 billion euro backlog representing three years of turnover.
DAHER-SOCATA – which is 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.
DAHER-SOCATA’s expertise in these fields and the organization of their synergies enable them to provide manufacturers with specific offers in each segment of the aerospace market: commercial and military aircraft, regional aircraft, helicopters and business aircraft.
For more information, visit www.daher.com
