Daher-Socata 850 Elite at AOPA Aviation Summit 2012 DAHER-SOCATA’s Model Year 2012 TBM 850 Elite very fast turboprop aircraft will participate during this month’s Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Aviation Summit, being held October 11-13 in Palm Springs, California. As general aviation’s leading trade show, this event will provide attendees an opportunity to learn more about the TBM 850, which offers a unique capability in tailoring the passenger cabin to meet operators’ needs. Many AOPA members have heard about our latest TBM 850 version, and we are looking forward to showing them the features of this aircraft and responding to their questions,” said Nicolas Chabbert, President of SOCATA North America and Senior Vice President of the DAHER-SOCATA Airplane Division. In further enhancing the TBM 850’s flexibility, DAHER-SOCATA has designed its middle seats to be oriented in a forward-facing position, while the rear seats are removable. In approximately 30 minutes, the TBM 850 Elite can be reconfigured in a four-seat cabin, increasing the luggage volume capacity by three and doubling the maximum luggage weight. The TBM 850 Elite’s primary technical changes are the new intermediate seats, whose base is narrower; along with a forward shift in positioning of the passenger oxygen system, which enables passengers to be assisted in both the cabin’s six- and four-seat configurations. The Aviation Summit is an annual activity of the AOPA, which represents the American general aviation community on behalf of more than 415,000 dues-paying pilots and aircraft owners. A growing audience is expected this year, with participation of celebrities such as actor and pilot Harrison Ford – who will be a keynote speaker. The TBM 850 is the world’s fastest certified 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 superior range and payload capacity. Since its 2005 launch, the TBM 850 has become an international success – with more than 282 aircraft delivered as of October 1, 2012. The combined TBM 700 and TBM 850 fleet now stands over 600 units worldwide and has exceeded 990,000 flight hours. For more information: SOCATA North America, Inc. North Perry Airport, 7501 South Airport Rd. Pembroke Pines, FL 33023 / USA www.tbm850.com ***
