Socata Aircraft Strengthens Marketing, Flight Operations and Support Functions Following the Continued Sales Success of the TBM 700 in the USA.
Bruno Mandon, as VP of Customer Support, Alan Griffin as Chief Pilot and Andrew Knott, as VP of Marketing, join Socata Aircraft’s senior management team
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 26 July 2005
Socata Aircraft, Inc., the US subsidiary of EADS Socata, announced today the appointment of three new members of its senior management team: Andrew Knott who joins them as VP of Marketing, Alan Griffin who joins them as Chief Pilot, and Bruno Mandon who joins them as VP of Customer Support. All three will be based at Socata Aircraft’s facilities in Pembroke Pines, FL.
“The hype around the introduction of the Very Light Jets (VLJs) over the next few years has actually caused greater customer awareness of the capabilities and value of the TBM 700” said Stephane Mayer, Chairman and CEO of EADS Socata. “As the piston twin fleet continues to age (and their operating costs continue to increase) plus more and more high-performance single pilots start to look for aircraft with greater capabilities and range, the significantly lower direct operating costs of the TBM 700 single engine turboprop compared with that of twin jets makes the TBM look very attractive to “step-up” buyers. The TBM 700 offers “near-jet” performance with direct operating costs equivalent to that of a pressurized piston twin, and has significantly better short field performance, range, insurability, ease of pilot transition and overall mission flexibility than the VLJs” he added. “We would expect to see continued year-over-year growth in TBM sales and as a result we are strengthening our organization to ensure that we can maintain and enhance the high level of customer support that our customers have become accustomed to.”
Andrew Knott V.P. of Marketing for Socata brings over 25 years of high technology sales and marketing experience to the position of VP Marketing at Socata. In addition he brings experience on over 40 aircraft types including the complete EADS Socata range from the Tampico piston trainer to the TBM 700. He will have worldwide responsibility for marketing and public relations and will be instrumental in the support and expansion of EADS Socata’s worldwide distributor network. He was a founder of the Socata TB Users Group, the user organization for Socata’s piston engined fleet as well as a key participant in the development of the AOPA Airworthiness Concern process (which provides the FAA with user feedback on upcoming airworthiness changes). “As an owner over the years, of aircraft from just about all of the major GA manufacturers (ranging from very light singles to the Socata TB20 high-performance touring aircraft to pressurized piston twins,) I think I can bring an owner perspective to Socata which will strengthen our focus around the needs of our customers” he commented.
Bruno Mandon, V.P. of Customer Support for Socata Aircraft started his career with Dassault Falcon Service in Paris in 1989 and joined Socata in 1991 when he was a major contributor to the launch of the TBM 700 program, and had extensive maintenance management experience in both the EASA and FAA environments including a period as V.P. of Customer Support for S.M.A (then an EADS subsidiary). Bruno is based at Socata Aircraft, Inc. in South Florida, with the goal of further strengthening Socata’s US based customer support organization.
Alan Griffin, Chief Pilot for Socata Aircraft has over 8000 hours and has both ATPL and A&P ratings. He has extensive TBM 700 flight and instruction experience gained from his previous positions at Quest Diagnostics and SimCom International.
“I’m extremely glad to welcome Bruno, Alan and Andrew to the US team”, said Stephane Bernard, President and CEO of Socata Aircraft. “They bring a wealth of experience in their respective fields to Socata and I’m sure they will contribute significantly to the success of Socata’s continued US expansion.”
EADS Socata is one of the world’s leading general aviation manufacturers with more than 6,000 aircraft flying in 65 countries, continuing a tradition initiated by Morane-Saulnier in 1911, which includes the MS 760 ParisJet, the world’s first business jet. EADS Socata manufactures the TBM700 high-speed turboprop and the TB GT range of piston-engined touring and training aircraft, as well as being an industrial partner of Airbus airliners (including the new Airbus A380), the A400M military transport, the Dassault Falcon 7X as well as Eurocopter helicopters and Embraer regional jets.
Based in France, with North American headquarters at Pembroke Pines, Florida, EADS Socata is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world.
 © EADS | Allan Griffin |
 © EADS | Andrew Knott |
 © EADS | Bruno Mandon |
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