EADS N.V. - Socata Aircraft, Inc. Plans for Expansion 2003

Socata Aircraft, Inc., headquartered at North Perry Airport (HWO) in Southern Florida, announces the opening of two new U.S. facilities dedicated to the sale and support of its TBM 700 and TB GT line of aircraft.

David Monacell, currently Director of Sales for Socata Aircraft, Inc. in the Southeast will be relocating to a new direct sales office in the Pacific Northwest. David will be strategically positioned in the Portland area at the Portland-Troutdale Airport to service the Northcentral, and Northwestern US, Western Canada, and Alaska.

Socata Aircraft, Inc., in conjunction with the authorized service already established by Troutdale Aircraft Services intends to grow sales, service, and support in the Northwest region through local representation. Now with three facilities in the factory direct territory, Socata Aircraft, Inc. is able to establish a better presence throughout the US, while expanding its factory direct sales.

David had his first exposure to the Northwest and Socata Aircraft, Inc. while he attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks that operated the TB 9 Tampico. He has 10 years of flight experience, and sold 13 aircraft in his first year joining Socata Aircraft, Inc. last year. David has past experience and success in starting aviation ventures and we are excited about having him expand Socata Aircraft, Inc.’s presence in this territory.

His office will be located at Troutdale Airport (TTD) a few miles away from Portland, Oregon. Socata Aircraft, Inc. has appointed Troutdale Aircraft Services as one of its TB and TBM Authorized Service Center.

Troutdale aircraft is located on the north side of the Portland / Troutdale Airport minutes away from (PDX) Our new 18,000 sq foot facility is located next to the control tower. We offer a wide range of aircraft services from oxygen service to major structural repairs and alterations. We expect to have our new avionics shop up and staffed in the coming month. We also offer complete parts support and distribution for turbine and piston powered aircraft.

Michael Sarsfield will be our new Director of Sales, opening a factory direct sales office at the Peachtree DeKalb Airport (PDK) in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael is a native Georgian and has been involved in various aspects of general and corporate aviation for twenty years. For the past 15 years he has worked as a professional corporate pilot flying corporate jets and managing two flight departments.

Michael’s relationship with Socata began in 1995 when he was asked to manage a TBM 700 for a new TBM owner. Michael developed a sincere appreciation for the quality and efficiency of the TBM and has since been very active in providing pilot services for several TBM operators in the Southeast. Michael has over 1,000 flight hours in the TBM 700.

Michael will concentrate his sales efforts towards the direct sale of Socata Aircraft’s popular TB and TBM 700 aircraft with special emphasis in Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee. His sales office will be located at Mercury Aviation-West Ramp at the Peachtree DeKalb Airport in Atlanta.

With the opening of the Socata Aircraft Authorized Service Center at Peachtree DeKalb Airport (PDK) by Atlanta Turbine Management, Inc., Michael is very excited and optimistic that he will be able to provide a comprehensive approach to the sales and service of the TB and TBM 700 series aircraft.

Atlanta Turbine Management, Inc. is approved by Pratt & Whitney for warranty service. The owner and president, Joseph Lescota, has 17 years of experience as an A&P and holds IA certificates. “Our technicians are geared toward thinking outside the box, enabling us to overcome most technical challenges,” says Joseph Lescota of his skilled technicians who routinely service and maintain 100 aircraft.

Mike Shealy will remain in the South Florida office of Socata Aircraft, Inc. (HWO) North Perry Airport, as the Director of Sales, and will continue to sell TB and TBM 700 series aircraft in Florida, and other states throughout the Southeast US.

Mike started his career with Socata Aircraft, Inc. in September of 1996, in the Customer Support Department when the company relocated from Grand Prairie, Texas to South Florida. Later in June of 1998, he moved to the Sales and Marketing Department in charge of TB and TBM sales. His previous experience in the Customer Support Department helped build a solid understanding for the quality of construction that is associated with the EADS Socata line of products, and has been instrumental when working with future EADS Socata owners.

In February of 2001 Mike was promoted to Director of Sales where he has had the opportunity to work closely with the growing distribution network, and direct sales organization. The dynamic mix of factory direct and distribution sales that Socata Aircraft, Inc. has adopted, has not only been very successful, but also been a great experience.

Andrew Claverie, Vice President of Customer Support for North America has been with Socata Aircraft since October 1996. Andrew brings twenty years of aviation experience, which include helicopter operations, turbine engine overhaul on the Pratt & Whitney PT6A and Twin Pac models together with his knowledge of the Socata product line. Andrew leads a team of highly trained and knowledgeable aviation professionals providing maintenance and technical support to the North American fleet. "We take on challenges and overcome technical obstacles as we support and improve the product line. The TB GT and the TBM700 C2 is clear proof that we respond to the needs of our customers." Andrew spent 18 months at the factory in Tarbes, which gave him a better understanding of the production side of the operations.

Socata Aircraft, Inc. Plans for Expansion 2003

Stock Quotes