EADS N.V. - 2003 TBM Gathering new Record

After experiencing the sunny Mexican beaches of Los Cabos in 2002, TBM 700 owners and operators headed north this year to Montréal, Canada for the annual gathering held from September 3rd through the 7th. Once again owners and operators from the US and Europe broke the previous year’s attendance record and parked 46 TBM 700 aircraft on the ramp at the St. Hubert Airport. One third of the TBM 700 fleet currently operated in North America was in attendance turning this into an annual family gathering.

This year’s gathering was co-hosted by TBM’s engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada, whose headquarters and facilities are located on the St. Hubert Airport in Montréal.

They offered a PT6A familiarization course for those owners and operators who wanted to get re-acquainted with their engine. Several technical sessions were held to present the latest developments and improvements to the high-speed turboprop.

Presentations were also given by equipment suppliers, Honeywell Bendix/King and Shadin, as well as the refinishing specialist, Oxford Aviation.

Other topics featured various services aspects, such as ferry flight procedures by Pilot, Margrit Waltz, pilot training by SimCom, and maintenance aspects by Hartzell Propeller. Honor speakers at this year’s gathering was French Army Aviation crew who crossed the Atlantic from the Army Aviation Base in Rennes – St Jacques, France.

« It has been a full week of gorgeous weather in Montréal. Pratt & Whitney Canada has extended a warm welcome complete with educational sessions and plant tours. We were glad to hear news of great improvements coming soon such as lower annual maintenance requirements and other changes to help reduce direct operating costs. The conference setting at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel was excellent. We've had fantastic local restaurants, a private choir rendition at Notre Dame and views and dinner from atop Place Ville Marie. Combined with a solid agenda and a lot of social opportunities with owners, I think this is one of the best conferences ever.» commented Paul Miller, TBM 700 Canadian operator from Calgary, who has participated in the last four gatherings.

Next year’s destination has not yet been determined, but it is certain that there will be more owners in attendance flying the ultimate personal and business aircraft, the TBM 700.

EADS Socata is a subsidiary of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defence company in the world with revenues of € 29.9 billion in 2002 and a workforce of more than 100,000 in 70 countries. EADS Group includes leading brands such as the aircraft manufacturer Airbus and the largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter.

2003 TBM Gathering new Record

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