A significant milestone for world’s first single-turboprop aircraft and still the fastest in its category
EADS Socata held a Roll-Out ceremony at its factory today for the TBM 700 serial number 300; a significant milestone for the first civilian single pressurized turboprop aircraft to be produced in large numbers. In a few days this special TBM 700 will be heading to the United States, where it will be displayed at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin from July 27th to August 2nd. EAA Airventure is one of world's greatest general aviation events, with an average attendance of 750,000 visitors.
Launched in 1987 in partnership with Texas-based Mooney Aircraft Company (The M of TBM) ; the high-speed turboprop TBM 700 was aimed at being the replacement of costly twin-piston aircraft which were then the backbone of entry-level business aviation. To ensure success, Socata was backed by the Aerospatiale design office in Toulouse, France, which provided aerodynamics developped for the ATR 72 commuter aircraft and used technologies that were brand new in general aviation, such as computer-assisted design. This resulted in an aircraft capable of carrying six persons at 300 KTAS for 1,315 Nm (2 435 km) ; making it the fastest civilian pressurized single propeller aircraft in production. At the same time the TBM 700 offered its customers a range of 1,550 Nm at best economy speed.
The TBM 700, with serial number 300, is a TBM 700C2, the latest version available and equipped with optional pilot door. This version was introduced last year and is a direct result of EADS Socata’s philosophy of continued product development to meet customer needs.
Amongst other enhancements, the TBM 700C2 has reinforced central spar and wing attachments to permit a significant increase in the aircraft’s useful load.
The second version of the TBM 700 is the C1, aimed at the European market with 6,613 lbs. (3 tons) maximum takeoff weight. The C2, certified by US, Australian and Canadian aviation authorities, has a maximum takeoff weight of 7,428 lbs. (3.5 tons).
EADS Socata is one of the first aircraft manufacturers to offer as standard equipment, a mode S transponder meeting Eurocontrol requirements. Mode S transponders with antenna diversity will become mandatory in European airspace for all aircraft with a cruising speed above 250 knots after March 31st, 2005 and will allow better identification of aircraft by air traffic control as well as enable future flight data exchange with ATC ground stations.
EADS Socata has completed a flight test program of a Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) compliant equipment solution for the TBM 700. Based on the new Honeywell AM 250 digital altimeter with data acquisition, this option will enable the TBM to fly above 29,000 ft in all RVSM airspace after the 1st quarter of 2004. RVSM equipment, already mandatory in Europe, will be required in North America after January 20th, 2005.
EADS Socata, now headquartered at Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees International Airport, the site of the EADS Socata manufacturing facility, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS, and is the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world.
TBM 700 program enabled EADS Socata to develop an expertise in key new technologies such as Computer-aided design, composite materials, hybrid metal/composites, metal bonding and large metal panel drawing.
Thanks to this expertise, EADS Socata meets the requirements of next-generation aircraft designs and was selected by major aerospace programs as an industrial risk-sharing partner, for global subcontracting, starting with design works and manufacturing processes, and ending with customer support.
The main Aerostructures programs at Socata are :
