Business & GA

Daher-Socata has delivered the 500th TBM single-engined turboprop since the aircraft entered service nearly 20 years ago.

"This milestone underscores the continuing demand for this very-high-speed turboprop transport in today's economic and operating environment," the company says.

The six-seat TBM 850 was handed over at the airframer's Tarbes, south-west France base to Wilmington, Delaware-based Airborne, replacing its older TBM 700 in service.

© Daher-Socata

"When the TBM programme was launched more than 20 years ago, attaining the serial number 500 milestone was an ambition - now it's a reality," says Nicolas Chabbert, senior vice-president of Daher-Socata General Aviation, and president of Socata North America.

The TBM 850 entered service in 1996, replacing the -700 series in production. Deliveries of the latest version, equipped with the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit, began a year ago. Daher acquired a 70% stake in the French airframer and aerostructures manufacturer from EADS late last year.