14 December 2005
EADS Socata has unveiled the newest member of its TBM family – the six-seat TBM 850 pressurized single-engined turboprop. The TBM 850 builds on the success of the TBM 700 business aircraft and offers owners and pilots a maximum cruise speed of 320kt at FL260 in ISA conditions.
The powerplant is Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6A-66D delivering 850 shp. This will give TBM 850 operators the advantage of the cruising speeds typical of light jets, with the economical direct operating costs of a single-engined turboprop.
‘The TBM 850 is the fruit of our close relationship with TBM customers. We listened to their requests to make the fastest aircraft in its class even faster, and the result is the TBM 850 – which we believe is the ultimate personal aircraft,’ said EADS Socata Chairman and CEO Stéphane Mayer.
‘We believe the TBM 850 will help us to strengthen our market position in business and private aviation, and this is demonstrated by the fact that more than two-thirds of next year’s production has been sold before the first TBM 850 aircraft leaves the production line.’
All-important climb performance also is substantially improved over typical turboprops. The TBM 850’s time-to-climb is a mere 15 minutes to an altitude of FL260 (almost 25% faster than the TBM 700 C2), and 20 minutes to its service ceiling of FL310 at gross weight.
The TBM 850 is already certified by EASA (the European airworthiness authority), with FAA certification expected soon. Deliveries will begin early in 2006. Base price of the TBM 850 is set at $2,576,930 in 2006. A version with typical customer options and equipped for RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum) operation will list at $2,799,850.
http://www.socata.eads.net/
