DAHER-SOCATA Delivers 40 TBM 850s In 2013

The 2013 deliveries bring the total TBM-series aircraft received by customers to 662 units, of which 338 are the TBM 850 version -- the latest member of DAHER-SOCATA's very fast turboprop aircraft product line. Stéphane Mayer, President and CEO of DAHER-SOCATA -- the aerospace and defense activity of the DAHER Group -- noted the TBM 850's continued importance for the company's overall operations.

"Aircraft manufacturing activity, with its successful TBM family, is a highly strategic business for DAHER-SOCATA and for DAHER," he explained. "It demonstrates our capacity to handle the full range of responsibilities of a complex aircraft program. This is unique in the market, and highly appreciated by our customers in the field of aerostructures and services." Mayer said he recognizes -- and shares -- the passion and dedication of the international TBM owners and operators community, as demonstrated by the strong growth in attendance at last year's TBM Owners and Pilots Association (TBMOPA) convention.

Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice-President of the DAHER-SOCATA Airplane Business Unit, noted the TBM's continuous sales success demonstrates the very fast turboprop's efficiency and performance in meeting customers' demands, today and in the future. "The increased flexibility offered by the TBM 850 Elite version, introduced in 2012, along with the development of our international network and a constant commitment of DAHER-SOCATA and its partners to customer satisfaction also were strong contributors to the 2013 success."

Chabbert added that last year's European regulatory change allows commercial operators to fly passengers in instrument meteorological conditions with single-engine aircraft, opening new perspectives for the TBM family and acknowledging the safety of turboprops.

While the majority of TBM 850s purchased in 2013 were sold on the U.S. market (72 percent), strong levels of activity also were logged in other regions. Europe accounted for 10 percent of the deliveries, with France taking the lead in this region for the first time since the TBM 700's introduction.

Latin America represented 7.5 percent of TBM 850 deliveries, with these aircraft handed over in Brazil, Chile and Mexico. In addition to a TBM 850 provided for Australia, the aircraft's global scope expanded in 2013 as Saudi Arabia became the first Middle East country to welcome a TBM.

About the TBM 850 -- www.tbm850.com
DAHER-SOCATA's TBM 850 is the world's fastest single turboprop aircraft, with a maximum cruising speed of 320 KTAS at Flight Level 260 (in ISA conditions). It combines cruising speed and trip times of a light jet with theeconomic direct operating costs, range and moderate environmental signature of a turboprop engine. The maximum range and useful load -- which are enhanced on the current version -- as well as the ability to land at small airports are some of its customers' favorite features. TBM 850 Elite offer to owners the unique capability of tailoring the cabin to host 4 or 6 persons on board. Since its launch in 2005, the TBM 850 became and international success with 338 units delivered as of December 31, 2013. At this date, the overall TBM 700/TBM 850 fleet of 662 aircraft had exceeded more than 1.1 million flight hours.

About DAHER-SOCATA -- www.daher.com
DAHER-SOCATA is the aerospace & defense division of the DAHER Group. DAHER is a tier-1 equipment supplier to the high-technology industries. An independent intermediate-sized company, DAHER deploys its integrated equipment and services supplier model across the aerospace & defense, nuclear & energy and capital goods industries, and its growth is centered on complementary sets of expertise (Industrial Design and Manufacturing, Integrated Industrial SupportTM) combined into a comprehensive global offering. With a robust engineering-based approach, DAHER is able to deliver innovative and differentiating solutions to its industrial customers. Created in 1863, DAHER is an international group, present in 12 countries across the world. DAHER generates a turnover of more than 925 million euros, with an order book corresponding to approximately three years of turnover.