EADS Socata’s TBM 850 sales exceeds the 200-order milestone

• 49 firm orders have been booked for aircraft allocated in 2009
• Total TBM 850 customer deliveries reach 112 aircraft
• TBM 850 backlog value exceeds $280 million

Sales for the EADS Socata TBM 850 have surpassed the 200 mark as the very fast turboprop aircraft has another record year for orders.

At a press conference today during the 2008 AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, EADS Socata Chairman and CEO Jean-Michel Léonard, Chairman and CEO revealed that EADS Socata had registered a total of 201 TBM 850 bookings as of July 1. The backlog now stands at 92 aircraft, of which 49 are scheduled for deliveries in 2009 – representing three-quarters of next year’s scheduled production.

“It is very appropriate that as we celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the TBM 700’s first flight, we’ve reached this highly symbolic milestone for its TBM 850 successor,” Léonard said. “This is a confirmation that our TBM 850 was the right product at the right time, which is not always easy in the aviation industry.”

Nicolas Chabbert, EADS Socata’s Vice President, Sales & Marketing, disclosed that 49 TBM 850 aircraft were sold from its 2009 order book since the allocation was opened in early June of this year.

“The TBM program is celebrating another record year in 2008,” Chabbert said. “Several factors explain our growing success. Some small and medium bizjet owners are now considering the TBM as a viable alternative to a very light jet – or even larger jet-powered aircraft – which are more expensive to operate. The increase in fuel prices also is influencing decisions in favor of the TBM 850.”

These new orders have brought TBM 850 sales beyond the 200 level in the 32 months since the aircraft’s launch in mid-December 2005. The majority has been purchased by U.S. customers, with a 20% share for Europe, 10% for South America, Asia and the Pacific – and with new sales in Brazil and Australia.

From total order book to date, 42 TBM 850s were delivered in 2006, 46 in 2007, and 24 as per July,15th, 2008. With the current backlog, EADS Socata has scheduled deliveries of 40 aircraft during the second half of 2008.

The TBM 850 is the world’s fastest single engine turboprop, with a maximum cruising speed of 320 KTAS at 26,000 ft. (in ISA conditions). A 850-shp version of EADS Socata’s proven six-seat TBM 700 turboprop business aircraft, the TBM 850 combines the cruising speed and travel times typical of light jets with economical direct operating costs, while offering the range and excellent payload capacity of turboprop aircraft.

About EADS Socata
EADS Socata is one of the world’s leading general aviation manufacturers, with more than 17,000 aircraft built since its creation as Morane-Saulnier in 1911. Current products include the TBM family of high-speed turboprops, TB GT piston aircraft, aerostructures for Airbus civil airliners, the A400M military transporter, Dassault Falcon jets, Eurocopter helicopters and Embraer regional jets.

EADS Socata is expanding its customer service activities to support the growing fleet of TBM aircraft and to offer its light aviation expertise for aircraft below the 5.7 metric ton takeoff weight category. Headquartered in Tarbes, France, with North American operations in Pembroke Pines, Florida, EADS Socata is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS – a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services.

About EADS
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2006, EADS generated revenues of € 39.4 billion and employed a workforce of about 116,000. The Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter, and EADS Astrium, the European leader in space programmes from Ariane to Galileo. Its Defence & Security Division is a provider of comprehensive systems solutions and makes EADS the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium as well as a stakeholder in the missile systems provider MBDA. EADS also develops the A400M through its Military Transport Aircraft Division.