TARBES, France – DAHER-SOCATA delivered 51 new TBM 900s in 2014, representing a 27% increase from 2013.
With an order intake for 64 aircraft in 2014, it was the best year ever in terms of TBM sales volume, and the second best year for the company’s aircraft program since 1990, according to company officials.
France factory in March last year for delivery to customers
The used aircraft market has been also active, company officials noted. In total, when adding used aircraft to the new business for TBM 900s, DAHER-SOCATA handled some 150 aircraft transactions during the year.
This increased activity followed DAHER-SOCATA’s introduction of the TBM 900 model in March 2014 – the latest addition to the company’s very fast turboprop aircraft family, incorporating enhancements that include aerodynamic optimization, a five-blade composite propeller and redesigned spinner, complete nose-to-firewall redesign for improved engine airflow circulation, and a revamped electrical system, company officials report.
The majority of TBM 900s purchased in 2014 were for customers in the U.S. and Canadian markets (representing 78%), while new business also came from other key aviation regions of the world. South America accounted for 10%, mostly in Brazil; Europe was next, with 8% of the sales; and Asia-Pacific represented the remaining 4%.
The TBM 900 deliveries in 2014 bring total TBM-series aircraft received by customers to 713, with this global fleet accumulating more than 1.2 million flight hours as of Jan. 15.