Socata's GTs Head for Asia Pacific

French general aviation manufacturer Socata rolled out the first of its remodeled GT (Generation Two) series light aircraft in Tarbes, France, earlier this month. The TB 20 GT gained French certification in January. FAA approval is imminent.

The five-model GT series replaces Socata's TB Caribbean range, and features increased cabin headroom, composite cabin roof, flush windows, upturned wingtips, a curved fin fairing and optional Hartzell three-blade prop. The GTs, first announced as the NG (Nouvelle Generation) models at the 1999 Paris Air Show, are aerodynamically identical to the forthcoming MS (Morane Saulnier) models that will be powered by SMA MR-series diesel engines, of which certification of the first, 235-hp, MR200 version is expected before year's end.

Announced at the roll-out was a 79-aircraft order from Socata's newly appointed U.S. West Coast distributor, New Avex Inc. of Camarillo, Calif., for delivery over the next three years. Fourteen will be delivered in 2000 -- a mix of TB 20 Trinidad GTs and TBM 700 turboprop singles. Other TB GT orders announced at the launch included 16 for the Portuguese AAE flight training academy at Evora, and six for new Southeastern US distributor Jerry Supple Aircraft. The company expects to disclose orders for a further 40 aircraft before the end of March.

Socata will deliver a TB 21 GT to Singapore this month, and anticipates an order this year from the Singapore Youth Club for a batch of between five and ten GT models. The new Socata area sales representative in Singapore is Celestial Aeronautical and Engineering Services, whose approved Asia Pacific Service Center, operated by Celsius Hawker Pacific, will soon open a new facility here.

Asia Pacific has been fruitful territory for Socata, with 209 TBs and TBM 700s delivered in the area, mostly to commercial flight training schools. These include more than 70 to the People's Republic of China and a similar number to Australia. Others have gone to India, Indonesia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Socata is expanding its Tarbes plant, and plans by year end to ramp up monthly production of the TB GT from 10 to 15 and the TBM 700 from three to four.