EADS-Socata Develops New Markets for TBM

Companies in the Geneva area have been invited to meet EADS-Socata executives here to discuss "transportation solutions" in which, not surprisingly, the single-engined TBM-700 turboprop figures prominently.

The move is the latest in a push by Socata to interest companies in business aviation. Earlier this year it staged a demonstration tour for companies that have nothing to do with aviation, showing how the two days it can take to fly from Paris to parts of Germany and back (thanks to cutbacks in direct airline service) can be turned into a matter of hours by TBM.

"Companies have no idea of their real travel expenses, especially when wasted time is taken into account," said a Socata spokesman. "Often the use of a TBM can provide a solution that is very competitive in price."

Use of are the operative words. Socata realizes many companies don't want to own an aircraft, so it is exploring different ways to make aircraft available.

Fractional ownership is top of the list, and Socata reports some financial companies are looking at the concept as an investment due to the TBM's value retention, while some others, such as Air Touring in the UK, are studying the potential for setting up their own fractional programs.

Other solutions could include shared ownership, where two companies in the same area could buy an aircraft together and coordinate its use.

Another innovative idea involves promoting the TBM as a tool for economic development, whereby a city or regional economic development organization could operate the aircraft for local companies in the area. "We must push the officials, and push the companies to ask the officials to do this," the spokesman said.

Sales of the $2.5 million TBM (orders to date stand at 215) are also hampered by Europe's prolonged insistence on two engines for commercial IFR flights, although the continent is expected eventually to follow the U.S. and Australia and lift that restriction.

EADS-Socata is at EBACE at Booth 7896 and in the static display.