A Highly Successful 2008 Convention in Michigan for the TBM Owners and Pilot Association Convention
Orlando, Florida, 05 October 2008
At NBAA Convention the TBM Owners and Pilot Association (TBMOPA) – the user’s organization for EADS Socata’s TBM 700 and TBM 850 very fast turboprops – and EADS Socata reported about the 2008 Gathering which was held in September in Traverse City, Michigan, the “cherry capital of the world.”
This year’s gathering set another attendance record, with more than 225 attendees taking part in the event, with the presence of over 75 aircraft.
The 2008 TBMOPA convention featured briefings on the new Garmin systems introduced this year on the TBM 850: the G1000, all-glass integrated flight deck system and its next addition, the synthetic vision system which is coming soon to the TBM cockpit.
During more than 20 sessions over three days, the packed audience learned more about the TBM’s weather radar systems, WAAS operations, NEXRAD in cockpit weather, powerplant management, as well as the TBM insurance market. In addition, the 5th annual TBM safety review provided a safety record overview and highlighted the lessons that could be learned from the aircraft’s operational experience.
A full range of activities were offered to both participants and their companions, such as “pinch hitter” training courses for non-flying TBMOPA companions and a wide range of social events around Traverse City. A golf competition, sight-seeing trips and the Chateau Chantel winery tour were included on the schedule, along with excellent meals, a gala dinner and a charity auction.
“We have brought a lot of fresh, new content to this year's convention to attract more members to the event, and we thank EADS Socata, their distributors and TBM sub-system vendors for their support,” explained John Hayes, TBMOPA President. “As in previous years, we brought in a number of first-class speakers such as Dick Rutan, (who discussed his non-stop flight around the world), Bruce Lansberg and Tom Horne from AOPA, and David Strahle, one of the originators of the Nextrad weather system. The TBMOPA Companions program was again hugely successful with over 20 companions landing their partners’ TBMs!” he added.
“The level of technology we are offering – especially in the TBM cockpit – has made the 2008 TBM one of the world’s most advanced light business aircraft ”, said Jean-Michel Léonard, EADS Socata’s Chairman and CEO. “However, we would not have achieved this without the support of our customers, and especially the members of TBMOPA –whose passion is an inspiration for us.”
The next annual TBM owners’ convention will be held in Tucson, AZ in October 2009.
About the TBM Owners and Pilots Association
The TBM Owners and Pilots Association (TBMOPA) was founded to provide owners of the ultimate personal aircraft with the ultimate ownership experience. TBMOPA focuses on safety and training as well as social events all designed to maximize the pleasure and utility of TBM ownership.
For more information, visit
Website |
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 its growing fleet of TBM and offer its light aviation expertise for aircraft below 5.7 metric tons through avionics modernization, maintenance, repair and overall package offers. Headquartered in Tarbes, France, with North American operations in Pembroke Pines, Florida, EADS Socata is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS group.
About EADS
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2007, EADS generated revenues of € 39.1 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 programs from Ariane to Galileo. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, develops the A400M through its Military Transport Aircraft Division, and holds a stake in the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems.
Media contact:
| Andrew Knott | Executive Director – TBMOPA |
Tel.: +1 214 295 5208 mailto: andrew@tbmowners.org |
| Philippe de Segovia | EADS Socata |
Tel.: +33 670 21 70 47 mailto: philippe.de-segovia@socata.eads.net |
