Press Release

Issued by Daher Aerospace.

March 6, 2012

Daher-Socata is displaying its TBM 850 for the first time in the Middle East region with the aircraft's appearance at the new Abu Dhabi Air Expo general aviation exhibition, being held March 6-8 at Al Bateen Executive Airport.

The TBM 850 exhibited at the event belongs to a Hong Kong-based investment company, which operates it from Asia to Europe — regularly flying distances over 1,000 naut. mi. This perfectly illustrates the capability and reliability of Daher-Socata's very fast turboprop, and the cost-effective transportation service it offers for businessmen in the Middle East.

"We decided to participate at the inaugural aviation exhibition in Abu Dhabi because the Middle East region has several factors that can support the development of general aviation: a growing economy, a territory significantly larger than Europe with less transportation infrastructure, and a smaller general aviation fleet," said Nicolas Chabbert, Daher-Socata's Senior Vice President – Airplane Division. "The Abu Dhabi Air Expo will help us begin penetrating this market, as well as meet with potential partners in the area to establish a sales and support network in the region."

Daher-Socata's TBM 850 is the world's fastest single turboprop aircraft, with a maximum cruising speed of 320 KTAS at Flight Level 260 (in ISA conditions). It combines cruising speed and trip times of a light jet with the economic direct operating costs, range and moderate environmental signature of a turboprop engine. The maximum range and useful load – which are enhanced on the current version – and the ability to land at small airports are some of its customers' favorite features. TBM 850 Model Year 2012 is offered with a host of benefits – including an Exclusive Maintenance Program that lowers the scheduled maintenance costs for 5 years or 1,000 hours.