The fifth Fly-In TB held at Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees airport marked the unveiling of the TBM 700C2, the latest version of the turboprop whose airframe has been strengthened and the maximum payload with full fuel increased to 900 pounds.

According to EADS, the maximum takeoff weight increase enables the new version to deliver bigger payload/range performance to the TBM operators.

“To reach this goal the C2 retains the aerodynamic and powerplant of the current ‘B’ version but has a strengthened wing structure as well as sturdier wheels and 10 ply tires,” said a spokesperson.

Around 500 attended this year’s Fly-In TB, with visitors flying in from Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.