KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON
Weight increase for Socata's TBM700C2 increases range to nearly 2,000km
EADS Socata has clinched US certification for its high-speed TBM 700C2 as rival European single-engine turboprop manufacturers reach various stages in their aircraft development programmes.
The six-seat C2 offers an increase in maximum take-off weight from 2,985kg (6,580lb) to 3,355kg, says the French manufacturer, designed to deliver a maximum range of 1,985km (1,075nm) at a cruise speed of 255kt (470km/h).
The $2.65 million aircraft also has strengthened airframe components, wheels and tyres and additional new features such as a redesigned luggage compartment, a new interior with seats dynamically tested to more than 20g, a Honeywell environmental control and air-conditioning system with higher cooling capacity and automatic temperature control. An additional luggage compartment is behind the pressurised cabin.
The C2 variant will only be available in the countries accepting Amendment 44 of US FAR 23, says Socata. This allows at maximum take-off weight an increase in the aircraft's stall speed from 61kt to 65kt, if the seats are reinforced to withstand 26g for pilots and 21g for passengers. "Customers from other countries will be offered the new C1," says Socata, which has most of the C2's improvements without its increase in maximum take-off weight and performance. Both replace the 700B in production.
Grob, meanwhile, has begun flight testing its four-seat G140TP turboprop and is set to receive European certification by the end of the year, leading to US certification two months later.
"We have opened the full flight envelope and already exceeded our 220kt maximum cruise target," says the German company. Grob says the Rolls-Royce 250B17F-powered aerobatic aircraft will be priced at under c1.3 million ($1.43 million). The G140TP is aimed at the training, utility and passenger market and up to 20 aircraft a year will be produced.
Meanwhile, the UK's Farnborough Aircraft hopes to clinch the first launch customers for its F1 single-engined air taxi by year-end. The company has begun presenting it to "serious" investors in Europe and North America. It is hoping to secure £80 million ($127 million) in private investment to fund the remainder of the programme, which is on hold.
Source: Flight International
