EADS Socata is to focus sales activities on North and Latin America after suffering another defeat in its dream to get commercial operation of single-engined aircraft permitted in Europe.
The Bordeaux-based manufacturer appointed new aircraft sales agents in Brazil, the Dominican Republic and the Czech Republic at the show and celebrated certification for public transport for its TBM 700C2 high-speed turboprop in Australia. However, the manufacturer’s long-running campaign to change European rules banning single engined aircraft from operating commercial flights had a further setback as regulators kicked the proposal into the long grass.
Socata, along with Cessna, Diamond Aircraft, Pilatus and engine manufacturers and operators formed the Single Engine Turboprop Alliance (SETA) in 2003 to lobby European aviation authorities to harmonise rules. Some states permit daytime operations and some forbid hire-and-reward flights. SETA had lobbied for night flights and under instrument meteorological conditions across 35 countries. The alliance had expected approval in late July, but Socata has learned the issue is to be referred to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Socata says several countries including Germany, Italy and the UK used the confusion of authority to delay the rule change, which EASA is expected to approve once it takes over control of operational rules in 2007.
Meanwhile, Socata is redoubling sales efforts in the USA. The company has sold 26 aircraft so far this year, with only three in Europe, and expects to oversell its 35 aircraft production rate for 2006, says Michel Adam de Villiers, vice-president sales and marketing in North America. The Pembroke Pines, Florida-based subsidiary is offering free maintenance and assistance next year for all sales this year, he adds. Socata is expecting to close a three-aircraft deal with a Connecticut air taxi operator, its first in the market.
Source: Flight Daily News
