EADS Socata is stepping up pressure on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to approve the high-gross-weight version of its TBM 700 single-engine turboprop, called the C2.
A one-month comment period to examine the arguments for European recognition of US Federal Aviation Administration of Amendment 44 to FAR Part 23 certification ended last month. Amendment 44 allows manufacturers to bypass the 61kt (112km/h) stall speed rule if the aircraft has crashworthy seats reinforced to withstand 26g for pilots and 21g for passengers, says Socata.
The $2.6 million C2 has been approved in the USA, Canada and Australia at a maximum take-off weight of 3,360kg (7,400lb) and a slightly higher stall speed. The $2.5 million C1, certificated in Europe, is structurally identical to its stablemate, but has a maximum take-off weight of 2,950kg.
Socata says approval of the C2 in Europe will help boost sales. The French manufacturer, which last month rolled out the 300th TBM700, has sold 10 C1s and 50 C2s and says most C1 customers are likely to buy the C2 upgrade kit if EASA approval is granted.
Meanwhile, Socata is continuing to evaluate new products to strengthen its position in the GA market. These include another turboprop, a diesel or a jet-powered aircraft, "ranging from a four-passenger, $1 million type to an eight-passenger $8 million aircraft".
Source: Flight International
