EADS Socata is offering an upgraded variant of its TBM700 single-engined turboprop, but says it has no plans to develop new aircraft types despite increasing competition from a flurry of companies seeking to carve a slice of the lucrative light turbine aircraft market.
For an extra $115,000, the TBM 700C2, introduced at AirVenture, offers a 370kg (815lb) increase in maximum take-off weight to 3,360kg, additional luggage space behind the pressurised cabin and a new Honeywell air conditioning system.
Socata expects to certificate the new version in the third quarter and begin deliveries by year-end.
Chief executive Philippe DeBrun says the TBM and smaller TB piston-aircraft series, introduced in 1991, are still "quite new" and there are no plans to build new types. The company is keeping pace with aircraft production, which is growing at around 17% a year, as well as subcontracting work from Airbus and Embraer, he adds.
Meanwhile, fewer than five months after it acquired the bankrupt Mooney piston single line, Mooney Aerospace has begun aggressively to seek expansion into the turbine market. The move is part of the company's plan to offer a complete line of four- and six-seat turbine and piston-powered aircraft, says company chief executive Roy Norris.
Eclipse Aviation and Ibis Aerospace are also vying for a share of the turbine market with the Eclipse 500 personal jet and Ae270 single-engined turboprop, respectively. The first flight of the 500 will "certainly take place within a month", chief executive Vern Raburn says, while the Ae270 is on schedule to receive UK Civil Aviation Authority and US Federal Aviation Administration certification next year.
Ibis recently completed a design review of the seven-seat Ae270, which confirms the aircraft can meet performance targets set out during its development programme. These include a 270kt (500km/h) maximum cruise speed; 3,800kg maximum take-off weight and a 66kt stall speed.
Cessna is expected to announce plans to develop a new light jet at next month's National Business Aviation Association convention. The aircraft will fit below its entry level CJ1. Cessna already offers the 206 Caravan single-engined turboprop.
Source: Flight International
