Russian certification pending for Daher-Socata TBM 850

The JetExpo 2011 static display features a Daher-Socata TBM 850 six-passenger, single-engine turboprop, distinguished for its speed, low operating costs, and easy maintenance. The aircraft is sporting a special livery to celebrate Socata’s 100 years of continuous aircraft production, at an average rate of one airframe every two days. Throughout the anniversary year Socata is running a special offer on the TBM 850, including a five-year warranty maintenance program.

Victor Kuklyaev, general director of Daher-Socata’s Russian dealership Infinity Aviation, told Show Observer that the TBM 850 should obtain a Russian type certificate by year-end. The aircraft is currently certified in 27 countries. Kuklyaev says that after the certification is complete, owners will be able to put their TBM 850s on the Russian register, thus saving considerably on air navigation fees. The fee currently stands at 170 rubles (about $6) per 100 km for Russian-registered aircraft, and $50 for aircraft registered abroad. Given that the TBM 850 aircraft covers 500 km in one flight hour and burns about 4,000 rubles’ worth of fuel in the process, the savings appear to be significant. Another benefit of Russian registration is that it makes it possible for buyers to use services of domestic lessors. The manufacturer declines to comment on potential Russian customers at this stage, but Kuklyaev says Infinity Aviation has several contracts in varying stages of completion, and that the first TBM 850 could be delivered to a Russian customer shortly after certification. The aircraft’s list price is $3.13 million.

Alexei Sinitsky