Daher-Socata Continues 100 Years of Aircraft Production at EAA AirVenture Show

Daher-Socata Continues 100 Years of Aircraft Production at EAA AirVenture Show: "

French aircraft manufacturer Daher-Socata will use this week’s EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wis., to highlight its 100 years of continuous aircraft production. Daher-Socata’s predecessor company, Aeroplanes Morane-Saulnier, built its first aircraft – the Morane-Saulnier Type A – in May 1911.

To celebrate the 100-year milestone, Daher-Socata created a special anniversary livery for the TBM 850, which made its debut at the Sun N’ Fun show March 29-April 3. The “waves of time” livery was designed by Didier Wolff of Happy Design Studios.

“This year’s TBM 850 underscores our company’s aviation heritage, as well as our focus on the future,” stated Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice President of Daher-Socata Airplane Division. “The choice Happy Design Studio – a young, creative and passionate team of designers – reinforces the TBM 850’s role as a highly efficient, new-generation aircraft that brings together the advantages of speed, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.”

Each TBM 850 Model Year 2011 has a commemorative metal plaque fixed at the bottom of the door, embossed TBM 850 on top of the leather cushion seat, a new parking lot to take advantage of the reconfigured front luggage compartment and teflon flap protection. “So far five TBM 850 have been ordered with the special paint scheme, which is rather good for a special edition, as most customers in general prefer to have an aircraft customized with their own colors,” says spokesman Phillipe de Seggovia.

Daher-Socata will have three aircraft on display: the anniversary liveried TBM 850; a TBM 700 with the Garmin G1000 retrofit; and a full-scale replica of the Morane-Saulnier type L 1-2 seat airplane.

The company is also hosting several events at Oshkosh, including:

• A pylon racing demonstration between a TBM 850 and a North American P-51 Mustang World War 2 fighter aircraft, scheduled for Wednesday, July 27, and to be repeated on Friday;
• A banquet dinner with Socata aircraft customers.. and some owners of vintage Morane-Saulnier types (MS 230, MS 500 'Stork', MS 760 'ParisJet', Rallye Series); and
• The Daher-Socata -sponsored evening airshow and fireworks on Saturday, July 30.

"