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6th TBM Owners and Pilot Association Convention Breaks a New Attendance Record

Hollywood, FL, October 26th 2009 – The TBM Owners and Pilot Association (TBMOPA) – the user’s organization ofr DAHER-SOCATA’s TBM 700 and TBM 850 very fast turboprops – and DAHER-SOCATA reported an increased attendance for the 6th TBMOPA Convention held from October 14 to the 18th at La Paloma, Tucson, Arizona

This year’s gathering set another attendance record, with more than 225 attendees taking part in the event, with the presence of over 75 aircraft.
The convention site was nestled on 250 acres in the high Sonoran Desert foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains with picturesque views amidst intriguing landscape and wildlife.
TBMOPA presented dynamic academic sessions customized for the owners of TBM aircraft and welcomed a record number of vendor displays.
Several presentations highlighted the convention with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association president, Craig Fuller, as the keynote speaker.
“This year's convention attracted more members to the event, and we thank Patrick Daher, Chairman and CEO of the DAHER Group, DAHER-SOCATA and its distributors and TBM vendors for their support,” explained John Hinshaw, TBMOPA President.

The 2009 TBMOPA convention captured attention with the announcement of a retrofit program that will allow installation of Garmin’s G1000 integrated flightdeck on all TBM 700 A and B models.

“We are very excited to offer the Garmin G1000 to all our TBM customers and it was important that this announcement was made at the TBMOPA Convention ”, said Nicolas Chabbert, President of DAHER-SOCATA North America. “ This builds the close cooperation that has existed since the beginning with members of TBMOPA, whose passion has always been a driver for us.”

With more than 20 sessions in three days, the packed audience learned more about the TBM’s systems and operations, as well as the TBM insurance market. In addition, the 6th annual TBM safety review provided a safety record overview and highlighted the lessons that could be learned from the aircraft’s operational experience.

A full range of activities were offered to both participants and their companions, such as “pinch hitter” training courses for non-flying TBMOPA companions and numerous social events around La Paloma resort, including a golf competition, and sight-seeing trips..

About the TBM Owners and Pilots Association
The TBM Owners and Pilots Association (TBMOPA) was founded to provide owners of the ultimate personal aircraft with the ultimate ownership experience. TBMOPA focuses on safety and training as well as social events all designed to maximize the pleasure and utility of TBM ownership.
For more information, visit www.tbmowners.org .
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More: www.tbm850.com

DAHER is a European integrated equipment and services supplier. In addition to aerospace, DAHER specializes in three other sectors: nuclear, defense and industries. DAHER is developing in three fields of expertise: manufacturing, services and transport, which enable it to offer a comprehensive package. DAHER-SOCATA is one of the world’s leading general aviation manufacturers, with more than 17,000 aircraft built since its creation as Morane-Saulnier in 1911. Current products include the TBM 850 high-speed turboprop aircraft, aerostructures for Airbus civil airliners, the A400M military transporter, Dassault Falcon jets, Eurocopter helicopters and Embraer regional jets. DAHER-SOCATA is expanding its customer service activities to support its growing fleet of TBMs and offer its light aviation expertise for aircraft below 19,000 lbs (8.6 metric tons) through avionics modernization, maintenance, repair and overall package offers. Founded in 1863, DAHER is an exclusively family-run, independent international group, with more than 7,000 employees and 12 international installations (four in Western Europe, three in Eastern Europe, two in North America, two in Africa and one in Australia). DAHER will exceed a €930 million turnover in 2009.