More Than 300 Attendees And 85 Aircraft Gathered In Colorado Springs

The TBM Owners and Pilot Association (TBMOPA) ... the independent users group of DAHER-SOCATA’s TBM 700 and TBM 850 very fast turboprop aircraft ... welcomed more than 300 attendees taking part in its annual convention held August 31-September 5 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The presence  of over 85 TBM aircraft on the ramp represented an increase of 12 percent compared to last year.

The TBMOPA presented three days of dynamic academic sessions that were customized for the TBM 700 and TBM 850 aircraft, along with social events. As in the past, participation in the convention’s academic portion qualified attendees for insurance renewal bonuses or credits. These seminars enabled TBM pilots to improve their skills and knowledge, and included a session on the TMB 700/TBM 850’s PT6A engine with Pratt & Whitney Canada experts, and a presentation Dr. David Strahle on thunderstorm avoidance using NexRad radar images.

Also highlighting the convention were keynote speakers such as AOPA President  Craig L. Fuller and SR-71 Blackbird pilot Brian Shul. “In addition to registering a growth in attendance numbers, we were extremely pleased by the high level of satisfaction expressed by our members, who appreciated the very interesting technical sessions as well as the recreational and social events,” explained TBMOPA Chairman Steve Walenz. ”We particularly enjoyed the support of DAHER-SOCATA, its distributors and TBM vendors, whose commitment to keep TBM in the leadership position confirms to all of us that we chose the right aircraft.”

Nicolas Chabbert, the President of SOCATA North America and DAHER-SOCATA’s Senior Vice President – Airplane Division, said the convention’s success demonstrates the true community that has been built around the TBM aircraft. “This 8th TBMOPA Convention clearly reflects the growth of the TBM fleet, as well as the maturity of the relationships between TBM operators and DAHER-SOCATA as the aircraft manufacturer,” he said.

As part of the 2011 convention’s activities, two new members were elected to the TBMOPA board of directors: Laurence Glazer, from Rochester, New York, and Howard E. Janzen, based in Leawood, Kansas. They replace retiring directors John Labonte and Joe Rainey, who were acknowledged for their service to the organization.

FMI: www.tbmowners.org