Socata Plans Turbo-Diesel Aircraft

A Socata TB-series aircraft fitted with a 230-hp, 5-liter EADS SMA turbodiesel, should be certified and ready for production by the end of next year or early 2003, according to Phillippe Debrun, Socata's president and CEO.

"I believe it could double or even triple the number of piston engine aircraft we call sell," Debrun said recently. Socata has participated with SMA in the development of the SR305 since the beginning of the program, he says.

Although a TB 20 fitted with the SR305 first flew in March 1999, the JAR-23 aircraft type certification process is "very difficult," according to Debrun. As most of its piston engine aircraft are sold in the U.S., Socata also will have to obtain FAR 23 type certification.

The new aircraft also may be fitted with Honeywell Bendix/King Apex avionics, featuring large-format, flat-panel displays.