Garmin

Daher-Socata airplane division senior v-p Nicolas Chabbert gave an optimistic outlook at EBACE for sales of the French manufacturer’s TBM 850 turboprop single. At about 40 examples of the aircraft, deliveries this year will be close to last year’s 38–but this time the backlog is much stronger: “We have sold 95 percent of the planned production,” Chabbert said.

Charter operator Fast Air, based in Winnipeg, Canada, did its first Halo 250 gross weight increase modification on a Beechcraft King Air 200 equipped for aeromedical transport. Fast Air also offers aircraft management, maintenance and consulting services. The Halo 250 mod adds 920 pounds of payload capacity by increasing the maximum takeoff weight to 13,420 pounds, up from 12,500.

The Halo 250 mod was developed by CenTex Aerospace of Waco, Texas, and FAA certification was granted last October after three years of effort.

UK-based CAE Oxford Aviation Academy placed an order for 35 Piper airplanes today at the Sun ’n Fun Fly-in in Lakeland, Fla. The agreement includes firm orders for 22 Archer TX piston singles and 13 piston twins, as well as parts and service.

Quest Aircraft is displaying one of its Kodiak turboprop singles with its newly certified Timberline interior this week at the Sun ’n Fun Fly-in in Lakeland, Fla. The new interior features Kydex panels with composites, which will contribute to a weight reduction and thus improve the aircraft’s useful load.