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51-463: The SOCATA Rallye (English: Rally ) is a light aircraft that was manufactured by French aviation company SOCATA . It was originally developed during the 1950s by French aircraft manufacturer Morane-Saulnier as the MS.880 . On 10 June 1959, the prototype Rallye conducted the type's maiden flight ; on 21 November 1961, type certification for the first production versions of the aircraft, designated as

102-695: A 70% stake in EADS SOCATA. On 7 January 2009, DAHER confirmed its acquisition of a majority 70% stake in SOCATA. During late 2009, it was announced that EADS SOCATA had finalised an agreement with a private company, JetSet International Ltd, for the sale of the type certificate , tooling, components, engineering plans and drawings for the Morane-Saulnier MS.760 Paris , a jet-powered business jet developed by SOCATA's predecessor. The firm had separately purchased in excess of 30 retired MS760s from

153-530: A consequence of Waco's dissolution, third party aviation companies purchased the various leftover assets and continued to provide spare parts and services to American owners of the Rallye. In the early 1970s, New York -based company BFA Aviation was appointed as the type's new distributor within North America. BFA, via several subsidiaries of its parent company Aerocon Inc, performed the final assembly of

204-424: A final agreement for DAHER to acquire a 70% stake in EADS SOCATA. In June 2014, DAHER announced that it had acquired the remaining 30% of EADS SOCATA from Airbus Group (formerly EADS). During March 2015, the SOCATA name fell out of use, the company's name having been changed to just Daher at this time as part of a rebranding to align the division with its parent company. The history of SOCATA can be traced back to

255-544: A range of improvements and alterations were progressively made upon the design as new models of the Rallye were introduced; typical advances included the adoption of more powerful engines, improved payload capability, and strengthened structure, the addition of wheel fairings, increased ground clearance for the propeller, expanded rudder and ailerons , and changes to the cockpit canopy arrangement. On 19 November 1962, Morane-Saulnier filed for bankruptcy , and in January 1963

306-432: A wholly owned subsidiary of the multinational aerospace conglomerate EADS ; shortly thereafter, the business was rebranded as EADS SOCATA . On 27 June 2008, EADS announced its intention to sell a controlling interest in EADS SOCATA to French technology business DAHER , but would retain a minority stake in the company. On 3 November 2008, EADS and DAHER announced that they had reached a final agreement for DAHER to acquire

357-406: Is almost like being in a four-place open cockpit plane". Typically, the Rallye would be furnished with dual flying controls, each being complete with their own control stick , upon which controls for the intercom would be often mounted. While fully featured cockpit instrumentation was an available option to be installed upon the Rallye, the additional weight of this equipment would noticeably impact

408-479: Is an abbreviation for Société de Construction d'Avions de Tourisme et d'Affaires , French for "Company for the construction of aircraft for tourism and business") following its acquisition by Sud Aviation . During 2000, SOCATA became a wholly owned subsidiary of the multinational aerospace conglomerate EADS ; shortly thereafter, the business was rebranded as EADS SOCATA . On 3 November 2008, EADS and French technology business DAHER announced that they had reached

459-451: Is an aircraft that has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 12,500 lb (5,670 kg) or less. Light aircraft are used as utility aircraft commercially for small-scale passenger and freight transport ; for sightseeing, photography, cropdusting , and other so-called aerial work roles of civil aviation ; for the personal-use aspect of general aviation ; and in certain aspects of military aviation . Examples of aircraft that are at

510-405: The MS.880B and more powerful MS.885 , was awarded. Successive models of the Rallye were developed and manufactured; changes typically involved the installation of more powerful engines, structural strengthening, and the expansion of some of the flight control surfaces , culminating in the MS.890 Rallye Commodore series with higher gross weight and seating for four. As part of efforts to access

561-589: The most popular in history being the Cessna 172 , and most popular in modern history being the Cirrus SR22 and Robinson R44 . Larger light aircraft, such as twin turboprops and very light jets , are often used as business aircraft . Most floatplanes also fall into the category of light aircraft. SOCATA During 1966, the French aircraft manufacturer Morane-Saulnier changed its name to SOCATA (which

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612-484: The Americas. Among its uses, the aircraft proved to be a good trainer, in part due to the generous visibility provided from its cockpit and forgiving flight characteristics. The SOCATA Rallye is a single-engined, low-wing monoplane light aircraft, capable of STOL (short takeoff and landing) performance. The Rallye is considered to be sound and functional aircraft; efforts were made upon later-built aircraft to improve

663-399: The French and Argentinian governments; JetSet International Ltd reportedly had ambitions to refurbish these existing airframes and to install current-generation jet engines and avionics for the purpose of selling them on to operators for approximately $ 550,000. In June 2014, Daher announced that it had acquired the remaining 30% of EADS SOCATA from Airbus Group (formerly EADS), making it

714-672: The French aviation authorities. During March 1981, the first delivery of a production TB20 was completed to a German customer. Various improved models of the TB series were subsequently developed. SOCATA adopted a straightforward assembly philosophy at its final assembly facility in Tarbes, choosing to only complete a given aircraft after having already received an order for it. Basic airframes would be produced in advance and finished upon order, allowing for customer-specified modifications and optional equipment to be installed as per their demands. While

765-681: The Koliber commenced; an initial batch of ten aircraft was produced that year. During February 1994, type certification of the Koliber was granted by the American Federal Aviation Administration , clearing the Polish derivatives to be sold and operated within the North American market. Shortly thereafter, a distributor arrangement was formed with Cadmus Corporation to market and service the Koliber in

816-595: The Rallye for those sold to American customers. The use of American suppliers within the aircraft's supply chain, such as the Franklin 6A-350-C1 engine, Hartzell or McCauley -built propellers, wheels, brakes, and some of the cockpit instrumentation, was made upon some models of the Rallye, such as the Minerva. Under the initial arrangement, US-built components would be shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to reach

867-415: The Rallye has fair manoeuvrability, such as during loops and rolls , the execution of aerobatic maneuvers is not officially approved by the manufacturer. The aircraft's power was provided from one of a range of progressively more powerful air-cooled engines; such as the early Rallye Cub model, which was powered by a 100 hp (75 kW) Continental O-200-A engine, while the newer Rallye 235 variant

918-495: The Rallye in large numbers through the remainder of the 1960s and through the 1970s. In the late 1960s, SOCATA pursued the development of an enlarged 7-seat version powered by a 300 hp (220 kW) Lycoming IO-540-K engine, the ST.60 Rallye 7. Two prototypes were constructed: a version with retractable tricycle landing gear , first flown on 3 January 1969, and an otherwise similar aircraft with fixed landing gear. However, SOCATA

969-569: The aircraft being independently constructed in its facilities in Warsaw as the PZL Koliber ( Humming Bird ). On 18 April 1978, the first PZL-built aircraft performed its maiden flight and, during the following year, quantity production of the Koliber commenced. During the mid-1970s, SOCATA commenced work on what would become the TB family of general aircraft; a key ambition of this new product line

1020-417: The aircraft with its capable slow-speed flight performance. Fuel is also internally carried within the wings. According to Flying Magazine, the Rallye possessed a generous degree of controllability and was relatively forgiving to fly, being extremely difficult to mishandle to the point where effective control of the aircraft would be lost. The aircraft is safe to fly at practically any piloting skill level. While

1071-556: The aircraft's capable STOL performance, was viewed as being a highly attractive selling point, particularly to customers within the North American market. On 10 June 1959, the prototype Rallye, powered by a 90 hp (67 kW) engine, conducted its maiden flight . On 21 November 1961, the first production versions of the aircraft, designated as the MS.880B and more powerful MS.885 , received their type certification , clearing them to perform operational flights. Thereafter,

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1122-501: The aircraft's performance; thus, customers would have to weigh up the benefits of having superior flight performance or being able to make use of greater amount of cockpit features. All variants beginning with the MS.890 are full four-seat aircraft. Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976–77 General characteristics Performance Light aircraft A light aircraft

1173-460: The available power. The prefix of the designation, TBM , originated from the initials "TB", which stands for Tarbes , the French city in which SOCATA is located, while the "M" stands for Mooney. At the time of its conception, while several aviation companies had studied or were otherwise considering the development of such an aircraft, the envisioned TBM 700 was the first high-performance single-engine passenger/cargo aircraft to enter production. From

1224-439: The aviation magazine Flying , in comparison with other light aircraft of the era, was relatively slow-moving and cheap fixed-wing aircraft; specifically, the magazine lauded the Rallye as being available "for a price much lower than any true STOL [short takeoff and landing], four-place aircraft". It featured a relatively simplistic design which enabled it to be provided at a highly affordable price to customers, which, along with

1275-436: The cockpit, aided by a step located just underneath the wing's trailing edge; on the ground. On the ground, the canopy should remain slightly open when occupied to allow for adequate airflow; in flight, the canopy can be left open at speed up to a maximum of 94 knots. The cockpit has been described as being relatively noisy, but also often praised for the provision of excellent external visibility; Flight Magazine stated that "It

1326-566: The early 1980s, the Rallye was eventually phased out of production in France in favour of the newer Socata TB series. During December 1984, the final SOCATA-built aircraft was delivered; the entire production run had covered approximately 3,300 aircraft. However, the Rallye continued to be produced under licence in Poland by aviation company PZL , which marketed their own models under the PZL Koliber (English: Hummingbird ) name. On 18 April 1978,

1377-476: The established goals of the design had been achieved, leading to quick progress towards production. On 31 January 1990, type certification was received from French authorities; it was followed by the awarding of US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification on 28 August 1990. During early 1990, the first delivery of a TBM 700 occurred; the first production batch of 50 aircraft were sold out almost instantly. Early feedback received from operators and pilots

1428-494: The facilities of Sud Aviation and its subsidiary companies in France for integration onto a French-built airframe which, following completion and initial test flights, would be disassembled into sections and conveyed to BFA Aviation in the United States for final assembly and sale; efforts to reduce unnecessary shipping and thus cost were explored. During 1979, SOCATA decided to embark upon a new production programme, one of

1479-416: The first flight of a prototype Koliber occurred; quantity production of the type commenced in Poland during the following year. During 1958, in response to the launch of a French government competition seeking such an aircraft, French aviation company Morane-Saulnier decided to commence work upon the design of a new single-engined light aircraft, initially designated as the MS.880 Rallye Club . According to

1530-534: The founding of the French aircraft manufacturer Morane-Saulnier in 1911. During 1966, Morane-Saulnier changed its name to SOCATA (which is an abbreviation for Societe de Construction d'Avions de Tourisme et d'Affaires , French for "Company for the construction of aircraft for tourism and business") following the company's acquisition by the state-owned aerospace interest Sud Aviation . During this period of ownership, SOCATA focused its activities on general aviation , manufacturing thousands of light aircraft throughout

1581-485: The landing gear of the Rallye is articulated in order to better withstand the sharp forces that are imposed during STOL landings. Flying Magazine noted that the Rallye is "a very nice-landing aircraft". The Rallye is equipped with a cantilever wing, which incorporated interconnected full-span automatic leading edge slats , wide-chord slotted ailerons , and wide-span Fowler -type trailing edge flaps . The combination of full-span slats and large Fowler flaps provided

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1632-541: The late 1960s, United States aviation entrepreneur Alexander Berger—whose Allied Aero Industries holding company owned the Franklin Engine Company and Jacobs Aircraft Engine Company —formed a new venture to market European light aircraft under the banner of the defunct Waco Aircraft Company . Based in Pottstown, Pennsylvania , Waco made arrangements to market, sell, and service the Rallye throughout

1683-505: The latter half of the 20th century. One of the company's more popular products was the Rallye family of general aircraft. During 1979, SOCATA decided to reorganise and rebrand much of its production programmes, one of the results of which being the renaming of the various models of Rallye series, each one receiving an individual, "more Gallic" name. During the 1980s, the Rallye was gradually superseded and phased out of production in France by

1734-559: The lucrative North American market, distributor agreements were formed with multiple US-based companies, such as the Waco Aircraft Company and BFA Aviation , to market, sell, and service the Rallye. These efforts, while not being trouble-free, provided valuable sales of the type. During 1979, SOCATA (which Morane-Saulnier had previously merged into) decided to rename all of the Rallye series' various models, each being assigned their own individual Gallic names. During

1785-508: The maximum gross takeoff weight for this category include the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and Beechcraft B200 Super King Air . Uses include aerial surveying, such as monitoring pipelines, light cargo operations, such as "feeding" cargo hubs, and passenger operations. Light aircraft are used for marketing purposes, such as banner towing and skywriting , and flight instruction . The majority of personal aircraft are light aircraft,

1836-576: The new aircraft; the ownership of the joint venture was divided between Mooney and SOCATA's then parent company, Aérospatiale . A pair of separate production lines for the TBM 700 were planned, one located at Mooney's facility in Kerrville, Texas, which was intended to cater to the American market, and the other based at SOCATA's factory in Tarbes, which was set to produce aircraft for customers throughout

1887-465: The newer Socata TB series. During December 1984, the final Rallye of approximately 3,300 aircraft, an armed R235 Guerrier model, was delivered. However, SOCATA's decision to terminate production in France was not the end of all manufacturing activity. During the 1970s, SOCATA had sold a license for the production of the Rallye 100ST model to the Polish State aviation company PZL , which led to

1938-400: The onset, key performance criteria were established, demanding a high level of reliability while also being capable of an unequalled speed/altitude combination amongst the TBM 700 other single-engined peers. Consequently, during June 1987, a joint venture , named TBM International , was established with the aim of completing development of the TBM 700 design and to perform the manufacture of

1989-522: The piston-powered Mooney 301 light aircraft of the Mooney Airplane Company . Accordingly, talks commenced between Mooney and SOCATA on the subject of producing a turboprop -powered derivative of the 301. The product that emerged from these discussions was a new design, referred to as the TBM 700 , which was considerably heavier than the original 301 while provisioned with more than twice

2040-465: The rest of the world. However, during the late 1980s and early 1990s, Mooney was afflicted by persistent fiscal shortfalls; consequently, in May 1991, Mooney chose to withdraw from participation in the joint venture, leaving SOCATA as the primary company involved in the programme. On 14 July 1988, the first TBM 700 prototype conducted the type's maiden flight . Flight testing proved that virtually all of

2091-428: The results of which being the renaming of the various models of Rallye series, each one receiving an individual, "more Gallic" name. During the 1980s, the type was gradually superseded and phased out of production in France by the newer Socata TB series. During December 1984, the final Rallye of approximately 3,300 aircraft, an armed R235 Guerrier model, was delivered. SOCATA's decision to terminate production in France

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2142-541: The sizable and attractive North American market, and introduced a licensed American-built version of the Rallye Commodore badged as the Waco MS.294A Minerva , powered by a 220 hp (160 kW) Franklin engine. Waco also sold the 150ST, 180CT and 235CT in the United States. However, the Rallye had little time to prove itself prior to Waco winding up its aviation activities following Berger's death in 1971. As

2193-512: The type was completed upon a single assembly line at the facility, all models, low and top end alike, were finished upon the same line. At the start of 1993, SOCATA was manufacturing around 12 aircraft of the TB series per month, by the middle of the year, this had dipped to roughly 8 aircraft per month. During the 1980s, SOCATA, having identified a vacant market position for a purpose-built optimised single-engine aircraft capable of fast personal transport and light cargo duties, became interested in

2244-401: The type's visual appeal and to clean up the exterior. Composed of all metal construction, it is typically outfitted with a fixed tricycle landing gear , complete with an offset free-castering nosewheel and relatively closely spaced main gear; however, an alternative landing gear configuration is used upon the 235 C model, which was provisioned with fixed tailwheel landing gear instead. Unusually,

2295-501: The type; instead of being solely reliant upon third parties and partnership arrangements with other companies, the firm developed their own facilities. SOCATA opened its own service center in Florida , as well as establishing a network of distributors capable of both sales and services for the TBM 700. Consequently, during the late 1990s, sales of the type within the North American market rose dramatically. During 2000, SOCATA became

2346-418: Was furnished with a 235 hp (175 kW) Lycoming O-540 engine. The Rallye was fitted with a bulbous cockpit, which was capable of accommodating two/three people in the basic lower-powered variants and up to four personnel within the more powerful models of the aircraft, some of which were designed to function as glider tugs and banner bearers . The canopy slides rearwards to provide access to and from

2397-462: Was not confident that a sufficient market for the aircraft existed, and no further production ensued. SOCATA subsequently introduced the enlarged MS.890 Rallye Commodore series with a heavier airframe and four seats; production and development of the MS.880 and MS.890 series continued in parallel, and the enlarged and strengthened empennage of the MS.890 was adapted to MS.880 variants using more powerful engines and those approved for spins . Also in

2448-437: Was not the end of all manufacturing activity for the type however. During the 1970s, SOCATA had sold a licence for production of the Rallye 100ST model to the Polish State aviation company PZL , which led to the aircraft being independently constructed in its facilities in Warsaw as the PZL Koliber ( Humming Bird ). On 18 April 1978, the first PZL-built aircraft performed its maiden flight. During 1979, quantity production of

2499-490: Was placed under the control of Potez , which established the Société d'Exploitation des Etablissements Morane-Saulnier (SEEMS) to manage its assets. On 20 May 1965, Sud Aviation acquired SEEMS from Potez, forming Gérance des Etablissements Morane-Saulnier (GEMS). In early 1966, Sud Aviation created another new subsidiary, SOCATA , to continue development and production of the Rallye series. SOCATA continued to manufacture

2550-589: Was to entirely replace the firm's existing and highly successful Rallye series. As intended, throughout 1979, production of the Rallye family was drawn down as production of the new family ramped up; the initial entry models of which were designated as the TB-9 Tampico and the TB-10 Tobago . On 18 December 1980, an improved model of the aircraft, designated as the TB20 , was awarded its type certification by

2601-500: Was typically positive about the capabilities of the new aircraft, often praising its speed and generous power margins amongst other attributes. According to aerospace publication Flying , while the TBM 700 had rapidly proved popular and a good aircraft on its own merits, the services and support facilities SOCATA provided were an initial point of weakness. SOCATA, recognising the critical importance of an effective support infrastructure, invested heavily in improving worldwide support for

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