Socata makes moves towards Eurocopter and IAR Brasov for aircraft construction deal

Socata, a subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS), is making a move to sign an agreement with Eurocopter Romania and IAR Brasov for the construction of two aircraft models. The three partners will produce the piston-engine aircraft models TB20 and TB21 with a capacity of four to five seats. A third version, known as TB2X, to be powered by an SMA diesel-cycle engine, will also be produced in Romania. Following the agreement, IAR Brasov would produce the subsystems and Eurocopter Romania would focus on assembly. Socata will also supply production equipments for aircraft parts and manage the marketing plans. More than 400 planes will be produced between 2007 and 2012, at a price ranging between $350,000 and $370,000.