Moving with the expansion of its TBM turboprop series into Central and Eastern Europe, Daher has appointed Hradecká Letecká Servisní (HLS) s.r.o. as the authorized service and sales center for the models in the Czech and Slovak Republics.
The company bases at the Czech Republic’s Hradec Králové Airport (LKHK), where it has cared for other SOCATA models, the single-engine piston TB10 Tobago and TB20 Trinidad, as well as TBM 700s before moving into the latest models—the 910, 940, and 960, which debuted in March. It has served the general aviation community in the region for more than 20 years.
Thus far, Daher has delivered 15 TBM models to operators based in Central and Eastern European countries, including Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic and Slovakia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Romania, Slovenia, and Poland. Poland has the most units, with 6 TBMs operating there. Daher expects the relationships to assist with ramping up additional sales in those countries.
“We welcome HLS to Daher’s global Network of TBM Service Centers and as an authorized sales representative for the Czech and Slovak Republics,” said Nicolas Chabbert, senior vice president of Daher’s Aircraft Division. “With the interest in Central Europe for the TBM as a fast and efficient aircraft, we wanted a capable partner in this region to expand our activities, which we found with HLS.”
Ales Kurka, general manager at HLS, expressed pleasure at the appointment. “HLS is committed to providing professional support for the TBM in our region,” he said in a statement. “We look forward to pursuing sales opportunities that will bring this very fast turboprop aircraft into service with more owners and operators.”
HLS is an approved Part 145 (CZ 145.0059) facility, and it’s also authorized for Continued Airworthiness Procedures as a CAO (combined airworthiness organization) certified to Part CAO (CZ.CAO.0030).
As of July 2022, Daher had delivered more than 1,091 TBM models since the first of the TBM 700s came on the scene in 1990. Of these, 18 percent have been delivered in Europe, with 76 percent to North America.
The Czech Republic hosts a robust GA industry, centered most recently on development of ultralight (UL) and light sport (LSA) category aircraft by manufacturers such as Evektor and BRM Aero/Bristell—but also the light turbine OEM Aero Vodochody, makers of the L-39 single-engine jet trainer.
