Daher has delivered its 500th TBM 900 series aircraft, underscoring the continued global market demand for this best-selling family in the efficient TBM turboprop-powered product line.
“The latest TBM programme achievement underscores the success of Daher’s constant enhancement policy in maintaining the competitiveness of our aircraft portfolio, with an emphasis on listening to the customer and a commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability,” says Nicolas Chabbert, senior vice president of the aircraft division.
With more than 100 TBM 960s on order, exceeding two years of production, Daher sees a sustained interest in the aircraft from professional operators and private owners, especially with the introduction of enhanced safety features, improved efficiency and upgraded cabin comfort.
The 500 deliveries to date for TBM 900 series aircraft surpass the totals of both previous generation TBM aircraft types: 324 aircraft were produced in the TBM 700 configuration, while 338 TBM 850s were manufactured. The TBM 850 was the initial version that rolled out under Daher management of the TBM product line.
Daher’s introduction of the first TBM 900 series aircraft was in 2014 with a configuration featuring aerodynamic improvements such as new engine cowlings, the addition of winglets and the integration of Hartzell's five-blade scimitar propeller.
In 2016, the TBM 900 series was augmented by the higher-end TBM 930 version, equipped with Garmin’s touchscreen G3000 integrated flight deck. This variant incorporated the initial elements of the TBM’s e-copilot functionality, which lowers pilot workload and provides better situational awareness.
Daher further evolved the series in 2018 with its TBM 910, featuring Garmin’s G1000 NXi avionics. The TBM 910 continues to be available from Daher on customer request.
In 2019, the TBM 930 was succeeded by the TBM 940 with autothrottle. In 2020, it became one of the first aircraft equipped with the HomeSafe emergency autoland system.
Daher’s latest high-end version is the TBM 960, unveiled by the company in 2022 and integrating the new PT6E-66XT turboprop engine, which was purpose-built by Pratt & Whitney Canada for this aircraft, as well as Hartzell Propeller’s five-blade composite propeller with the Raptor lightweight hub. Both the engine and propeller system are linked to the TBM 960’s dual-channel digital Engine and Propeller Electronic Control System. This optimises powerplant performance, while reducing pilot workload by integrating all functions and protecting the engine’s life.
The Prestige cabin features an all-new environmental control system, LED ambience strip lighting integrated into both sides of the overhead ceiling panel, and electronically-dimmable windows, all controlled by a passenger comfort display.