Daher has announced that deliveries of its TBM very fast turboprop aircraft family ,the TBM 960, have reached 20, with the momentum continuing to meet the company’s solid order book.
Of this total, 17 TBM 960s have been received by customers in the United States, with these handovers initiated by Daher following the aircraft’s certification on June 23 by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness authority.
The three other TBM 960s were delivered to customers in Europe based on the previous certification approval by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
“The TBM 960’s benefits of digital power for enhanced sustainability, a superior piloting experience and increased cabin comfort has created a strong demand for our latest TBM version,” explained Nicolas Chabbert, the Senior Vice President of Daher’s Aircraft Division.
“We’re nearly fully booked for 2023, with a significant percentage of these orders coming from customers in North America and Europe.”
The recipient of the 20th-delivered TBM 960 was Johnie Weems, a businessman from South Florida, who has owned three previous-version TBMs.
“The TBM 960’s advanced technology reduces the single pilot’s workload, which ultimately leads to safer flights,” he commented.
“I want to thank the Daher team for having an innovative mindset and pursuing the quest to make an already very capable aircraft even better.”
After taking delivery of his new TBM 960 at the factory of Daher’s Aircraft Division in Tarbes, France, Weems performed the transatlantic flight back to South Florida with legendary ferry pilot, Margrit Waltz.
“This was truly an amazing experience and an eye-opener as to the capabilities of the TBM.
“I was amazed at how simple the TBM 960 made the crossing.”
Key new features of the TBM 960 are its advanced Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-66XT engine
and Hartzell Propeller’s five-blade Raptor™ composite propeller, both of which are linked to the dual-channel digital Engine and Propeller Electronic Control System (EPECS).
With the EPECS, the PT6E-66XT’s startup is fully automated after a single-switch activation.
The cockpit’s power lever becomes an e-throttle, using a single forward position from takeoff to landing – with the EPECS optimizing powerplant performance throughout the flight envelope while reducing pilot workload by integrating all functions and protecting the engine’s life.
The Raptor™ propeller is fully integrated into the propulsion system.
It is specifically designed to reduce overall weight and improve the TBM 960’s takeoff distance, climb and cruise speed.
Turning at 1,925 rpm during maximum power output, the Raptor contributes to limiting noise and vibration. Its sound level during takeoff is just 76.4 decibels, meeting the most stringent international noise standards.
