Daher has selected Elliott Aviation to perform retrofit installs of HomeSafe emergency autoland systems on U.S.-registered TBM 940s eligible for the upgrade. HomeSafe is based on Garmin’s emergency autoland technology, which automatically brings the turboprop single to a safe touchdown on a runway if the pilot becomes incapacitated.
Elliott Aviation will perform retrofits for TBM 940s sold by Daher to include the autoland system upgrade once HomeSafe was approved by aviation authorities, as well as other 2019 model TBM 940s that are eligible for retrofit as a customer option.
According to Daher aircraft division senior v-p Nicolas Chabbert, Elliott Aviation was chosen for its capabilities and resources to undertake the comprehensive scope of work involved in HomeSafe upgrades/retrofits. The retrofit requires modification of the aircraft’s braking system, as well as wiring changes and integration of electrical relays to enable automatic activation of the flaps, landing gear, and landing lights.
“Elliott Aviation provides a solution for timely execution of the HomeSafe installations on aircraft from almost half of this year’s production output, which require multi-competency expertise for work that will be performed to factory standards,” said Chabbert. “The company also has committed the necessary dedicated resources.”
Elliott Aviation has been a TBM-authorized service center since 2005 and is a leading aftermarket dealer for Garmin. The HomeSafe retrofits f0r U.S.-registered TBM 940s will be performed at Elliott Aviation’s headquarters in Moline, Illinois. Daher will be performing this retrofit work on airplanes from the rest of the world at its Tarbes, France headquarters, which is a repair station certified by EASA and FAA.