Digital power takes flight with the TBM 960, Daher’s new high-end very fast turboprop aircraft

A few weeks after the TBM 960’s official announcement of the TBM 960 at Sun’N’fun aerospace expo Daher started the deliveries for its latest very fast turboprop aircraft version – the TBM 960 – which brings the advantages of digital power for enhanced operational safety and efficiency, improved aviation sustainability, facilitated maintenance and increased cabin comfort.

The first TBM 960 was received on the eve of the AERO Friedrichshafen General Aviation by a German-based businessman, who will operate it for corporate and private trips – primarily in Europe.

This unnamed customer, who owned a non-pressurized single-engine piston aircraft, currently is completing instrument training and will fly with his flight instructor as a mentor pilot until gaining experience in the TBM 960.  Factors that influenced his acquisition decision included the flight instructor’s recommendation, the aircraft’s cost/performance ratio, and the ability to operate from shorter-length airport runways. 

“I’ve always been impressed by the TBM aircraft family’s performance, along with its level of safety and the systems – especially the HomeSafe™ emergency autoland,” he explained. “There are less expensive airplanes on the market, but none offers so many systems. And I was extremely pleased to learn that I’m the first customer to take delivery of the new TBM 960.”

The no. 1-delivered TBM 960 was sold by Rheinland Air Service GmbH, the Daher Kodiak and TBM distributor and service center for Germany and Austria. 

Certification of the TBM 960 was issued on March 2,, 2022 by EASA (the European Union Aviation Safety Agency), with certification by the U.S. FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) currently underway. 

“We thank our customer for his confidence in the TBM and the appreciation of our services,” stated Nicolas Chabbert, the Senior Vice President of Daher’s Aircraft Division. “His acquisition confirms that the TBM 960’s efficiency and innovative safety systems match the expectations of our European customers at a time of sustainable development issues and stringent regulations.”

The TBM 960 retains many features of the highly successful TBM 940, becoming the new high-end version in Daher’s TBM 900-series airplane family. These features include Garmin’s G3000® integrated flight deck that integrates the following TBM e-copilot® functions: icing protection, flight envelope monitoring through the Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) and the Under-speed Protection (USP) systems, the Emergency Descent Mode (EDM) function; as well as HomeSafe™.

Its primary differences are Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6E-66XT turboprop engine, combined with the Hartzell Propeller five-blade Raptor™ composite propeller and hub, which are linked to a dual-channel digital Engine and Propeller Electronic Control System (EPECS). 

Offering the TBM 900-series’ recognized performance capabilities, the TBM 960’s digital control also enables pilots to fly with more precise power settings. At Daher’s recommended cruise setting of 308 kts., the fuel consumption is only 57 U.S. gallons per hour, which is a 10% fuel economy compared to the maximum cruise setting for more sustainability.

More Digital

At the heart of the TBM 960 is the “intelligent” P&WC PT6E-66XT powerplant 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 start-up is fully automated after a single-switch activation. Using this FADEC-type functionality, the power lever is an e-throttle, using a single forward position from takeoff to landing – with the EPECS optimising powerplant performance throughout the flight envelope reducing pilot workload by integrating all functions and protecting the engine’s life. Analysis of engine parameters is driven by 100-plus smart data inputs. 

Raptor Propeller

The Raptor propeller and its hub are 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.

G3000 Flight Deck

With its G3000 integrated flight deck, the TBM 960 retains Daher’s e-copilot concentration of technological innovation and safety systems in the TBM, which can be compared to an ‘electronic copilot’. This includes an icing protection system, flight envelope monitoring through the Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) and the Under-speed Protection (USP) systems, the Emergency Descent Mode (EDM) function, as well as the ‘HomeSafe’ emergency autoland system.

Doppler Weather Radar

New to the TBM 960 is the Garmin GWX 8000 Doppler weather radar with advanced surveillance features such as lightning and hail prediction, turbulence detection, zero blind range for close-in returns, and ground clutter suppression. The TBM 960 also is the first application of Garmin’s next-generation data transmitter for automatic database upload and interconnection with mobile devices.

The Prestige Cabin

The TBM 960’s Prestige cabin extends Daher’s use of digital power inside the aircraft, featuring an all-new environmental control system produced by Enviro Systems Inc.,, LED ambience strip lighting integrated into both sides of the overhead ceiling panel, and electronically-dimmable windows – all controlled by a Passenger Comfort Display (PCD).

Enhancements in the cabin’s style and comfort also include new ergonomically enhanced seats, USB-A and USB-C power plugs, individual cupholders and headset hangers for each occupant.

As its predecessors since the TBM 850 model year 2012, the cabin offers quick-change configuration possibilities: club or commuter seating, the removal of the two rear seats for more luggage space or the installation of a lavatory compartment, or the addition of a large storage cabinet.

For the TBM 960, a fifth factory standard TBM paint scheme – called Sirocco, based on the creativity of French designer Alexandre Echasseriau – has been added to the aircraft’s style customisation possibilities.

With the new aircraft’s launch, Daher’s TBM family is now offered in two versions: the TBM 960 and TBM 910. As of January 1, 2022, a total of 1,070 TBM aircraft and 300 Kodiaks had been delivered to international owners and operators, and the global fleet has now accumulated some 2.2 million flight hours.

www.tbm.aero

 IN FIGURES

POWERPLANT

Type: P&W Canada PT6E-66XT turboprop

Thermodynamic power                                     1844 hp.
Nominal power                                                 850 shp.
Usable fuel capacity                                         292 US gal.          1,106 liters

INTERNAL DIMENSIONS

Maximum cabin width                                                    3 ft. 11.64 in.             1.21 m.
Maximum cabin length                                                   13 ft. 3.45 in.             4.05 m.
Maximum cabin height                                                   4 ft.                            1.22 m.
Maximum volume in cabin                                              123 cu. ft.                  3.5 cu. m.

LOADING

Basic empty weight with Prestige package                      4,806 lb.             2,180 kg.
Maximum ramp weight (MRW)                                       7,650 lb.             3,470 kg.
Maximum takeoff weight                                                7,615 lb.            3,454 kg.
Maximum zero fuel weight                                             6,252 lb.             2,836 kg.
Maximum payload                                                         1,446 lb.              656 kg.
Maximum payload with full fuel:                                     888 lb.                403 kg.
Maximum luggage in storage areas (4 seats)                  507 lb.              230 kg.
Maximum luggage in storage areas (6 seats)                  330 lb.               150 kg.

PERFORMANCE (ISA conditions, MTOW, no wind,)

Maximum cruise speed at long-range settings                 252 KTAS             467 km/h
Maximum cruise speed at 28,000 ft.                               330 KTAS             611 km/h
Time-to climb to 31,000 ft.                                             18 min. 45 sec.
Certified ceiling                                                                31,000 ft.          9,449 m.

RUNWAY DISTANCES (ISA conditions, MTOW, no wind, 50 ft. obstacle clearance)

Takeoff                                                                         2,535 ft.             773 m.
Landing                                                                        2,430 ft.             741 m.

RANGE (Max. range with max. fuel (ISA, MTOW, no wind, one pilot, 45 min fuel reserve) @ 31,000 ft.

252 KTAS cruise speed                         1,730 NM          3,204 km
308 KTAS cruise speed                         1,585 NM          2,935 km
326 KTAS cruise speed                         1,440 NM          2,666 km

Suggested prices for a TBM 960 delivered in 2022

TBM 960 standard equipped price          $4,565,789
TBM 960 with Prestige package             $4,778,964