French aircraft manufacturer Daher announced several upgrades for its high-performance TBM 960 and utility Kodiak 100 turboprop singles today at the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida. The company also designated Simcom as the factory-approved training organization for all Kodiaks and TBMs.
For the Kodiak 100, the company is now offering a composite five-blade propeller as an option for Series III models and as a retrofit for all Model 100s. Compared with the stock four-blade propeller, the option is 13 pounds lighter and reduces noise and takeoff roll distance by 6.6 percent and 6 percent, respectively. In addition, a Garmin 1000 NXi upgrade that includes the GTX 345R ADS-B In/Out transponder is available as a retrofit for all Kodiak 100s.
Though only revealed last year at Sun ‘n Fun, the TBM 960 is getting a checklist review button on the yoke and repositioned altimeter setting knobs, as well as Garmin 4G LTE/Wi-Fi datalink and GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar.
Meanwhile, Daher tapped Simcom for Kodiak 100 and 900 training, building on their 24-year relationship for TBM instruction. As part of the agreement, Simcom is installing a fixed-based Kodiak flight simulator, built by Frasca International, at its Scottsdale, Arizona facility that is expected to be online by October.