Daher delivered the first TBM 960 model aircraft this past week, which was launched during Sun n' Fun, in early April. This new aircraft belongs to the TBM900 family.
The first plane was delivered in , during the Aero Friedrichshafen event, and will also operate in the same country for a German businessman. The TBM960's biggest advancement is Pratt & Whitney Canada's fully electronically controlled PT6E-66XT engine.
Daher also disclosed that it has a significant number of TBM960 aircraft on order, which guarantees production until the 3rd quarter of 2023. About 60 aircraft of this model will be delivered this year, said Nicolas Chabbert, senior vice president of the Aircraft Division at Daher. Daher.
“We are having incredible success”he said, though adding: “We are struggling to get parts into our supply chain. It is a big challenge.”
Daher is capable of producing up to 75 TBM960s a year, according to Chabbert. The aircraft will directly replace the TBM940, and is now being certified by the FAA in the US.
TBM960 Updates
In addition, the new version of the Daher single-engine turboprop received a new interior with LED lighting, electrically adjustable windows and electronic cabin control. This TBM 960 was unveiled during Sun 'n Fun 2022 in Florida.
Even maintaining the high flight speed in cruise, the TBM 960 with updated engine consumes 57 US gallons of kerosene per hour. This value is 10% more economical compared to the previous version.
At the heart of this latest version of the TBM is the engine PT6E-66XT and Hartzell Propeller's five-blade Raptor composite propeller, both linked to the two-channel digital engine and electronic propeller control system (EPECS).
Other benefits include increased engine takeoff and climb power (+45 SHP of mechanical power) and increased thermodynamic power (up to 4% under International Standard Atmosphere conditions).
The cockpit continues to rely on the Garmin G3000 avionics system, which, together with the electronic management of the engine and propeller, contributes to reducing the pilots' workload. In addition, it is possible to find some useful safety systems, such as a Garmin GWX 8000 Doppler weather radar and protections to assist the pilot in case of emergency and against an aircraft stall.
With the launch of the new aircraft, Daher's TBM family is now offered in two versions: TBM 960 and TBM 910.
Longer time between revisions
The improved design features and digital capabilities of the PT6E-66XT engine increase the aircraft's availability. Scheduled maintenance intervals have been increased, including the time between overhauls from 3500 to 5000 hours. The electronic control system removes engine hardware, resulting in a combined 40% reduction in scheduled maintenance.
Street: AinOnline and Daher
