TBM 900 makes first Oshkosh appearance

OSHKOSH —DAHER-SOCATA’s TBM 900 made its first-ever appearance at AirVenture this week.

Retaining the airframe, engine and avionics from DAHER-SOCATA’s TBM 850, the new TBM 900 is enhanced by aerodynamic optimization, including the addition of winglets, Hartzell’s new five-blade composite propeller, a complete nose-to-firewall redesign for improved engine airflow circulation, and an improved human-machine interface in the cockpit, according to company officials.

Two TBM 900 are exhibited at AirVenture Oshkosh.

“The TBM 900’s presentation at AirVenture’s prime display location confirms the recognition of this aircraft as the civil aviation market’s no. 1 single-engine turboprop based on performance,” explained Nicolas Chabbert, the Senior Vice President of DAHER-SOCATA’s Airplane Business Unit. “We want to share our passion for aviation with the AirVenture’s crowds in Oshkosh, and especially with our TBM pilots and friends. This also is the occasion for me to congratulate New Avex, our distributor in California, for an important milestone: the delivery of its 100th TBM.”

The TBM 900’s top cruise speed is 330 KTAS at 28,000 ft., and the maximum range is extended to 1,730 nm as a result of the fuel consumption reduction to 37 gallons per hour at economy cruise. Its takeoff and climb performance enables the aircraft’s 31,000-ft. ceiling to be reached in 18 minutes, 45 seconds in ISA conditions.

Since DAHER-SOCATA’s official unveiling four months ago, 26 TBM 900s have been delivered to customers from the 48 ordered for delivery this year. Purchase intentions have already been registered for 2015, company officials noted. For delivery this year, a standard TBM 900 is priced at $3.5 million.