DAHER-SOCATA today unveiled the newest member in its TBM family of very fast, single-engine turboprop business aircraft – the TBM 900 – which offers improved efficiency, an enhanced environment for both pilots and passengers, and superior performance without increased fuel consumption or additional engine power.

Developed during a more than three-year program involving 160,000 research and development hours, along with 200 hours of flight testing, the TBM 900 has been certified and will be ready for deliveries beginning this month.

DAHER-SOCATA has integrated 26 modifications in the TBM 900, building on the solid basis of its TBM aircraft family, including:

• Aerodynamic optimization through the addition of winglets and a vertical tailfin strake, as well as a new tail cone;

• The use of a five-blade composite propeller and redesigned spinner;

• A complete nose-to-firewall redesign for improved engine airflow circulation – featuring a banana-shaped air intake, carbon-fiber cowlings and new exhaust stacks;

• Enhanced human-machine interface features, ranging from an ergonomic control yoke with new functions to the restyled cockpit panel for increased visibility and interaction with secondary system controls;

• A revised cockpit center pedestal that incorporates a single-control throttle operation, associated with a new torque limiter that enables the use of 850 hp. engine power at takeoff;

• A completely revamped electrical system with 300-amp starter generator that allows new avionics and electronic devices to be incorporated on the aircraft. Its new electric core enables a semi-automatic start-up, while the new-generation 100-amp stand-by alternator provides electrical input in case of power supply loss;

• Increased passenger comfort, benefitting from lower cabin noise levels, an automated pressurization system and new-design seats.

Retaining primary airframe commonality with the predecessor TBM 850 – including its Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66D powerplant – the enhanced TBM 900 version ensures a proven airframe/engine combination.

The TBM 900's top cruise speed is increased to 330 KTAS at 28,000 ft., and its maximum range is extended to 1,730 naut. mi. with five adult passengers as a result of the fuel consumption reduction to 37 U.S. gallons per hour. 

By using the available 850 shp. engine power from takeoff, the aircraft's ground roll is reduced – even in hot-and-high conditions – while its improved climb rate enables the 31,000-ft. ceiling to be reached in 18 minutes, 45 seconds.

“Today, we are introducing a new aircraft to business aviation: the TBM 900, which benefits from the resources of DAHER and some USD 30 million of investment,” said Patrick Daher, Chairman and CEO of DAHER, at the aircraft's reveal ceremony in Tarbes, France. “DAHER is a true aircraft manufacturer with full capabilities to manage complex programs, from design and development to production, delivery and after-sales support.”

Stéphane Mayer, President and CEO of DAHER-SOCATA – the Aerospace & Defense activity of DAHER – said “the TBM 900 results from the company's attention in listening to customers, and builds on the TBM 850's success. This positions the company for its future in business aviation, as well as underscores the capabilities of the DAHER's Aerospace & Defense activities”.

“The TBM 900 provides a new competitive edge by delivering even more on the right combination of speed, performance, efficiency and fuel consumption,” said Nicolas Chabbert, the Senior Vice President of DAHER-SOCATA's Airplane Business Unit. “As with the other TBM family members, it will be supported by our growing international network, and backed by the DAHER-SOCATA commitment to customer satisfaction.”

Some of the TBM 900's new elements are manufactured at DAHER-SOCATA's aerostructures and systems production sites in France for composite components and piping.

The optimization of this latest TBM family member was achieved through major efforts in modeling, including the use of computational fluid dynamics – enabling detailed assessments of airflow around the aircraft that replaced traditional wind tunnel testing. As a result, the TBM 900's performance and handling was determined with high precision. 

Additionally, advance work conducted by DAHER-SOCATA facilitated the flight test phase and allowed an important time savings in research and development.