Daher has unveiled a new partner for its TBM 900 turboprop and confirmed its commitment to continue evolving the TBM family.
While performance and characteristics remain the same as for the 900 — maximum cruise speed 330kts (611km/hr), maximum range of 1,730NM (3,200km) — the new TBM 930 features a Garmin 3000 avionics suite, billed as the first touchscreen-controlled glass flight deck designed for light turbine aircraft. The instrument panel’s three wide-format WXGA displays can operate in a split-screen mode, enabling maps and flight plans to remain on the screen side-by-side with primary, traffic and weather information.
A new glass touchscreen controller serves as the pilot’s primary point of entry for the G3000 system, displaying communication and navigation controls. In addition, the G3000 avionics suite’s high resolution displays enhance the presentation of simulated 3-D perspective topography for Garmin’s Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT).
Daher has also developed an enhanced interior for the TBM 930 with redesigned seating and headrests, along with a new choice of wood or carbon finishes. Polished metal is used for handles, door sills and steps.
The TBM 930 has received its certification from the European EASA and U.S. FAA airworthiness authorities, and the company says initial orders have already been booked, with first deliveries set for this month.
In addition to the TBM 930’s introduction, Daher has integrated the company’s e-copilot function on Model Year 2016 aircraft for both the TBM 900 and TBM 930 versions, incorporating the following systems and functionality for reduced pilot workload:
- A sensor and angle of attack (AOA) calculator, providing angle of attack information on the primary flight display.
- Electronic stabilization and protection systems (ESP) and Under Speed Protection (USP), which are connected to the AOA computer. These electronic monitoring and stability augmentation systems assist the pilot in maintaining the aircraft in a stable flight condition when flight parameters are exceeded;
- An emergency descent mode (EDM) in the autopilot, which places the aircraft in automatic descent to a safe altitude of 15,000ft in the event of cabin depressurization and lack of pilot response; and
- New voice alerts – providing notification on stall, overspeed, landing gear status and oxygen mask use – which replace aural sounds for better warning identification.
To date, Daher has booked a total of 140 orders for the TBM 900 since it was launched in 2014, with North America accounting for 78% of customers. 110 aircraft had been delivered as of 31st March 2016.