French airframer Daher’s latest iteration of its high-speed turboprop, the TBM 900, is making its Paris air show debut, 15 months after entering service.
“This show provides an ideal setting for us to promote the TBM 900, not only to business and corporate users but also to international governments and agencies,” says director of product marketing for Daher's airline business unit Philippe de Segovia.
“The aircraft can be easily be adapted for a special mission role such as surveillance and security,” he adds.
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While the majority of the more than 700 TBMs in service today are operated for private and business purposes, a number are used in a military capacity. The French armed forces operate 27 TBM 700A/Bs, Segovia says. “The first aircraft was delivered in 1992, and the fleet has notched up over 200,000 flight hours,” he adds
The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66D-powered TBM 900 entered service in March 2014, following a secretive certification campaign at Daher’s headquarters in Tarbes, southwest France.
The $3.8 million (€3.4 million) type is an upgraded version of the TBM 850, featuring improved efficiency and performance thanks to aerodynamic modifications including winglets, a vertical tail-fin strake and a new tail cone. Top cruise speed has been increased by 10kt (18km/h) to 330kt at 28,000ft, while the maximum range has been extended by more than 300nm (560km).
To date Daher has delivered 75 TBM 900s – mainly to customers in North America – and has a backlog of around 25.
Source: Flight Daily News
