Aircraft Overview: Daher TBM 960
Aircraft Overview: Daher TBM 960
Daher TBM 960
The TBM 960 is a single-engine turboprop produced by French manufacturer Daher that is one of the commercial designations of the company’s TBM700 N type.
Unveiled on April 5, 2022, at the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo, the TBM 960 replaced the TBM 940.
Although the TBM 960 was announced in April 2022, that version of the TBM700 N was certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in March 2022, with the first delivery taking place taking place in May of that year.
Cabin
All commercial designations of the TBM700 N have a maximum passenger seating capacity of five, with the TBM 960’s passengers accommodated in a cabin that has a maximum length of 13 ft. 3.45 in., maximum width of 3 ft. 11.64 in. and a maximum height of 4 ft., as well as a maximum volume of 123 ft.3
According to Daher, when configured with four seats, the TBM 960 can carry a maximum of 507 lb. of luggage “in storage areas,” a limitation that is reduced to 330 lb. in an airframe outfitted with six seats. Additionally, the maximum luggage volume is 35 ft.3
Avionics
Only one pilot is required and they operate this TBM airframe using Garmin’s G3000 integrated flight deck, the features of which include the HomeSafe emergency autoland system that is “based on Garmin’s Emergency Autoland system.”
HomeSafe is described by the airframe manufacturer as having the ability to “automatically bring the airplane to a runway touchdown if the pilot is incapacitated.”
Pilots control the TBM 960’s Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-66XT engine with a power lever that is an e-throttle which “us[es] a single forward position from takeoff to landing.”
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Variants
According to the EASA TCDS that includes the TBM700 N, the PT6E-66XT turboprop engine has maximum takeoff and continuous power limitations of 895 shp.
That engine powers a five-blade Hartzell Raptor propeller that is composite, “specifically designed to reduce overall weight” and “fully integrated into the propulsion system” and which enhances the TBM 960’s performance (“takeoff distance, climb and cruise speeds”).
Both the engine and propeller are connected to an Engine and Propeller Electronic Control System (EPECS) that is dual channel, with the EPECS enabling engine start-up to be “fully automated after a single-switch activation.”
The TBM 960’s weight limitations include maximum takeoff and landing weights of 7,615 lb. and 7,110 lb., respectively.
Although the maximum payload is 1,446 lb., that weight is reduced to 888 lb. when carrying full fuel.
Daher further notes that the TBM 960’s basic empty weight is 4,806 lb. on airplanes with the Prestige cabin, while the usable fuel capacity is 292 gal.
Mission and Performance
Performance limitations of the TBM700 N include a 271-kt. calibrated airspeed (KCAS) maximum operating speed (VMO) and 31,000-ft. maximum operating altitude.
The TBM 960 is further promoted as having the ability to climb to that maximum altitude in 18 min. 45 sec., while also being capable of maximum ranges of 1,440 nm at 326-kt. true airspeed (KTAS), 1,585 nm at 290 KTAS and 1,730 nm at 252 KTAS.
Those maximum range figures assume one pilot, a fuel reserve of 45 min., International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) conditions, operating at 31,000 ft. and with no wind, and with an airframe at the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) and carrying maximum fuel.
At 28,000 ft., the maximum cruise speed is 330 KTAS, while the “maximum cruise speed at long-range settings” is 252 KTAS.
When flying at the “recommended cruise setting of 308 kt.,” the TBM 960’s fuel consumption is promoted as being 57 gal./hr., which is “a 10% reduction compared to the maximum cruise setting.”
Assuming 50-ft. obstacle clearance, ISA conditions, MTOW and zero wind, the takeoff distance of the TBM 960 is 2,535 ft.
Based on the same criteria, this version of the TBM700 N is also capable of a 2,430-ft. landing distance.
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