DAHER-SOCATA Showcases its New TBM 900 Fast and Eco-efficient Turboprop Aircraft at AirVenture Oshkosh 2014
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA, July 28, 2014 – The world’s newest and fastest certified single-engine turboprop aircraft is taking center stage at this week’s AirVenture Oshkosh gathering as DAHER-SOCATA’s TBM 900 makes its first-ever appearance at the event.
Retaining the proven 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.
Two TBM 900 are exhibited at AirVenture Oshkosh. One of them is presented today at a conference on Boeing Plaza – the venue’s main showcase area. This aircraft is at the event courtesy of its owner, Dr. Ian Blair Fries – a highly experienced pilot and instructor – who also is co-chairman of the AOPA Board of Aviation Medical Advisors and a member of the Flying Musicians Association.
The same TBM 900 is scheduled to participate in the AirVenture’s flying program, with DAHER-SOCATA’s demonstration pilot at the controls.
“We thank the EAA for the honor of showing our new TBM 900 today at Boeing Plaza, where so many notable aircraft and spectacular projects have been presented,” says Stephane Mayer, president and CEO of the DAHER-SOCATA aerospace and defense sector of the DAHER group. “This gives us the opportunity to highlight the TBM 900 as the flagship of our aerospace activities, and it comes at a time we want to further develop our presence in North America.”
AirVenture Oshkosh is the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual convention and fly-in, which brings together more than 500,000 aviation enthusiasts each summer at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The 2014 event is being held from July 28 to August 3.
“The TBM 900’s presentation today 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,” explains Nicolas Chabbert, the senior vice president of DAHER-SOCATA’s Airplane Business Unit. “We want to share our passion for aviation with the AirVenture crowd 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,” he concludes.
The TBM 900’s top cruise speed is 330 KTAS at 28,000 ft., and the maximum range is extended to 1,730 naut. mi. as a result of the fuel consumption reduction to 37 U.S. 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 only four months ago, the TBM 900 has attracted significant attention among pilots, owners and operators. As of July 15, a total of 26 TBM 900s have been delivered to customers from the 48 ordered for delivery this year. Purchase intentions have already been registered for 2015.