FLYING’s First Look: Daher TBM 960

Subtle changes now should reap large benefits for this turboprop’s pilots over the long term.

Monday, April 11, 2022 at 01:41 PM ET

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Editor-in-chief Julie Boatman took a satisfying first flight in the Daher TBM 960, the latest in the TBM lineage. [Photo: Julie Boatman]

Key Takeaways:

The TBM 960's primary upgrade is an automated engine start, powered by a new Pratt & Whitney PT6E-66XT engine that features digital data capture and an extended 5,000-hour Time Between Overhaul (TBO).
While other changes from the TBM 940 are subtle, the 960 integrates various existing capabilities, presenting a refined and valuable package for pilots and owners.
The author's test flight highlighted the aircraft's smooth performance and harmonious feel, with initial deliveries expected soon following imminent FAA acceptance.

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The most obvious change lies in the automated engine start—and we sequenced through that procedure first.

After that, the differences between the 960 and its predecessor, the 940, are subtle ones, integrations of various elements and capabilities that the series collected. They now come together in a package that should prove its worth to pilots and owners.