Acquiring the Right Airplane Does Not Preclude Dreaming

Aircraft are not lifelong companions so pilots can play the field.

Jonathan Welsh

Monday, September 11, 2023 at 03:51 PM ET

Verified

Many piston pilots dream about upgrading to turboprops like the TBM. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The author expresses a growing admiration for Daher TBM turboprop singles, appreciating their luxury, performance, and aesthetics, despite being content with his current Commander 114B, "Annie."
His family shares this appreciation, recognizing the TBM's practical advantages like its speed, pressurized cabin, and comfort for potentially saving time on trips.
While the TBM remains a "fantasy" due to budget, its appeal has inspired the author to pursue instrument training, preparing for a potential future with more complex and high-performance aircraft.
Ultimately, the author acknowledges that "Annie" remains perfectly suited for his family's current needs, which involve frequent trips to small, short-runway airports for relatively short distances.

See a mistake? Contact us.

I am not one to covet my neighbor’s aircraft, even the really cool ones. After all, I am in a happy relationship with Annie, our Commander 114B, and I expect it to last a long time. Lately, though, I have admitted to having a thing for Daher’s series of TBM turboprop singles.

I trace this interest to a fly-in about 10 years ago that included a display of new aircraft, the highlight of which was a TBM. The airplane’s doors were open, but the interior was roped off. That did not matter as I could easily imagine how plush and comfortable that cabin was. The smell of leather and new carpeting wafted. This was my first meeting with a brand-new airplane and it made an impression.