![One-G Simulation has launcheds its TBM 900 sim—the Tarbes 9.00— created through hands-on actual aircraft demonstration and application. [Credit: One-G Simulation]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/one-G-Tarbes-9-00-Pilot-scaled.jpg)
When it comes to designing and building an aviation simulation device, research in the cockpit of an actual aircraft can greatly improve fidelity, according to Xylon Saltzman, founder and CEO of One-G Simulation.
The Seattle-area manufacturer has just launched the One-G Tarbes 9.00, a full-scale, high-fidelity flight training device representing the Daher TMB 900 with a Garmin G1000 panel.
One-G Simulation has built TBM 700 and TBM 800 simulators, and the 900 was the next logical step, Saltzman said.
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“We were approached by an existing customer executive flight to build a custom 900 series simulator,” Saltzman said. “…Each generation has incorporated lessons from the actual operational use of power devices as well as the aircraft.”
What makes the development of this model a little different is that the team at One-G had access to an actual aircraft that was put through its paces in flight or on the ground connected to a power source, so the engineers literally had hands on for the development. They conducted structured in-aircraft flight testing to obtain real-world performance characteristics, control response, and systems behavior. The company said this data drives the simulator’s flight model and avionics fidelity.
The company noted this aircraft-based R&D methodology represents a significant evolution in Oone-G’s development process and will continue to drive ongoing software refinement as additional flight test data is collected and integrated.
“What’s substantially different about the Tarbes from the previous models is really that every cockpit dimension—the ergonomics, avionics layout, the flight characteristics—are derived from actual aircraft and from flying in the aircraft,” Saltzman said. “We’re using the Tarbes as an R&D platform to get empirical data and then directly apply that to the software as well as the hardware.”
Previous One-G units relied on a combination of data from a customer, the aircraft manufacturer, and published resource materials.
“And now we’re getting it from a very reliable source,” he said.
The high-performance unit was commissioned by Executive Flight Training, a recognized leader in advanced pilot training. Building on its successful integration of earlier One-G Tarbes platforms, Executive Flight Training continues to invest in aircraft-specific simulation as a cornerstone of its training curriculum.
“The Tarbes 9.00 gives us a true TBM 900 training platform,” said Douglas Carmody, CEO of Executive Flight Training. “The accuracy of the cockpit layout, control loading, and avionics allows our instructors to deliver realistic, scenario-based training that closely mirrors the aircraft. That level of specificity helps pilots build confidence and competence before they ever leave the ground.”
While One-G drew upon its previous experience building the TBM 700 and 800 devices, it did run into a bit of a challenge with the throttle quadrant.
“Daher went to a single power lever, which is an H-pattern gated mechanism,” Saltzman said. “It controls power as well as prop rpm in a single mechanical lever. From a mechanical standpoint, it was very complicated to emulate, and so it took many hours of development passes to get that right and get the feel of that correct.”
The turnaround time from order to delivery of the units is approximately three to four months, a bit longer for customization requests.
About the Tarbes 9.00 Sim
The Tarbes 9.00 is a full-scale training device featuring a model-specific TBM 900 flight deck with dual pilot stations. The device features dynamic force-feedback control loading and rudder pedals, electrically actuated elevator trim, a faithful overhead switch panel, and a comprehensive avionics suite including dual 1G-DU1040 PFD emulators and a 1G-DU1500 MFD emulator.
The level of fidelity provides a platform useful for both initial and recurrent training. Pilots are able to practice normal flight scenarios and systems management along with the abnormal and emergency procedures in high-workload scenarios in a controlled setting that closely mirrors actual TBM 900 operations.
