From Pioneering Turboprop to Timeless Performer: The TBM 700’s Lasting Legacy

High-tech machine evolves from unlikely Mooney prototype to fastest turboprop on the ramp.

Jonathan Welsh

Monday, August 03, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

TBM 700 in flight [Credit: Jessica Ambats]

Key Takeaways:

The TBM series, originating from the TBM 700, is a highly successful and desirable line of fast turboprop singles, celebrated for its class-leading speed, attractive design, and robust performance.
Its development in the 1980s resulted from a Franco-American partnership, navigating economic challenges that led to the failure of many other promising turboprop projects and helping to revitalize general aviation.
While providing superior efficiency and satisfaction, operating a TBM demands a high level of pilot commitment, including frequent flying and intensive training, to manage its advanced systems and high speeds effectively.

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The open cabin door and airstair beckoned. On a cloudless July morning in 2014, with temperatures rising steadily through the 80s, this inviting sight drew me and my two sons, aged 10 and 7, from the comfortable shade of a hangar and onto the sun-drenched ramp for a closer look.

We had arrived early to a major fly-in at Plymouth Municipal Airport (KPYM) in Massachusetts with plans to check out the new aircraft on display ahead of the crowd.