North Carolina Businessman Receives The Milestone Airplane

The latest member in Daher's very fast turboprop product line ... the TBM 900 ... has reached the century mark with the 100th aircraft delivery to date.

The milestone TBM 900 was received by U.S. customer Dale Schneider, a North Carolina businessman who is an active airplane and helicopter pilot, having logged more than 3,000 flight hours. Schneider’s first aircraft was a TBM 700C2 version, which he purchased in 2006 and has flown some 1,000 hours.
 
“This very symbolic delivery confirms that our TBM 900 not only is the fastest single turboprop, but also the fastest-selling TBM ever – as the program was officially unveiled only 20 months ago in March 2014," commented Nicolas Chabbert, the Senior Vice President of Daher’s Airplane Business Unit. “We thank Dale Schneider for his confidence, and wish him the best for his next 1,000 TBM flight hours – and beyond.”
 
Chabbert said the TBM 900’s impressive sales success builds on a development program of more than three years, with improvements that make it the ultimate very fast turboprop aircraft. “Further contributing to the TBM 900’s value is the dedication of the teams at Daher and its partners to customer satisfaction,” he added.
 
The TBM 900’s top cruise speed is increased to 330 KTAS at 28,000 ft., and its maximum range is extended to 1,730 nautical miles with five adult passengers as a result of the fuel consumption reduction to 37 U.S. gallons per hour.
 
Daher integrated 26 modifications to the TBM 900, improving efficiency and delivering superior performance without increasing fuel consumption or engine power. They include airframe aerodynamic optimization through the addition of winglets, along with the incorporation of a vertical tailfin strake and a new tail cone; the use of a five-blade composite propeller and redesigned spinner; and a completely revamped electrical system.
 
Passenger comfort also is enhanced, along with the operational environment for pilots. Among the features is an improved human-machine interface with an ergonomic control yoke incorporating new functions; a restyled cockpit panel for increased visibility and interaction with secondary system controls; as well as the revised cockpit center pedestal with a single-control throttle operation, associated with a new torque limiter that enables the use of 850 hp. Engine power at takeoff.
 
As the owner of the milestone 100th TBM 900, Schneider selected the new aircraft based on his experience with the TBM 700C2. “I purchased the pre-owned TBM 700C2 because it was fast,” he said. “I then joined the TBM Owners and Pilot Association (TBMOPA) and enjoyed becoming a part of the TBM flying community. So when the time came to replace my airplane, buying a brand new TBM 900 was the obvious choice.”
 
Schneider received his TBM 900 at Daher’s production facility in Tarbes, France and participated in the aircraft’s ferry flight from Europe to the U.S.

(Image provided with Daher news release)

FMI: www.tbm.aero