Daher's aircraft division has unveiled its Model Year 2024 version of the TBM 960 fast and efficient turboprop-powered aircraft. The aircraft incorporates updates for enhanced pilot awareness and lower workload while sporting an updated paint scheme in silver, matt blue and black highlights.

The TBM 960's digital TBM e-copilot functionality has been further evolved to include features that range from facilitated pre-flight preparation to enhanced peace of mind protection with the HomeSafe emergency autoland system.

"The digitally controlled TBM 960 is the fastest-selling version of all the members in our TBM aircraft family, and it continues as a market reference in terms of safety and efficiency," says SVP Nicolas Chabbert. "This is underscored by our backlog that exceeds two years of production, with some 120 TBM 960s delivered to date."

Among the enhancements in the 2024 version are a pilot inactivity detection function for HomeSafe, which automatically activates after 30 minutes if there is no pilot interaction with the aircraft systems, bringing the aircraft to a runway touchdown if the pilot becomes incapacitated.

Another is the graphical weight and balance presentation on the cockpit's multifunction display. Additionally, the aircraft's taxi phase is improved with 3D SafeTaxi, which depicts the airport environment to assist the pilot in ground manoeuvres and airport identification, along with a runway occupancy awareness function.

Alert messages aimed at increasing pilot awareness include the Yaw Damper engagement and Check Gear notification, as well as Propeller Abort if the propeller is not in the correct configuration. Also, stabilised approach monitoring is strengthened by visual effects on the primary flight display.

On the exterior is a highly visible new feature, the LED nose gear landing light. This high-intensity LED light, with a maximum of 136,295 candela (candlepower), is 2.5 times brighter than previous-generation taxi lights and is particularly useful when taxiing on a dark airfield.