Daher has delivered the 1,300th TBM family aircraft, marking the latest achievement for this high-performance, efficient turboprop-powered product line.

This announcement was made at AERO Friedrichshafen, one of the leading European gatherings for general aviation/business aviation, where Daher Aircraft is exhibiting its latest TBM 980 version with Garmin's G3000 Prime avionics and which incorporates further enhancements in passenger comfort.

The delivery achievement reflects sustained global demand for the TBM series among private owners, business aviation operators and in utility operations. The aircraft stands out for its ability to efficiently deliver high cruise performance while operating from shorter runways than many jets, offering a highly versatile transportation solution across a wide range of applications.

The TBM entered service in 1990 with the TBM 700 version. Stepped improvements to the TBM 700 series were followed by the higher performance TBM 850 in the mid-2000s. Daher acquired the product line in 2014, and the company has underscored its commitment to continual improvement by introducing six consecutive versions in the TBM 900 series, with the TBM 980 representing the latest evolution.

Nearly half of all TBMs delivered are from the Daher Aircraft TBM 900 series, underscoring this product line's position as the best-seller in TBM history.

Today, both the TBM 980 and the TBM 960, which was launched in 2022 with Garmin G3000 avionics, are offered by Daher Aircraft in its sales catalogue. These versions are equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada's advanced PT6E-66XT engine and Hartzell Propeller's five-blade composite propeller, which are linked to the dual-channel digital Engine and Propeller Electronic Control System (EPECS) and a fully digital e-throttle.

The milestone 1,300th TBM is a TBM 980 version, which was delivered to a U.S-based customer.

Overall, the combined TBM fleet has logged more than 2.78 million flight hours in operations around the world.

Daher is also highlighting its new flagship TBM 980 at AERO, marking the aircraft's first participation in a major European event.

The TBM 980 represents the latest evolution of the TBM family, integrating Garmin's third-generation G3000 Prime avionics with a new level of processing capability, system integration and pilot interface.

The touchscreen-controlled flight deck with three 14-inch edge-to-edge interactive displays ensures seamless control of flight functions, with significant improvements in screen and image quality. Pilot workload is reduced through customisable presets and a streamlined user interface.

“Customer feedback to the TBM 980 has been unanimous: the aircraft is living up to its 'Fly Differently' tagline by providing pilots with a next-generation flight deck that elevates operational capability, the ease of use and overall flight safety,” says Nicolas Chabbert, the CEO of Daher Aircraft.

The G3000 Prime architecture incorporates faster processing speeds, more responsive system performance and expanded data management capabilities, enabling seamless interaction between avionics, navigation, communication and aircraft systems. Its advanced human-machine interface is designed to reduce pilot workload while enhancing decision-making and operational safety.

Complementing the advanced avionics is the TBM 980's Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-66XT engine, which is equipped with the dual-channel digital engine and propeller electronic control system (EPECS) that has been in service on the TBM 960 version. This combination enables optimised power management, improved fuel efficiency and simplified engine operation.

Inside the cabin, the TBM 980 offers an enhanced passenger experience with refined ergonomics, including 100-watt USB-C ports for the charging of mobile devices, an upgraded passenger display with enroute flight data and a factory-installed terminal interface for Starlink Mini satellite-based internet connectivity.

Since the TBM 980's official launch on January 15 this year at Daher Aircraft's Tarbes, France headquarters, the company has delivered 13 of these aircraft to the US and Europe.

The TBM 980 is the sixth version in the TBM 900-series launched by Daher since it acquired the product line in 2014.