TBM 960

TBM 960

The TBM 960 is the newest and most modern type of the TBM aircraft family. It was introduced on the market in the spring of 2022. Since then, more than a hundred TBMs have been manufactured in this model, most of them delivered to customers in the USA.

Basic Technical Parameters:

Performance:

The TBM 960 is the fastest commercially manufactured single-engine turboprop aircraft in the world (330 KTAS) and offers a unique range even at maximum pay load. For example, the aircraft is able to fly non-stop from the Czech Republic to Ireland or Portugal, so obviously non-stop flights to Croatia or Greece are easily managed. Thanks to its high cruising speed, the travel times are significantly reduced and the life limits of the aircraft and its components are consumed significantly less. The high cruising speed also significantly reduces the influence of strong headwinds often encountered during flight.

Its excellent rate of climb (even at the maximum take-off weight) enables it to reach high flight levels (up to FL310) in an exceptionally short time, thus providing the most economical and fastest flight in its class. The time of climb to FL310 at MTOW is 18min 45s.

The aircraft can take off and land even on grass airfields. The unique engine performance combined with the possibility of braking with the help of a reversed propeller allows the aircraft to take off and land on very short runways even at maximum take-off weight.

Compared to previous models, the TBM 960 flies at a lower maximum propeller speed (1925 RPM), which has a positive impact not only on fuel consumption but especially on the aircraft's noise level. The TBM 960 can also offer a higher useful load.

With the TBM 960, direct operating costs per person transported and mile flown are equivalent to the costs of current piston-engine aircraft and are approximately one-third lower than a PC-12’s costs per person transported and mile flown.

Aircraft Equipment:

The TBM 960 represents a significant technological step forward. The aircraft and its new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-66XT engine offers 895 SHP and significantly extended maintenance intervals (basic maintenance interval is 300 hrs / year, Hot Section Inspection (HSI) at 2500 flight hours, engine overhaul (OH) at 5000 flight hours).

Its new Hartzell Raptor five-bladed adjustable propeller provides maximum thrust in all flight modes at a significantly reduced noise level. The engine and propeller management has been fully automated (EPECS system), which significantly simplifies the operation of the entire aircraft. Starting the engine means pressing a single button and full and effective engine and propeller control means moving a single lever in the cockpit.

The aircraft is certified for all-weather operations, including flights into known icing conditions (FIKI). The installed ESP (Electronic Stability and Protection) and USP (Under Speed Protection) systems ensure that the aircraft automatically returns to standard flight parameters if accidentally exceeded.

In the event of an emergency, the aircraft is equipped with a button for performing an emergency automatic landing without the pilot´s assistance (autoland / HOMESAFE button). This increases the safety of the flight to the maximum possible level.

The avionics consists of the Garmin G3000 Integrated Flightdeck, which is today´s most advanced and high-performance avionics system.

Four rails have been installed along the entire length of the cabin floor. The rails not only allow the pilots to move their seats back (so that they do not sit with bent knees during the whole flight), but they also allow the passenger´s cabin to be configured, thus enabling different arrangements of seats, cabinets and tables. If necessary, the seats, cabinets and tables can be removed and the entire cabin space can be used for transporting cargo (e.g. bicycles). As an option, the cabin can be separated by a curtain in the rear section and retrofitted with an on-board toilet. 

The windows in the passenger´s cabin are electronically dimmable. This will be appreciated by any passenger who has had to deal with poorly functioning and often very dirty window blinds on other types of airplanes.

A large cargo door provides passengers a comfortable entry and exit from the cabin. It also allows for the loading of larger cargo. A front door installed on the left side of the pilot´s cockpit serves the crew to entry and exit the cockpit comfortably and separately from passengers. Thanks to this solution, the standing aircraft will never overturn, drop, or damage its fuselage tail section, which can easily happen with airplanes that lack a front pilot door and when the crew is forced to enter the plane through a cabin door together with the passengers.

In addition to the rear cargo compartment, the aircraft is also equipped with a large front cargo compartment located between the engine and the cockpit. It can easily accommodate larger luggage or golf clubs.

The colour design of the exterior and the material and colour design of the interior can be customized
according to the customer's wishes.

Warranty and Maintenance:

The standard warranty is provided for a period of 5 years / 1000 flight hours. The price of the new aircraft also covers the cost of its regular maintenance for the same period (excluding consumables, i.e. parts which naturally show significant operational wear and tear (tyres, plates, belts, fluids etc.)). 

When deciding on the purchase of a TBM 960, the indisputable advantage is that its service and maintenance background for the Czech Republic and Slovakia consists of the top-notch work of Hradecka Letecka Servisni s.r.o. technicians at Hradec Králové airport (LKHK). The location is easily accessible not only for Czech and Slovak owners but also for owners from neighbouring countries.