Daher Socata

France's Daher produces the TBM, the fastest production single-engine turboprop aircraft in the world. The current TBM 960 reaches 611 km/h (375 mph)—the speed of a light jet with the fuel economy of a turboprop. It has a range of approximately 3,200 km (1,950 mi), seats six, and features airliner-level automation, including autothrottle, automatic depressurization descent, and Autoland unmanned landing. More than 1,200 TBM aircraft have been delivered since 1990.

A new TBM 960 costs around $4.8 million, new TBM 940s on the used market cost $3.5–4.2 million, and early TBM 850s can be found for $2–2.5 million. Operation is the main selling point: fuel consumption is only ~220 l/hour versus 400+ for a comparable jet, with direct fuel consumption of around $700–900 per hour. On a route of up to 1,500 km, the TBM is only 15–20 minutes slower than a light jet.

Both are single-engine turboprops with a PT6, but their philosophies differ. The TBM 960 is all about speed: 611 km/h versus ~500 km/h for the PC-12, but it offers a more compact cabin and six seats. The PC-12 NGX is all about capacity and versatility: 8-9 passengers, a cargo door, and operation from unpaved runways. Families or business travelers with two-three passengers and fast routes prefer the TBM, while groups prefer the Pilatus.

Daher is a French company; the TBM turboprop line (a descendant of the Socata) has been in production since 1988. During this time, more than 1,200 TBM aircraft have been built—they are the fastest production single-engine turboprops in the world, operated primarily in the US and Europe.

The Daher network is concentrated in Europe and the United States; service within the region is provided through authorized centers in Western Europe. The Pratt & Whitney PT6E engine is covered by P&WC's global program, simplifying support beyond the core network.

The factory warranty is typically 5 years or 1,000 hours for the airframe, and the PT6E engine is covered by the Pratt & Whitney program. The Me & My TBM program provides remote aircraft condition monitoring and predictive maintenance at fixed intervals.

The TBM 960 is delivered approximately 12–18 months from order date. Faster delivery is available from a dealer's inventory slot or from the active TBM 940/910/850 secondary market.

A new TBM 960 costs around $4.8 million, fresh TBM 940s on the used market cost $3.5–4.2 million, and early TBM 850s can be found for $2–2.5 million. Operation is the main argument: consumption is half that of a comparable jet.

The current flagship is the TBM 960: 611 km/h, a range of ~3,200 km, six seats, and airliner-level automatics with Autoland landing. Ideal for high-speed personal flights of 1,000–2,500 km; for those requiring 8–9-seat capacity, the Pilatus PC-12 is closer.

We select a TBM based on your route and budget, check your flight history and engine life, organize inspections, registration, and commissioning. TBMs are primarily owned and rarely chartered; for one-off flights, we offer turboprop-class alternatives.