Daher has introduced the TBM 980, the latest version of its TBM aircraft family, featuring Garmin’s third-generation G3000 Prime avionics and cabin enhancements.
The TBM 980 was unveiled at Daher Aircraft’s TBM production facility in Tarbes, France, at an event attended by customers, partners, officials and company employees.
“Our TBM 980’s motto, ‘Fly Differently,’ is more than just a slogan, because this aircraft redefines the way that pilots – and their passengers – want to fly,” said Nicolas Chabbert, CEO of Daher Aircraft. “The aircraft is more intuitive and easier to operate. Its touchscreen-controlled flight deck truly revolutionises the interface between pilots and the avionics, while the passenger experience is further elevated in the six-seat cabin with such features as the capability to install a Starlink Mini terminal for satellite-based internet connectivity, along with 100W USB-C ports for the charging of mobile devices, as well as an upgraded passenger display with en-route flight data.”
Chabbert said airworthiness certification has been issued by EASA, along with validation by the US FAA, enabling Daher to begin TBM 980 deliveries this month.
“The TBM 980 is the sixth aircraft launched by Daher in the TBM 900-series since we acquired the TBM product line in 2014,” said Didier Kayat, Daher chairman and CEO. “This underscores our firm commitment to the airplane family’s evolution through the continual application of innovation, and with our close working relationship with key suppliers.”
The Garmin 3000 Prime avionics suite is designed to improve cockpit ergonomics. There are three 14in edge-to-edge touchscreen displays, and improvements have been made to screen and image quality. Daher said pilot workload is reduced through customisable presets and a streamlined user interface. The app-based interface uses shortcuts that enable pilots to quickly access essential functions (radios, transponder, flight plan, procedures, etc.) without navigating through multiple menus. The checklist button is replaced with a four-position joystick for up/down scrolling, check and quick access.
In terms of safety, the TBM 980 features Daher Aircraft’s e-copilot technologies, including advanced weather detection, icing protection, flight envelope monitoring and emergency descent mode, along with the HomeSafe emergency autoland functionality. The TBM 980 is also equipped with Garmin’s GWX 8000 all-digital radar. Daher Aircraft said that StormOptix technology automatically adjusts radar settings for more accurate 3D profiling of storm cells.
Like Daher’s best-selling TBM 960 version, the TBM 980 features Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6E-66XT intelligent turboprop engine and five-blade Hartzell composite propeller – both controlled by a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. The TBM 980 is approved for full ‘PRIST-free’ operations, eliminating the need for anti-icing additives in the fuel system.
Connectivity is possible with a Starlink Mini satellite internet terminal using the factory-installed mounting in the cockpit and a dedicated 100W USB-C power port, as well as a suite of subscription-based digital services. These include Garmin PlaneSync (for remote aircraft activation, status monitoring and automated database updates using the Me & My TBM application), the Garmin Pilot and ForeFlight apps, Jeppesen aviation databases, and SiriusXM weather and audio services.
