Daher Announces Big Number, Impressive TBM Anniversary In Latest Delivery

On Wednesday, Daher rolled out its 800th TBM, while also noting that this is the 25th year of the TBM, which entered production in 1991. We did the math, and the average number of TBMs produced over that period is 32 and change per year (2016 is far from over, and the company will certainly deliver many more before the end of December).

The average skews low because, unlike its subsequent models, that first TBM, the 700, wasn't an immediate hit. It was just hard for pilots to know what to make of it, because it was so different. I flew the 700 in Southern California during its launch year and, frankly, it pushed my envelope. Here was a six-seat, near-300-knot single with turboprop power that handled more like a King Air than a Saratoga. I was intrigued, but wasn't quite sure what to make of it. After a couple of flights, I figured it out, as did hundreds of paying customers. The TBM was a single-engine, single-pilot rocket ship that was built to air transport-quality standards. Put the jet fuel in and you're off, halfway across the continent, if you so choose. The idea took off. And, 25 years later, Daher has reached 800 sales.

Subsequent TBMs have only improved upon the model, with the latest, the TBM 930, hitting 330 knots and boasting the latest-generation of avionics, the Garmin G3000 suite. Daher continues to produce the TBM 900 version, which has Garmin G1000 avionics, but the majority of customers are reportedly opting for the TBM 930.

Resale value of these planes is sky-high, their safety record is top-notch, and the company's new delivery center and North American headquarters in Pompano Beach, Florida, send the message that Daher is here to stay.

Learn more at tbm.aero.