 Daher-Socata TBM 900 |
With an improving economy and fuel prices headed down, the turbine market is heating up. Early in 2014, Daher-Socata announced the introduction of the new TBM 900, which combines aerodynamic refinement with raw power to produce the fastest production single-engine turboprop on the market. Pilatus hit the ball out of the park by rolling out a prototype of their new $8.9 million PC-24 utility jet for customers and employees only 14 months after it was first announced in May 2013. Certification isn’t expected until 2017, but it’s clear that Pilatus is serious about entering the turbofan market. Cessna recently announced two new models—the Latitude and Longitude—to compete at the high end of the market. They’ve certified the new CJ3+, and they continue to deliver new Mustangs and M2s at the smaller end of their jet lineup. Late last year, Eclipse Aerospace started delivering the new, refined EA-550 jet. And there are a few companies in the on-deck circle with new products just about ready to go. Honda has been showing off the first customer airplane of the new HA-420 with the first deliveries expected later this year. In Bend, Ore., Epic Aircraft has been making serious progress toward certifying their new LT-1000 single-engine turboprop. So, whether you need more capability or you’re stepping up to your first turbine, there are a lot of choices for anyone with a mission and the means to burn Jet A.
UTILITY-CLASS, FIXED-GEAR SINGLES
