SOCATA TBM

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SOCATA_TBM

The SOCATA TBM 700 (also marketed as the TBM 850, Daher TBM 900, Daher TBM 910
and Daher TBM 930) is a high performance single-engine turboprop light business
and utility aircraft manufactured by Daher. It was originally collaboratively
developed between the American Mooney Airplane Company and French light aircraft
manufacturer SOCATA.

The design of the TBM family originates from the Mooney 301, a comparatively
low-powered and smaller prototype Mooney developed in the early 1980s. Following
Mooney's acquisition by French owners, Mooney and SOCATA held a series of
in-depth discussions on the potential for co-developing a new enlarged turboprop
design derived from the earlier 301; these resulted in the formation of a joint
venture for the purpose of developing and manufacturing the envisioned aircraft,
which was designated as the TBM 700. From the onset, emphasis was placed upon
the design's speed, altitude, and reliability. Upon its entry onto the market in
1990, it held the distinction of being the first high-performance single-engine
passenger/cargo aircraft to enter production.

Shortly after launch, the TBM 700 was a market success, which quickly led to the
production of multiple variants and improved models, often incorporating more
powerful engines and new avionics, amongst other features. The TBM 850 is the
production name assigned to the TBM 700N, an improved version of the aircraft
powered by a single Pratt & Whitney PT6A-66D. In March 2014, an aerodynamically
refined version of the TBM 700N, marketed as the TBM 900, was made available.

Origins

In the early 1980s, the Mooney Airplane Company of Kerrville, Texas, designed a
six-seat pressurised light aircraft, powered by a single 360 hp (268 kW) piston
engine, which they designated the Mooney 301. On 7 April 1983, the prototype 301
conducted its maiden flight. During 1985, the Mooney Aircraft Company was
acquired by new French owners, who promptly took an interest in the further
development of the fledgling 301. Coinciding with the company's acquisition,
French light aircraft manufacturer SOCATA, who had identified a vacant market
position for a purpose-built optimised single-engine aircraft capable of fast
personal transport and light cargo duties, identified the piston-powered 301 as
a potential starting point to satisfy this niche.

Accordingly, talks soon commenced between Mooney and SOCATA on the subject of
producing a turboprop-powered derivative of the 301. The product that emerged
from these discussions was a new design, referred to as the TBM 700, which was
considerably heavier than the original 301 while provisioned with more than
twice the available power. The prefix of the designation, TBM, originated from
the initials "TB", which stands for Tarbes, the French city in which SOCATA is
located, while the "M" stands for Mooney. At the time of its conception, while
several aviation companies had studied or were otherwise considering the
development of such an aircraft, the envisioned TBM 700 was the first
high-performance single-engine passenger/cargo aircraft to enter production.
From the onset, key performance criteria were established for the design,
demanding a high level of reliability while also being capable of an unequalled
speed/altitude combination amongst the TBM 700 other single-engined peers.


Role
Executive transport and civil utility

National origin
France

Manufacturer
Daher

First flight
14 July 1988

Introduction
1990

Status
In production

Primary users
French Army
French Air Force

Produced
1988–present

Number built
900 (As of July 2018)

Unit cost

TBM910: US$3.99M, TBM930: US$4.19M (2017)

Since its introduction, around 30 have served in commercial aviation and in
October 2018, 17 were still used for the role in 10 companies, mostly in the
USA, among a global fleet of 900. In 2017, 57 units were shipped. Daher claims
direct operating costs are $2.48 per nautical mile. The aircraft is used by both
private individuals, corporations and charter and hire companies.

Military operators

FranceFrench Air Force – 15 in service (2016).
French Army Light Aviation (ALAT) – 8 in service (2016)

Specifications (TBM 900)

General characteristics
Crew: one or two pilots
Capacity: four to six occupants, including pilots
Payload: 636 kg (1,403 lb) (max)
Length: 10.736 m (35.22 ft)
Wingspan: 12.833 m (42.10 ft)
Height: 4.355 m (14.29 ft)
Wing area: 18 m² (193.75 sq ft)
Empty weight: 2,097 kg (4,629 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 3,353 kg (7,394 lb)
Usable fuel: 291 US gal. / 1,100 liters
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66D turboprop, 634 kW (850 hp)

Performance
Maximum speed: 611 km/h (330 knots) FL280
Cruise speed: 467 km/h (252 knots) Long Range Cruise FL310
Range: 3,304 km (1,730 nmi) Long Range Cruise FL310
Service ceiling: 9,450 m (31,000 ft)
Fuel consumption: 208 l/h (55.0 USG/h), 164 kg/h at 320 kn (590 km/h) TAS,
FL310, normal cruise, 6300 lbs (2858 kg)
Time-to climb to 31,000 ft.: 18 min. 45 sec





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