The TBM 980, the sixth iteration of the luxury high-performance single from France, features a new panel and some creature comforts to keep pilot and passengers better connected. The aircraft was unveiled for a worldwide web audience at Daher’s Tarbes plant on Thursday, and the big news is the Garmin 3000 PRIME avionics suite, with its wall-to-wall 14-inch touchscreens that feature a simplified architecture that eliminates scrolling through menus to find the most-used functions. Even the checklists get their own joystick. The system has all the features, including Autoland, and retains the PT6E-66XT engine that scoots it along at a max cruise of 330 knots.
“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,” said CEO Didier Kayat. For passengers, there are charging terminals at each position along with displays giving flight progress and other information. The plane is prewired for a Starlink Mini system. It’s already certified by EASA and the FAA, and deliveries are starting this month.
Its pretty. Another if I win the lottery that I don’t play item.
Two lottery wins: one to buy it, the other to maintain and operate it.
The Arkansas Powerball winner can afford to do both, many times over.