Daher chose the Sun ’n Fun International Fly-in and Expo at Lakeland, Florida to unveil the 2019 variant of its TBM 910 turboprop.
Most importantly, it benefits from the application of Daher’s TBM e-copilot strategy, which improves operational safety. A new automatic icing detection system provides automated protection while keeping the pilot fully in the loop.
If the pilot doesn’t take action when icing is detected, the system activates deicing devices on the airframe, windscreen, propeller and engine particle separator. The pilot is simultaneously informed of the activation and advised to revert to manual control mode.
The latest TBM 910 also includes an all-glass Garmin G1000 NXi integrated flight deck suite, controlled via a keypad and joystick, and incorporating features from the high-end advanced G3000 flight deck of the TBM 930 and TBM 940. They include Surface Watch, which enhances pilot situational awareness in the airport environment; Baro VNAV, allowing approaches with vertical guidance when Wide Area Augmentation System navigation is unavailable; and visual approach assistance for use at non-controlled airports with vertical guidance.
Other TBM e-copilot features include an angle-of-attack indicator, Enhanced Safety Protection/Under Speed Protection (ESP/USP) and stick-shaker, while the standard Garmin Flight Stream 510 Bluetooth connects with mobile devices running Garmin Pilot or ForeFlight applications.
The cabin is also revised, with redesigned, electrically-heated seats, more thermal insulation for the cabin sidewalls, a new central shelf, an additional 115V electrical outlet, and USB port numbers boosted to six for passengers and three for the pilots.
Typical accommodating a single pilot and five passengers, the TBM 910 offers a quick change cabin configuration with optional toilet privacy compartment.