Daher TBM 980 Flight Demo

Since it first debuted in early 2026, Daher has enjoyed brisk sales with its flagship TBM 980 turboprop single, and by October 2026, the company had delivered more than 30 of model. The airplane is powered by the Pratt & Whitney PT6E-66XT turboprop engine with a five-blade Hartzell composite propeller. The 980 is equipped with HomeSafe, which is Daher’s version of Garmin Autoland for the TBM series, along with Garmin’s G3000 Prime avionics. We spent some quality time with the TBM 980, flying with Daher’s demo pilot, Wayman Luy, from the walkaround to the postflight.

2026 Daher TBM 980Price: ~$6 million for 2027 positionDimensions & SpecificationsPowerplant Pratt & Whitney PT6E-66XT, maximum takeoff and continuous power895 shp at 1,925 rpmRecommended TBO5,000 hrPropellerHartzell Raptor five-blade, composite, 91 in dia.Length35.22 ftHeight14.29 ftWingspan42.1 ftWing area193.75 sq ftWing loading39.3 lb/sq ftPower loading8.5 lb/hpSeats6Cabin length13.29 ftCabin width3.97 ftCabin height4 ftStandard empty weight4,784 lbMaximum landing weight7,110 lbUseful load2,831 lbPayload with full fuel888 lbMaximum ramp weight7,430 lb to 7,650 lb (depending on CG position)Maximum takeoff weight7,394 lb to 7,615 lb (depending on CG position)Zero fuel weight, std6,252 lbFuel capacity, std301 gal (292 gal usable)Baggage capacity (forward locker)118 lbPerformance MetricsTakeoff distance over a 50-ft obstacle2,535 ftRate of climb, sea level4,000 fpmMax level speed, 28,000 ft;330 ktCruise speed/endurance w/45-min rsv, std fuel, ISA,

fuel consumption@ maximum cruise (MXCR) power 326 kt/ 1,440 nm at 31,000 ft at 58.3 gph@ best economy (LRCR) power 252 kt/ 1,730 nm at 31,000 ft at 36.9 gphMax operating altitude31,000 ftLanding distance over a 50-ft obstacle2,430 ftOperating AirspeedsVX (best angle of climb)100 KIASVY (best rate of climb)124 KIASVA (design maneuvering)158 KIASVFE (max flap extended, takeoff configuration)178 KIASVLE (max gear extended)178 KIASVLO (max gear operating)Extend 178 KIASRetract 150 KIASVMO (max operating)266 KIASVR (rotation, MTOW)90 KIASVS1 (stall, clean)81 KIASVSO (stall, in landing configuration)65 KIASAll specifications and performance metrics are based on manufacturer’s data.YMMV The post Daher TBM 980 Flight Demo appeared first on AvBrief.com.