TBM 700A 1991-1999

 The A model is the only TBM with what we term the ‘small door’. The door is a clam shell arrangement and a narrow door, like what is seen on the Piper Mirage/Meridian. The A models are known for their light aircraft weight (Average Empty Weight from 4,000 to 4300 lbs.). The aircraft is powered by the -64 engine. The plane will fly at 290 knots at FL-260 ISA+10.

The PT6A-64 engine is a 3500 TBO engine provided that SB-14261 is complied with. This SB only affects A model aircraft and is an expensive bulletin to comply with if it has not been done. The -64 engine is a 1475 Horse Power Engine that is de-rated to 700 Horse Power. The issues with the A model are primarily cost of maintenance. Many of the aircraft in the field have a lot of deferred maintenance and if one wants to have a reliable aircraft, this deferred maintenance needs to be done.

The expense of doing this maintenance is often the hurdle and the reason that I advise buyers to step away from potential aircraft. There is a mandatory frame inspection required as well, this is the C2/C10 frame inspections that are mandatory at 3400 cycles or 4416 hours, the cost of doing this inspection is around $40,000. Most of the A models have air conditioning, if the plane does not have air-conditioning the cost of upgrade is in excess of $60K.

Air Conditioning is really an important creature comfort and does affect resale value if not on the plane. The avionics in the aircraft are split between EFIS-40 systems which have the KFC-325 auto pilot and the KI-256 with the KFC-275 system. Both autopilots are analog. Most of these aircraft have had avionics upgraded and a good portion have been upgraded to Garmin G-600s and dual GTN 750s.

The Oxygen system is provided by O2 generators and there are very few RVSM certified A model aircraft. If RVSM certified they are limited to 30,000 feet due to no drop down masks for passengers. The Max Ramp Weight of the A model is 6614.

The A model with a high level of maintenance compliance sells for $1,000,000 to $1.4M, depending a lot on the time remaining on the engine and the avionics installed.

TBM 700B 2000-2002

The B model is the first year of the TBM that has the cargo door. Unlike the A model, nearly all the B models have Air Conditioning, and they all have EFIS-40 Systems. All of the B models have supplementary oxygen for the cabin, and from SN-163 forward have Altimetric valves to control the masks and Shadin ETM engine recorders.

The Shadin ETM is a very important instrument, it allows the engine parameters to be recorded and this information is valuable when assessing the condition of the engine and the previous operators handling of the engine. The Achilles heel of the B model is the full fuel payload. The aircraft is heavier than the A model with the same Max Ramp Weight of 6614 lbs. This means that an average B model has a full fuel payload of under 300 lbs.

For shorter flights and the lighter payloads, the B model will do the work, the B model has the PT6A-64 engine, 3500 hour TBO. There are no B models that are affected by SB-14261.

The B model sells for between $1.3M to $1.5M with a high level of maintenance compliance. The higher end B models have upgraded panels and are lower time aircraft with recent paint and interior upgrades.

TBM 700C2 2003-2005

The C2 is the first high gross TBM, the Maximum weight was increased to 7430 lbs., by adding about 200 lbs. of structure to the B model. The stall speed increased with the weight and as a result the seats needed to be changed to become 2.5G seats. This plane has a full fuel payload of around 850-900 lbs. depending on configuration.

All of the C2’s have an Altimetric valve, all have supplementary oxygen, and all are equipped with SHADIN ETM’s. From Serial Number 305 and later, the C2 has RVSM capability. The C2 has proven to be a work horse with excellent dispatch reliability. The weight and balance envelope on the aircraft is very liberal, and does not present too many challenges.

Cruise Speed at FL-260 is 285 knots burning 52 gallons per hour. All of the C2 aircraft at a minimum have Garmin 530 radios and the KFC-325 auto pilot, with the EFIS-40 PFD and HSI with many in the fleet having been upgraded to the G-600 GTN 750 combo.

The C2 sells for a $1.5M to $1.8M with a high level of maintenance compliance and depending upon installed avionics.

Also known as TBM 850 Legacy The TBM-850L is equipped with the -66D engine, this is an 1825 Thermo Dynamic Horse Power engine that is de-rated to 850 horse power. This is the first single-cell metal alloy PT-6 engine manufactured by Pratt and Whitney, the engine has a TBO of 3500 hours.

The aircraft has the same payload as the C2, but is a better performer in terms of climb performance and cruise speed. The 850 will climb to FL260 in 40 miles, whereas the C2 takes 60 miles. The 850 also has better engine margins due to the single cell metal configuration on the Compressor Turbine, allowing for greater leniency with temperatures.

The airplane will cruise at 315 knots at FL260 and 305 knots at FL310. In terms of resale the TBM-850L enjoys a strong market with buoyant pricing. The TBM-850L sells for between $1.8M and $2.0M. Like the C2, a good portion of the fleet has had the avionics upgraded to a Garmin G-600 and two Garmin GTN 750’s touchscreens. 

TBM 850 2005-2006

TBM 850 G-1000

2008-2014

The G-1000 addition to the plane has proven to be very popular, the aircraft has been selling well in pre-owned markets. There have been very few in service issues with the plane.

Payload on the 850G is slightly higher than the 850L due to some lighter avionics package.

In 2012 with serial number 610 and above, Daher introduced the Elite model. This variation allowed for the seats to be placed in different configurations, including having all seats facing forward. Additionally, the Elite version included an electronic backup instrument replacing the analog backup instruments and the Garmin GR-56 Satellite phone.

The selling price of the G-1000 aircraft ranges from $2.2M to $2.8M 

TBM 900 2014-2016

The TBM 900 increased available horsepower from the 850 available only in cruise for the TBM 850, to having the 850 horsepower available also for take off. They increased the max cruise speed from 320 knots to 330 knots. There were also major improvements in the interior.

The TBM 900 takes advantage of new technologies, chief among these is computational fluid dynamics (CFD). In reworking the 900, Daher-Socata engineers made extensive use of CFD in order to minimize drag. After analysis of the airframe, several major areas of inefficiency were identified. The cowling, now in carbon fiber, was extensively redesigned to cut drag and improve cooling, with a big inlet below the prop. The wings, while not redesigned, were given winglets. They kept the span wise flow along the wing from spilling over, adding efficiency by decreasing drag. They also increased the effective wingspan of the airplane, increasing lift. The winglets improved the handling of the ailerons, with smoother roll response and greater control feel. The throttle control was also changed with a power control unit that combines thrust, propeller and condition levers by using an all-mechanical mixer.

TBM 900’s came equipped with a new 5 bladed Hartzell propeller as standard equipment and winglets to improve low speed handling. The pilot door also became standard equipment.

Selling prices of used TBM 900s range from $3.0-$3.4M depending upon total hours and maintenance status and history. 

TBM 930 2016-2019

The TBM 930 upgraded the avionics to the new Garmin G-3000 touch screens. Additionally, Daher added several safety features including:

…EDM (Emergency Decent Mode) if pilot has had no interaction with avionics over a designated amount of time, autopilot will turn 90 degrees off current heading, increase speed to VNE of 266 knots, descend to 15,000 feet and level off. …

…USP (Under speed) Aircraft will automatically push nose over to increase speed before reaching stall speed.

…ESP (Enhanced Safety Protection)Aircraft will level itself if bank angle reaches more than 45 degrees.

A used TBM 930 sells for $3.4M-$3.7M 

TBM 910 2017 - Present

With the introduction of the TBM 910, Daher upgraded the G-1000 avionics to the new Garmin G-1000 NXI (next generation).

It includes all the safety features of the TBM 930.

A new TBM 910 retails for $4.5M 

TBM 940 2019-2022

Daher added auto throttles and automatic ice detection to the TBM 930 platform.

Additionally in 2020 Daher added the Home Safe Autoland system. 

A pre-owned TBM 940 ranges from $4.4M-$4.6M depending upon total number of hours and Home Safe being installed.

TBM 960 2022- Present 

Daher changed the engine to a fully FADEC engine, the PT6E-66XT, TBO increased to 5,000 hours. Home Safe and automatic ice detection became standard equipment. The “Raptor” propeller was added to lower weight and increase take off, landing, and cruise speeds. Electronic dimmeable windows for the passengers are now installed. Garmin GWX 8000 radar is onboard for lightning and hail prediction. Also included is the Garmin GDL 60 for automatic database uploads and interconnection with mobile devices.

A 2025 TBM 960 typically equipped will retail for $5.5M