15 Facts About SOCATA TBM

SOCATA TBM is a family of high-performance single-engine turboprop business and utility light aircraft manufactured by Daher.

Shortly after launch, the SOCATA TBM 700 was a market success, which led to the production of multiple variants and improved models, often incorporating more powerful engines and new avionics.

Consequently, during June 1987, a joint venture, named TBM International, was established with the aim of completing development of the TBM 700 design and to perform the manufacture of the new aircraft; the ownership of the joint venture was divided between Mooney and SOCATA's parent company Aerospatiale.

Early on, customers were often faced with lengthy delays in acquiring spare parts and other services; negative feedback on the after sales support for the SOCATA TBM 700 has been attributed as the cause of a downturn in sales during the 1990s.

SOCATA TBM, recognising the critical importance of an effective support infrastructure, decided to invest heavily in improving worldwide support for the type; instead of being solely reliant upon third parties and partnership arrangements with other companies, the firm developed their own facilities.

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Early on, the SOCATA TBM 700 was available in several different configurations and models.

Around the same time, SOCATA TBM decided to re-design the interior of the aircraft, both in terms of the fittings and finish, along with the adoption of a new integrated environmental control system, to improve passenger comfort levels.

The outside appearance of the SOCATA TBM 850 has remained similar to that of the standard SOCATA TBM 700.

In 2014, an improved version of the aircraft, marketed as the SOCATA TBM 900 was introduced, featuring 26 individual modifications, including the adoption of in-house-designed winglets, a redesigned air intake and the fitting of a five-blade Hartzell-built propeller, with the aim of delivering improved aerodynamics and performance.

At the June 2019 Paris Air Show, Daher, Airbus and Safran teamed up to develop the SOCATA TBM-based EcoPulse demonstrator for a hybrid electric aircraft.

SOCATA TBM is a single-engined turboprop-powered low-wing monoplane, capable of seating a maximum of seven people.

The SOCATA TBM 700 is outfitted with a retractable tricycle landing gear arrangement, newer models feature stronger main landing gear wheels and tougher tyres.

Cockpit design of the SOCATA TBM strives to be user-friendly and as uncomplicated to operate as possible.

At cruise altitudes, the cabin of the SOCATA TBM 900 is noticeably quieter than its predecessors; the reduction is due to the adoption of a new five-bladed propeller and the reduction of vibration levels via greater isolation between the engine and the airframe.

The SOCATA TBM 900 saw the adoption of a new five-bladed propeller, specially optimised by Hartzell based upon airflow simulations conducted of the SOCATA TBM's forward section.