The TBM 960 is basically what happens when French engineers decide to make the fastest single-engine turboprop possible. And they succeeded.
Speed Numbers
330 knots max cruise. That’s jet-like speed from a turboprop. Most piston twins dream of 200 knots. The TBM does 330.
FL310 altitude capability. Get above most weather, above most traffic. Pressurized cabin makes it comfortable up there.
Range Reality
1,730 nm with reserves. That’s coast-to-coast with one stop. Nashville to Seattle direct. Impressive for single-engine.
Burns about 55 gallons per hour at economy cruise. Better than jets, though fuel is still a real operating cost.
The Cabin
Six seats including pilot. Executive configuration works better with four passengers. Pressurized to 6.2 psi differential – cabin altitude around 9,000 feet at max altitude.
Baggage compartment is small compared to light jets. Trade-off for the single-engine simplicity.
Avionics Package
G3000 system comes standard on the 960. Autothrottle – huge workload reduction for single-pilot operations. HomeSafe emergency autoland system available.
Single-Pilot Reality
Designed for single-pilot IFR. The automation helps, but you’re still flying a 330-knot airplane alone. Workload management matters. The best TBM pilots stay ahead of the airplane.
Operating Costs
Acquisition cost around $4.5 million new. Annual fixed costs in the $200K range including insurance, hangar, training. Variable costs around $750/hour.
Not cheap. But compared to owning a light jet with similar capability, it’s actually economical. Weird how that works.
