Boogying Through The Flight Levels In A TBM 850 With Aero-TV

The G1000 And PW's Finest Make This An Exceptional Way To Travel

It would be hard to improve on a such an impressive performer as the TBM 850 single-engine turboprop... but that said, if there was one area the previous generation aircraft came up lacking, it was in cockpit integration. That concern has been nicely addressed by EADS Socata for 2008, with a simple one-word explanation: Garmin.

After working our way on a warm day at 308-310 kts at FL260, with th best of Garmin keeping things VERY manageable, we have to tell you that the TBM 850 has it RIGHT.

Upgrades to the latest TBM 850 variant includes its Integrated All-Glass Flight Deck, based on the last-generation Garmin G1000 system -- which replaces traditional instruments with large liquid crystal display (LCD) screens. It integrates primary flight, navigation, weather, traffic, ground proximity and technical information on the aircraft, fully associated with a digital autopilot. This reduces pilot workload and eases maintenance, and brings the TBM 850 truly into the realm of the world’s most advanced light business aircraft.

In addition, the TBM 850’s environmental and vapor control system has been replaced by the Global Air Control System, which is more efficient and offers a dual zone temperature control.

EADS Socata also made some oft-requested improvements to the TBM 850's cabin. The aircraft’s interior has been entirely redesigned to offer more space and comfort, with a two-inch width increase and a one-inch ceiling rise. The changes also serve to reduce airframe weight, increasing the TBM 850’s useful load by 110 lbs.

Fuel tank capacity is boosted by 11 gallons, benefiting from a transfer in the fuel cap position. Maximum range increases from 1,330 nm to 1,410 nm at the maximum recommended cruise of 320 knots.

Developed in response to customer feedback, the TBM 850’s 2008 model has already achieved success in the market. Introduced to EADS Socata’s most faithful customers during the past several months, it ...

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[Pootangpie69]

Amazing thanks for posting this. This is the aircraft in this months Flyer magazine. This Aircraft wipes the floor with "VLJ's"

[ziegle9876]

Only drawback is the G1000 instead of the Avidyne R9. The Avidyne is MUCH better.

[dmimcg]

I'd rather have a Sirus. Much better plane.

[Ryananderson1963]

Frankly the TBM is one of the best performing aircraft I have ever looked into or flown for that matter. You can carry 6 people with a 1000 NM range reaching FL310 in under 20 minutes and cruising at 315 KTAS. Most of the jets out there including the Mustang will not reach that range with that payload without a fuel stop, making the TBM 850 faster in the long run at 1/3 the oper cost. I can also take off out of Denver on a 70 deg. day in under 3000' in the TBM while the Mustang uses up over 7000

[youngfart40]

You gotta remember this guy is a sales man for this company so of course he is going to say only nice things. His take on the VLJ's is simply not true. Not only that the TBM costs about a million more than a VLJ and the VLJ's have 2 engines that are much quieter.. The TBM does not have fadec or winglets. The VLJs cruise around the mid 30's with rarely any problem and they are around 50 knots faster. This whole range thing is nonsense, rarely if ever do owners go very far with a VLJ or TBM.

[bg11215]

Hmm, between the Mustang and TBM 850, I think I'd rather have the 850. I'd value the 300+ mile range more over the 20-30 kts increase in airspeed.

[urdaddy4321]

He says this because the higher flight levels are jam packed with airliners going much faster. So air traffic control is going to shove you lower to get you out of the way.

[ibtm]

yes---when he references VLJ's, he is talking about Diamond and Cirrus VLJ's, both of which are limited to 25,000 ft.

[ellomot0]

Not lower than 28000. He says to get the range the VLJs have to cruise at their otimum altitudes of 35-41000. BUT if they are crossing the USA these altitudes are busy with Airline traffic who are travelling much faster the the VLJs. Right or wrong he is saying the VLJs will have to fly lower that their otimum (less that 35-41000) not lower that the TBM at 28000.

[bg11215]

He states that if you're flying a TBM 850, you'll cruise at around 28,000 ft, and if you're in a light jet, you'll "obviously have to stay a lot lower". Does anyone know why he says this? It's obviously not true, as the Cessna Mustang, which I believe had already been in the market at the time of this interview, cruises around 41,000 ft. So why did he say that?

[rightseat]

If by performance you mean 'speed only' then I agree. But performance is much more than that: payload, range, required field length, etc. The TBM only wins the speed race. But it is a fantastic aircraft.