French aircraft manufacturer Daher Aircraft has delivered the 30th unit of its latest single-engine turboprop, the TBM 980, according to company announcements. The milestone arrives as Daher targets an annual delivery record of 60 aircraft across its TBM family for 2024, driven by high global demand that has pushed the next available delivery position to mid-2027.
Production Expansion and Record Delivery Targets
Daher aims to deliver 30 more TBM 980 aircraft by the end of the year to meet strong customer demand. Reaching the goal of 60 total TBM deliveries within a single calendar year would surpass previous output figures. The manufacturer handed over 56 TBM aircraft in each of the years 2022, 2023, and 2024, followed by a slight decrease to 51 deliveries in 2025 prior to the introduction of the TBM 980, which was publicly unveiled in January.
To accommodate the sustained order backlog, Daher Aircraft has started construction on a new manufacturing line in Stuart, Florida. Scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2027, the facility will produce both TBM and Kodiak aircraft, prioritizing TBM production initially.
Digital Cockpit and Avionics Upgrades
The TBM 980 features the Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics suite, making it the most heavily digitized and connected model in the TBM lineup to date, according to Daher Aircraft. The flight deck incorporates three frameless 14-inch touchscreen displays that allow flight crews to customize information layouts. Developed in collaboration with human factors specialists to minimize crew workload, the Garmin G3000 PRIME system includes an automatic emergency landing function known as Autoland, alongside Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) features.
Nicolas Chabbert, chief executive officer of Daher Aircraft, stated that the success of the TBM series relies on targeted innovation. He noted that the response to the TBM 980 demonstrates that the company’s strategy resonates with global customers while maintaining the characteristics that define the category.
Propulsion and Connectivity Features
Powering the TBM 980 is a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-66XT turboprop engine controlled by a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, identical to the powerplant used in the TBM 960. The engine turns a five-blade composite propeller manufactured by Hartzell.
For in-flight connectivity, Daher Aircraft offers a Starlink Mini satellite internet terminal integrated through a factory-installed cockpit mount and a dedicated 100-watt USB-C power supply. Digital subscriptions for the aircraft include Garmin PlaneSync for remote aircraft status monitoring and automated database updates via the Me & My TBM app, alongside Garmin Pilot, ForeFlight integration, Jeppesen aviation databases, and SiriusXM weather and audio services.
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