The big news out of last week’s TBM Owners and Pilots Association annual meeting in Tucson, Ariz., focused on a big upgrade for older TBMs. Daher-Socata and Garmin International announced that Garmin’s G1000 avionics suite will be made available for retrofit in TBM 700A and TBM 700B models. The G1000 will be available for retrofit in TBM 700C models “at a later time,” according to a Daher-Socata spokesman. Daher-Socata wants to test C-model owner interest before committing to retrofits.
The TBM 700A was the initial model in the very popular, 700-shp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-powered series of single-engine turboprops. First deliveries of the A-model were in 1990. These airplanes were built until 1997, when the TBM 700B was introduced. The B-models came with a wider cabin door and an increased zero fuel weight.
The C-model TBMs came in two variants. In 2003 the C1 model was introduced, followed by the C2 model. TBM 700C2s have 20-G seats and an increased gross weight.
Plans are for the retrofits to be accomplished at Daher-Socata service centers, as well as the company’s factory in Tarbes, France.
