Daher's new TBM 940 has been certified by EASA; the airworthiness authority approval comes two months after the aircraft's launch in March. There are 25 orders for the version on the books and initial deliveries will be to customers in Europe and Asia. Deliveries to North America and other markets will follow after certification by the US Federal Aviation Administration.

“We are grateful to EASA for the quick certification process following the hard work of our teams,” comments Daher senior vice president Nicolas Chabbert. “The European authorities consider it a priority to make major safety items available to the pilot. We are proud to have developed an aircraft that combines power, safety and comfort, building on Daher innovation for continual improvement to the TBM very fast turboprop aircraft family. The TBM 940's positive feedback from customers underscores that we're on the right path.”

Key features are the integration of an automated throttle and an automated icing detection system, both of which are installed for the first time on a standard production turboprop aircraft weighing less than 12,500 lbs. The cabin also incorporates further enhancements to style, ergonomics and comfort elements in the cabin.

The automated icing detection system and cabin enhancements are shared with Daher's Model Year 2019 version of the entry-level TBM 910, whose cockpit also benefits from the latest functionality with Garmin's flight deck. Surface Watch helps the pilot maintain enhanced situational awareness in the airport environment; Baro VNAV allows approaches with vertical guidance when Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) navigation is not available; and visual approach assistance aids the TBM pilot in performing visual approaches on non-controlled airports with vertical guidance.

Daher flew its TBM 910 EBACE using Jet A fuel blended with biofuel. This demonstration flight was organised by the business aviation coalition for sustainable alternative jet fuel (SAJF) utilising a Jet A/biofuel mix produced by renewable products producer Neste, and made available to Daher by Air BP.

The fuel meets the industry's ASTM D7566 aviation turbine fuel containing synthesised hydrocarbons standard specification and has been approved for the TBM's PT6A turboprop engine by Pratt & Whitney Canada, the powerplant manufacturer.

By combining the Jet A/biofuel mix with the low fuel consumption of Daher's TBM 900-series aircraft (37 US gallons per hour/139 litres per hour at long-range flight settings), the flight from Caen Carpiquet airport in France to Geneva created 80 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than a light jet burning regular Jet A fuel on an equivalent trip.

The SAJF coalition was formed two years ago to promote fuels that can reduce emissions, a long-term goal for the business aviation community. Participants include the EBAA, GAMA, IBAC, NATA, and the NBAA.

“As a coalition member, Daher welcomed this opportunity to demonstrate its support for the development and adoption of sustainable alternative jet fuel,” explains Chabbert. “We flew our team in confidence to EBACE aboard the TBM 910. It's now on to the next steps: the production and distribution of biofuel and expanding its use in meeting aviation's goal of carbon-neutral growth from 2020.”

Daher is also highlighting its TBM Care concept at the expo, which is underscored by the company's latest version of its Me & My TBM cloud-based application where pilots and operators share their flight plan and performance directly through different media. The application's ergonomics and features are enhanced with the introduction of analysis modes allowing flight and time optimisation along with the aircraft's landing approach, as well as new average block speed calculation and monitoring. With its highly accurate graphics, feedback is provided during every phase of a TBM's flight from key parameters of the engine and other systems to a full range of statistics accessible wherever the aircraft goes.

TBM owners and operators can check the identity card of their TBM in the app's new 'My TBM details' section. Utilising an enhanced banner for the CAMP tracking tool, scheduling for the next maintenance visit is now highlighted directly on the home page in terms of days or flight hours. The TBM Care team also can be contacted through the app to answer questions whenever needed.