Thanks for the useful load numbers Marc. That is indeed one awesome airplane. I guess I need to work harder as well.

While I tend to agree with you that buying any piece of equipment used probably makes more financial sense in the long run, the most successful businesses are trying to improve profits in the short run. If you don't you may get run over by your competitors. Critical pieces of equipment need to have low risk.

As a coincidence, this just popped up in my email inbox:

Eclipse is excited to announce official delivery of the first ECLIPSE 550 Jet! After FAA certification, our first customer is flying away in the world's most technologically advanced light jet, and also the the only twin-engine jet currently in production with a price tag under $3MM. "With the Eclipse 550, we've built a high performance light jet that includes advanced technologies and safety features that have traditionally been found only on much larger commercial aircraft," says Mason Holland, Eclipse CEO. "Our customers wanted the latest technologies such as auto throttles and a more dynamic pilot interface, and we responded to those demands. We are now delivering to ecstatic customers."

If you are interested in learning more about how you can own an Eclipse 550, or even if you would just like to take a tour and see how the 550 is built, please EMAIL US and we will answer any questions you may have.

Depending on how your lease is written, you may have the same opportunities to depreciate available to you that outright purchase offers. I believe that there is a minimum term and there has to be a fixed price to take over the property at the end of the term (often $1).
What you lose with that kind of lease is the lessor taking the risk of depreciation. It becomes simply a financing mechanism giving you access to relatively cheap capital.

I wonder what they had to do certification wise to get the 850hp for takeoff approved.

I wonder how much capacity TBM has in the factory. Seems like they have enough performance at the top end to bring out a lower end model. I bet a TBM 550 with a -35 engine would kill the Meridian.

Here is a video of 2 TBM 900 in flight.

http://midi-pyrenees.france3.fr/2014/03 ... 31793.html

The TBM700 A through C2 variants are killing the Meridian.

Why would they want to cannibalize sales of the 900 and negatively affect the strong resale values of their used fleet (which supports the price they can charge on the new model) ?

Out of the 3.7mil list, the engine is maybe a million. What would the price difference (new, OEM pricing) between the -66D and a -35 ? Not much relative to the value of the rest of the plane.

You'd make it different enough to not cannibalize. Reduce the power/tankage such that you had a 275 kt, 1000m, plane. The cost difference between a small and big block PT6 is not minor. Decontent it a bit, take a somewhat lower margin and I bet they sell.

Now they may already be selling all they can build at a nice margin...

The TBM700 A through C2 variants are killing the Meridian.

Why would they want to cannibalize sales of the 900 and negatively affect the strong resale values of their used fleet (which supports the price they can charge on the new model) ?

Out of the 3.7mil list, the engine is maybe a million. What would the price difference (new, OEM pricing) between the -66D and a -35 ? Not much relative to the value of the rest of the plane.

The fit on that pilot door sure doesn't look like it is in keeping with the rest of the plane!

The press release noted they have 10 sold to individuals and 30 to dealers. Dealers also believe they will be selling fast.

DAHER-SOCATA reveals the TBM 900 very fast turboprop aircraft
 After three years of development, the TBM 900 flies faster and farther
 Certified and already in production, the TBM 900 is ready for its first deliveries
Tarbes, France, March 12, 2014 – DAHER-SOCATA today unveiled the newest member in its TBM family of very fast, single-engine turboprop business aircraft – the TBM 900 – which offers improved efficiency, an enhanced environment for both pilots and passengers, and superior performance without increased fuel consumption or additional engine power.
Developed during a more than three-year program involving 160,000 research and development hours, along with 200 hours of flight testing, the TBM 900 has been certified and will be ready for deliveries beginning this month.
DAHER-SOCATA has integrated 26 modifications in the TBM 900, building on the solid basis of its TBM aircraft family, including:
 Aerodynamic optimization through the addition of winglets and a vertical tailfin strake, as well as a new tail cone;
 The use of a five-blade composite propeller and redesigned spinner;
 A complete nose-to-firewall redesign for improved engine airflow circulation – featuring a banana-shaped air intake, carbon-fiber cowlings and new exhaust
stacks;
 Enhanced human-machine interface features, ranging from an ergonomic
control yoke with new functions to the restyled cockpit panel for increased
visibility and interaction with secondary system controls;
 A revised cockpit center pedestal that incorporates a single-control throttle
operation, associated with a new torque limiter that enables the use of 850 hp.
engine power at takeoff;
 A completely revamped electrical system with 300-amp starter generator that
allows new avionics and electronic devices to be incorporated on the aircraft. Its new electric core enables a semi-automatic start-up, while the new- generation 100-amp stand-by alternator provides electrical input in case of power supply loss;
 Increased passenger comfort, benefitting from lower cabin noise levels, an automated pressurization system and new-design seats.

Retaining primary airframe commonality with the predecessor TBM 850 – including its Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66D powerplant – the enhanced TBM 900 version ensures a proven airframe/engine combination.
The TBM 900’s top cruise speed is increased to 330 KTAS at 28,000 ft., and its maximum range is extended to 1,730 naut. mi. with five adult passengers as a result of the fuel consumption reduction to 37 U.S. gallons per hour.
By using the available 850 shp. engine power from takeoff, the aircraft’s ground roll is reduced – even in hot-and-high conditions – while its improved climb rate enables the 31,000-ft. ceiling to be reached in 18 minutes, 45 seconds.
“Today, we are introducing a new aircraft to business aviation: the TBM 900, which benefits from the resources of DAHER and some USD 30 million of investment,” said Patrick Daher, Chairman and CEO of DAHER, at the aircraft’s reveal ceremony in Tarbes, France. “DAHER is a true aircraft manufacturer with full capabilities to manage complex programs, from design and development to production, delivery and after-sales support.”
Stéphane Mayer, President and CEO of DAHER-SOCATA – the Aerospace & Defense activity of DAHER – said “the TBM 900 results from the company’s attention in listening to customers, and builds on the TBM 850’s success. This positions the company for its future in business aviation, as well as underscores the capabilities of the DAHER’s Aerospace & Defense activities”.
“The TBM 900 provides a new competitive edge by delivering even more on the right combination of speed, performance, efficiency and fuel consumption,” said Nicolas Chabbert, the Senior Vice President of DAHER-SOCATA’s Airplane Business Unit. “As with the other TBM family members, it will be supported by our growing international network, and backed by the DAHER-SOCATA commitment to customer satisfaction.”
Some of the TBM 900’s new elements are manufactured at DAHER-SOCATA’s aerostructures and systems production sites in France for composite components and piping.
The optimization of this latest TBM family member was achieved through major efforts in modeling, including the use of computational fluid dynamics – enabling detailed assessments of airflow around the aircraft that replaced traditional wind tunnel testing. As a result, the TBM 900’s performance and handling was determined with high precision.
Additionally, advance work conducted by DAHER-SOCATA facilitated the flight test phase and allowed an important time savings in research and development

This is the only info anyone cares about.

Those numbers are outrageously impressive. They just smoked the VLJ market all the way up to CJ2+ or so.

This is the only info anyone cares about.

Those numbers are outrageously impressive. They just smoked the VLJ market all the way up to CJ2+ or so.