I flew a new TBM850 today on a demo ride. We flew from PDK to Asheville, NC. and back. We flew in full IMC both ways as this hurricane passed through the southeast. The highest we went was 15,000 as we didn't go very far distance wise.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N562 ... /KPDK/KAVL

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N562 ... /KAVL/KPDK

Here's all you really need to know:

1. It's fast. 277TAS at 15,000 feet burning 70+GPH.

This plane has everything but "room". I loved everything about it except that I'm wedged into a tiny seat inside a tiny cabin. The cabin is smaller than my Bonanza. I had very little room for my legs and my head. This is not the case in the Bonanza.

The turbine, avionics, speed and bling factor are all high.

277 TAS is not that impressive to me for the costs and size. Quit trying to find something better, go buy the Pilatus and enjoy.

We only got to 15,000 feet remember. We'd have been doing 310 at 27,000 feet on 60 gph.

ROC is 2000fpm without even trying. So, you're at 15,000 feet in a little over 7 minutes.

I personally love the TBM but can not justify it as I do not fly my planes under business names. You need the Pilatus. It has tons of room and if you need to carry trade show set ups, and people or even a shipment that did not meet its delivery date to Nevis, then you can fly that bad Mama down there, keep a customer happy, plus have drinks with your team that evening. There will always be bigger, faster and more bad everything down the road. In a few years you will probably need the Pilatus and theres one out there with your name on it. Plus you can swing down here and pick me up for a ride.

Maybe it is just me, but from the side it just looks, well, wrong.

Like they built the first plane and then discovered a huge CG issue. They then moved the engine SIX feet forward. I understand the need for this on airplanes that were originally piston powered. But unless this thing was previously powered by a Cat diesel, someone missed the mark.

Jason, Did that plane have the pilot door? I am 6' 4". I attempted to occupy the pilot's seat in a TBM from the rear of the cabin and gave up. I then got into it through the pilot's door, then had a really hard time exiting the plane. I could not find a comfortable position in the five minutes or so I was in the plane. I can't imagine having to endure the pilot seat position for a two or three hour flight. Many years ago I needed to borrow a car after flying in to visit a friend. The only thing available was an MG Midget. Getting out of the TBM made me recall that experience.

This plane was designed by people under 5' 6".

That's my only gripe. It's too small.

However, if you want to legitimately give up the airlines permanently and fly yourself anywhere in the world you need to go, this is the airplane for you.

If you want a truck buy the Pilatus. Looks like a truck, flies like a truck,will carry loads like a truck. Not shy on ADs as well. Not many options in todays market till you get to the Cessna Mustang and CJs.
I fly a Superstar/Aerostar occasionally, still has pistons, handles beautifully, fast, and can lift a good load, cruise in the FLs if you like. But it still has pistons.

Does anyone have an idea about the hourley costs operating a TBM850?
Fuel alone would be 620$ (cruise FF of 60gph) per hour in Europe.

That is 0.6 AMUs per hour just for fuel...

Jason

The cabin may be tight but that TBM is the coolest, fastest, best looking single engine plane going. I think it was great you got to spend some time in one.

There is only one place in a plane that really counts and that is the pilots seat. It has to be comfortable, well organized and functional. The co-pilots seat is second. Riding for three hours as a passenger in any plane is not a lot of fun for me

Good luck
Russ

Jason, 1992 called and wants its haircut back.

Jeeeez!

For the US, I found these numbers previously (this is for the TBM700, burns a bit less fuel, overall they are probably a bit optimistic). They give a DOC of $475/hr if owner-flown for the TBM700. Now, once you factor in fixed cost for 200hrs or so (insurance, hangar, annual training) you are at about $1000/hr. If you factor in cost of money: You don't want to know .

http://www.caijets.com/tbm_operating.php


Cost Category Basis Cost
Fuel Cost(1) 53 gal. per hour @ $4.50/gal. $238.50
Oil $7.00 per qt. every 15 hours $0.47
Prop Overhaul (2) $10,000 every 3,000 hours/6 Yrs. $3.33
General Maintenance (3) 1 hour maintenance per flight hour $127.50
Five-year Items $20,000 at 2,000 hrs. or 5 Yrs. $10.00
Hot Section Inspection (4) $20,000 at 1,750 hrs. $11.43
Engine Overhaul (4) $250,000 at 3,500 hrs. $71.42
Landing Gear Overhaul $32,000 at 5,000 landings/7 Yrs. $6.40
Landing Gear Actuators $30,000 at 5,000 landings/7 Yrs. $6.00

Total Direct Hourly Costs $475.05

(1) Calculated with average trip of 1 + 30
(2) Source: Hartzell Propeller
(3) Estimated $70/Hr. Labor and $30/Hr. Parts
(4) Source: Pratt & Whitney Canada, Inc. w/S/B 14261 Complied with - 3,000 Hr. TBO Otherwise

Two thoughts for this thread:

1) The "dream" of such a plane is so far beyond me.
2) The "dream" of having that much hair is so far beyond me. (can I get an Amen, Carneal? )

I say... I say Hallelujah Amen, preach on!

Jason, good reporting! Didn't you just take a ride in the PC12 as well? Got a similar writeup for us on that one?