French airframer Daher has reached a milestone with the rollout of the 1,000th TBM-series airplane. The landmark turboprop single, a TBM 940, will be delivered later this week to U.S.-based owner-operator James Hislop, an experienced private pilot and investment banker, at the company’s Pompano Beach, Florida facility. Hislop also serves as a volunteer pilot with several charity organizations, including Mercy Flights Southeast, Angel Flights Northeast, and Patient Airlift Services.

“The TBM 940 topped the list in areas of speed, range, and payload, while also incorporating all of the safety features,” explained Hislop, adding he had looked at many aircraft in its class before making his purchase. “It is built more to a commercial-grade compared to general aviation standards.”

Since the inaugural TBM 700 made its debut in 1990, Daher has continually improved the design up to the current 900-series that is now in production and represents the sixth evolution of the airframe. The 900 series includes the top-of-the-line 940 with the Garmin G3000 cockpit, HomeSafe emergency autoland system, autothrottle, and touchscreen controls; the 910 features G1000 NXi avionics.

According to Nicolas Chabbert, senior v-p of Daher’s aircraft division, when the TBM family was launched in the 1980s, some in the industry questioned whether there was a market for single-engine pressurized turboprops, leaving them to doubt whether the company's initial sales goal of 600 would ever be realized.

“Looking ahead to the next 1,000 TBMs, we maintain our firm commitment to continue delivering aircraft that provide the optimum combination of speed and operational efficiency for owners and operators, along with the highest levels of safety and protection for pilots, families, and passengers,” said Chabbert.

Since Daher acquired the TBM line in 2010, it now has produced more of the speedy turboprops than the original manufacturer Socata did in the two decades prior.

"The Daher Group and its employees take particular pride in reaching the TBM's 1,000 mark," said company CEO Didier Kayat. "We have made significant investment since integrating the TBM into Daher's busienss portfolio and now it is a major asset for our overall industrial activity." (Photo: Eric Magnan/Daher)