Daher Socata TBM 940

The Daher Socata TBM 940 took over from the TBM 930 as the best-equipped version of the French TBM 900 family. The airframe, the PT6A-66D engine, the cabin and the range stayed the same, while the aircraft gained an autothrottle, automatic de-icing and a reworked cabin. Owner-pilots and companies bought most TBM 940s, so only a few fly with charter operators holding an AOC, and we check availability with every request.

Cabin: four club seats and what changed for passengers

The pressurised cabin is 4.05 m long including the cockpit, 1.21 m wide and 1.22 m high, so you sit rather than walk about. Four seats face each other in pairs, and with one pilot a fifth passenger sits in the front seat.

Compared with the TBM 930, the TBM 940 cabin has:

• redesigned seats
• extra thermal insulation in the side walls
• a new central shelf with storage
• six USB sockets for passengers
• a 115 V socket at the right rear seat for a laptop

The TBM 940 has no galley and no flight attendant, so cold food is loaded before departure. Wi-Fi depends on the aircraft, and the propeller is louder than jet engines.

Baggage and weight

Daher gives about 0.99 m³ of baggage space for the TBM 940. Most of it is behind the rear seats under a net, inside the cabin and reachable in flight; a smaller compartment in the nose opens from outside.

Skis, golf bags and large suitcases fit when the operator removes the rear seats and fewer people fly. A dog or cat travels in the cabin, as there is no other space, and needs:

• a microchip
• a rabies vaccination, the first one at least 21 days before travel
• an EU pet passport and the operator's approval in advance
• for the UK, Ireland, Malta, Finland or Norway, tapeworm treatment 1-5 days before entry

Performance and automation

Daher quotes the TBM 940 range of 3,204 km at an economy speed of 467 km/h, with full tanks and a 45-minute reserve. The runway figures apply at maximum weight and sea level, so at a high airfield on a hot day the operator may reduce the load.

One engine, one pilot: European rules

The TBM 940 automation does not change the rules for single-engine aircraft. Under EU air operations rules a commercial flight with passengers at night or in cloud needs an operator with a SET-IMC approval: proof of the engine's reliability in the world fleet, engine trend monitoring, extra equipment such as a second power source and weather radar, and procedures for a forced landing.

• Without SET-IMC: passengers fly only in daylight and good visibility, which in winter rules out late-afternoon returns from the Alps
• Single pilot: a captain flying alone in these conditions needs at least 700 flight hours on aeroplanes
• Domestic legs: Madrid - Malaga or Madrid - Palma go with an EU operator, as operators from outside the EU normally cannot fly a leg within one EU country

For every TBM 940 we offer, we check SET-IMC, the number of pilots and the Elite Privacy toilet.

TBM 940 routes from European hubs

Thirty one-way legs from all thirteen hubs, all non-stop, from Frankfurt - Luxembourg at 174 km to Geneva - Lisbon at 1,496 km. Prices are for the whole aircraft with pilot, without airport fees and passenger taxes. Flight time follows the great-circle distance plus taxi, climb and approach.

Up to two hours: where this turboprop is at its best

Two to four hours: fine for two or three, long for four

The calculator gives an indicative price for the TBM 940 and other aircraft classes on your route, including smaller airfields with turbine fuel.

TBM 940 charter prices

The rate starts at EUR 2,000 per flight hour for the whole aircraft with pilot and fuel. On short legs the total is higher than the rate multiplied by flight time, because positioning and a minimum per flight count more: Frankfurt - Luxembourg takes 0:49 h and costs from EUR 5,500, London - Paris (1:07 h) from EUR 6,500.

On longer legs the total moves closer to the rate: Geneva - Palma (1:55 h) costs from EUR 8,000 and Geneva - Lisbon (3:10 h) from EUR 10,500. On legs over two hours a light jet is worth comparing, as it is faster and carries more.

The price is for the aircraft, so per person Milan - Olbia costs:

How to fly cheaper

Empty Legs on this type

Because few TBM 940s fly in charter, empty TBM 940 legs are occasional. They appear mostly in summer on short legs between northern Italy, the Riviera, Corsica and Switzerland. Discounts of 30-60% are possible, but they are examples, not guaranteed.

TBM 940 compared with similar aircraft

The usual comparisons are the predecessor, the larger Pilatus, another single-engine turboprop and the smallest twin-engine jet.

Booking a flight

For a quote we need:

• route, date and departure time, especially if it is after dark
• number of passengers and the baggage, with skis or golf bags listed
• a toilet on board, if you need one
• pets with breed, weight and carrier

We always try to find a TBM 940 near your departure, but each case depends on the operator's availability and contract; otherwise we offer a sister type or a PC-12.

Questions about the Daher Socata TBM 940

• • How much does a TBM 940 flight cost?

  • From EUR 2,000 per flight hour for the whole aircraft. According to the table, London - Paris costs from EUR 6,500, Milan - Olbia from EUR 7,000 and Geneva - Palma from EUR 8,000 one way. Airport fees and passenger taxes come on top.

• • What is included and what is extra?

  • Aircraft, pilot and fuel are in the table price. Airport fees, passenger taxes, catering, de-icing, positioning and the pilot's hotel on a multi-day trip are added in the quote.

• • Why is a short flight more than the hourly rate?

  • The operator adds positioning and a minimum per flight. Frankfurt - Luxembourg lasts 0:49 h and costs from EUR 5,500, while on Geneva - Lisbon (3:10 h, from EUR 10,500) the total is much closer to the rate.

• • How can I fly the TBM 940 for less?

  • Fly in daylight so more operators can quote, return the same day, accept a TBM 930 or TBM 910 and keep the time flexible.

• • Are there Empty Legs on the TBM 940?

  • Occasionally, as few aircraft fly in charter. Summer legs between northern Italy, the Riviera, Corsica and Switzerland are the most likely. Discounts of 30-60% are examples, and the leg can be cancelled if the aircraft gets a full charter.

• • How many people can fly?

  • Five with one pilot: four in the cabin and one in the cockpit. With the Elite Privacy toilet, four. On long legs with full tanks about 404 kg remain for pilot, people and bags, so three passengers is the realistic number.

• • How far can it fly, and how much baggage fits?

  • Daher quotes 3,204 km at economy speed, and the longest leg in the table is Geneva - Lisbon (1,496 km, 3:10 h). Baggage space is about 0.99 m³, mostly behind the rear seats, with up to 230 kg in the four-seat layout. Soft bags fit better than hard suitcases.

• • Which small airports can it use?

  • It needs 726 m to take off at maximum weight, so smaller airfields such as Samedan, Calvi or La Môle near Saint-Tropez are possible by length. The airfield's rules for pilot and operator decide in the end, and Courchevel needs a special approval for operator and pilot, so we ask whether anyone holds it; otherwise Chambéry is the usual alternative.

• • Can my dog come along?

  • Usually yes, in the cabin, if the operator agrees. A large dog in a crate takes the place of one rear seat. The animal needs a pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination.