Daher recognizes the TBMOPA for its involvement in promoting TBM aircraft safety and flight efficiency

The TBM Owners and Pilots Association has completed a highly successful 2022 annual convention, with a large audience that brought together operators of Daher’s TBM very fast turboprop aircraft and the supplier community for four days of informative sessions, safety-related briefings and networking. More than 320 attendees were present in downtown Nashville, Tennessee for this month’s event – with many of the TBM owners arriving aboard 85 TBMs at Smyrna/Rutherford Airport. All TBM versions were present, from earlier-production TBM 700s and TBM 850s to the TBM 900, TBM 910, TBM 930, TBM 940 and the newest TBM 960 version.

Daher was the TBM Convention’s co-sponsor, providing briefings and updates on the TBM aircraft family, as well as exhibiting at its “Digital Corner” and information desk with the participation of members from its TBM Care team.

Nicolas Chabbert, the Senior Vice President of Daher’s Aircraft Division, said the 2022 event further reinforced the TBMOPA’s position as one of the most active aircraft owner/operator organizations: “This year’s Convention underscored the continuing commitment of TBMOPA and its members in supporting flight safety across the TBM fleet, bringing the pilot community together at one of the largest meetings for a turbine-powered general aviation aircraft type,” he stated.

Raphael Maitre, the Vice President of Customer Support at Daher’s Aircraft Division, confirmed the company’s ongoing support for the TBMOPA’s activities, especially in the association’s key role in maintaining and enhancing TBM pilots’ proficiency and operational safety.

During three days of dynamic sessions customized for TBM owners and operators, a range of presentations from system vendors were complemented by such informative briefings as the implementation of performance-based navigation (PBN), outlined by Hughes Aerospace Corporation’s Chris Baur; interpreting the weather, detailed by Dr. Scott Dennstaedt, a FAA-certificated flight instructor and former meteorologist; and maintenance tips, explained by TBM owner and former astronaut John Grunsfeld.

Activities for spouses and companions of TBM pilots/owners were given a new dimension at this year’s convention with an updated interactive ground school program organized by Jim Tuley, an airline pilot and TBMOPA’s Safety Consultant.

TBMOPA Chairman Brian Dunsirn thanked Daher for its continued co-sponsorship of the annual convention, and recognized the company for its close working relationship with the association. “This relationship is truly unique within the general aviation sector, and it has never been stronger,” Dunsirn commented. “Together, Daher and TBMOPA have marked many achievements – with the emphasis on flight safety and the goal of further improving the TBM ownership experience.”

With Daher’s integration of the Kodiak aircraft into the company’s airplane family, TBMOPA is now opening the association’s membership to Kodiak owners/operators. TBMOPA has proposed an initial six-month complementary membership, and 15 Kodiak owners/operators have accepted this offer to date.

During the 2022 TBMOPA Convention’s live auction, a total of $120,000 was raised for the TBMOPA Foundation – a 501(c)(3) charity that contributes to the future of aviation through selected scholarships for aspiring pilots – including disabled individuals and veterans – as well as providing support for organizations that donate airlift services to help those in need. The Foundation also runs the TBM Safety Seminar program, and it developed the TIPS advanced training program for TBM pilots’ recurrent training.

The 2023 TBMOPA annual convention will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado from September 6 to 10. More information is available at www.tbmowners.org.