One of my recent articles in the Cessna and Piper Owners Magazines. If you are a member you can read it there.
Tag Archives: TBM
Missing Logbooks?
Missing Logbooks.
Should you even consider buying an aircraft that is missing logbooks?
Every now and then you run into a situation where the aircraft logbooks are missing, or have been lost and reconstructed. Should that stop you from buying the aircraft?
Well, maybe. Just because the logs are gone doesn’t mean it is a bad deal. Try to substantiate the aircraft and engine hours (along with compliance with Airworthiness Directives (AD’s) and service bulletins) through the use of past maintenance records (invoices, shop tickets, etc.) If it doesn’t have any records, all the hours, overhaul estimates and repairs, are a guess. With past work orders and shop tickets you can attempt to rebuild the records. This would at least provide a reasonable base of hours to start from. It also depends on the use of the aircraft. Some commercial operations require that the hours and the TBO requirements be validated in the logs or maintenance records or the part cannot be used. If you don’t have a record of those, the use may require the overhaul of that component. For most general aviation owners, the logbooks for the engine will probably be more valuable than the airframe. The airframe, like the engine, can have critical AD’s that need to be monitored. Most pilots worry more about the engine condition than the airframe. Additionally, it would be worthwhile to do a search of the FAA records for any Major Repair or Alteration reports (Form 337).
This also brings up another question, should you pay less for an aircraft without logbooks?
As a personal buyer for a non-commercial use, the logbooks still have a value, although not as much as a commercial operator, but the price should still reflect the incomplete or missing logs. How much money are the logs worth? The guideline for most single engines aircraft logs is somewhere around $5,000. Light twins are worth $5,000 to $10,000. Establishing a price hinges on what information is available. If the work orders and records are there, and hours can be substantiated, the logs are less critical. If the missing logs are from years ago, but the aircraft has been maintained, overhauled and recorded since the time of loss, it would be less of a concern. Logbooks have also been known to show up after the purchase of an aircraft. The holders of the logbooks might have a reason for keeping the logs from the seller. In those cases of “re-appearing logs”, the holder usually wants to be paid for the logs. In some cases it might be worth the cost.
Daher unveils the TBM 940
The new model TBM 940 will bring more automation in the cockpit to ease handling of the very fast turboprop aircraft with a smart and stylish cabin.
Check out the cool new improvements to an already great airplane.
Pompano Beach, Florida, USA, March 7, 2019 – Daher today introduced the latest version of its single-engine very fast turboprop aircraft – the TBM 940 – which sets new standards with the integration of an automated throttle and automatic deicing system, along with enhancements to style and ergonomic elements inside the cabin.
Succeeding the current TBM 930 as the upper-end product in Daher’s TBM family, the TBM 940 marks important steps forward in further upgrading aircraft performance, safety and comfort. The TBM 940’s launch was announced today during the Safety Seminar meeting of the TBM Owners and Pilots Association (TBMOPA), held in Pompano Beach, Florida, USA.
“The TBM 940 redefines the ultimate private aircraft:
user-friendly, safe and efficient for both pilots and passengers,” said
Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice President of the Daher Airplane Business Unit.
“This newest TBM family member underscores our firm commitment to constant
improvement for the ownership and operational experience with our very fast
turboprop aircraft.”
One
key TBM 940 feature is its automated throttle – the first ever installed on a
standard production turboprop aircraft weighing less than 12,500 lbs. (5.7
metric tons). Fully integrated with the autopilot, this single power lever
autothrottle automatically adjusts the aircraft’s speeds based on the preset
flight profile – from climb-out to the landing approach.
In addition to reducing pilot workload, the autothrottle enables a TBM 940 to be operated to the edge of approved power regimes for its Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66D turboprop engine, providing optimum performance and efficiency from the powerplant.
Engine parameters display is also simplified through an intuitive single smart gauge.
Also introduced on the TBM 940 is increased automation for the deicing system – another first in the TBM’s aircraft category. When icing or ice accretion is detected – and if the pilot does not take action – the system is automatically activated for deicing of the airframe, windshield, propeller and the engine’s particle separator. An amber CAS (Crew Alerting System) message is displayed by the avionics, advising the pilot to clear the automatic activation and revert to the manual control mode.
The automatic deicing protection and autothrottle are fully aligned with Daher’s e-copilot® strategy of introducing functionality for improved operational safety on the TBM product line.
Inside the TBM 940’s cabin, Daher has incorporated ergonomic and style upgrades that include redesigned seats, additional thermal insulation for the cabin sidewalls, a new central shelf with side storage, an additional 115V electrical outlet at the right rear seat panel, and USB ports (bringing the overall total of USB ports to six for passengers and three for the pilots).
The TBM 940 retains the same range and handling qualities that made Daher’s TBM 900 series a true success, with more than 267 aircraft in this product line delivered from the overall production to date for the very fast turboprop aircraft.
Certification of the TBM 940 by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to be received at Aero Friedrichshafen 2019, the largest European airshow for general aviation, allowing new aircraft deliveries late spring this year.