Daher Aircraft delivers first TBM 980 to customer in Brazil

First TBM 980 delivery in Brazil

French manufacturer Daher Aircraft has delivered the first TBM 980 turboprop to a Brazilian customer, bringing the newest model in the TBM family to the country for the first time. The aircraft, registered PS-DVA, was purchased by an entrepreneur in the agricultural sector, who replaced a TBM 900 with the new variant in search of updated technology, improved operating efficiency and the flexibility to use a wider range of runways.

According to the manufacturer, the owner operates several cattle farms and rural properties across Brazil and will use the TBM 980 to travel between these locations, including flights into semi-prepared strips.

Garmin G3000 PRIME and e-copilot technology on the TBM 980

The decision to move to the new aircraft was driven mainly by the adoption of Garmin’s third-generation G3000 PRIME avionics suite, alongside the model’s mix of speed, efficiency and operational versatility.

One of the TBM 980’s headline features is its cabin fitted with the Garmin G3000 PRIME system, built around three 14-inch touchscreen displays. The setup is designed to provide a more intuitive interface, improved ergonomics and reduced pilot workload through customisable configurations.

Daher also highlights the set of technologies brought together under the e-copilot system, which includes functions intended to raise operational safety. These include advanced weather detection, protection against ice formation, flight-envelope monitoring, an automatic emergency descent mode, and the HomeSafe function, which enables automatic landing in emergency situations.

In propulsion terms, the TBM 980 is powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-66XT intelligent turboprop engine paired with a five-blade Hartzell composite propeller. Both are managed by a FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) digital electronic control system, which optimises performance, efficiency and overall aircraft operation.

When the aircraft was launched at the start of the year, Daher said the base price would be US$ 5.82 million, which at the current exchange rate is approximately R$ 30 million.

Daher Aircraft’s Brazilian market presence

Daher notes that Brazil is among the most important markets for its aircraft range, covering both the pressurised TBM 980 and TBM 960 executive models, which seat six occupants, and the utility Kodiak 100 and Kodiak 900, which can carry up to ten people.

The company says Brazil’s continental scale, combined with the strength of sectors such as agribusiness, construction and mining, is generating rising demand for efficient regional transport solutions-a segment in which its aircraft are positioned.

To reinforce its presence in Brazil, Daher opened Daher Aircraft Brasil in October last year, based in São Paulo. The unit was set up to deepen customer relationships and provide local technical support.

Since establishing the Brazilian operation, the company says it has sold five TBM 980s and one TBM 960. Around 60 TBM-family aircraft of different versions are currently operating in Brazil, along with seven Kodiak 100s.

Introduced in January this year, the TBM 980 has already surpassed 30 deliveries worldwide.