Leash is brilliant! Thanks for sharing. I was recently able to try out the oxygen mask in a Citation and it was really impressive! What do you do when the plane is unavailable for what seems like a month for annuals? Can you rent a similar plane? Are there some solutions tied with the maintenance agreement? Again thanks for sharing the details of owning and using a nice turboprop.
I just go without aviation transport when it is in the shop. So far mx has been 2-3 weeks tops, but I haven't had a really major inspection event just yet.
Jason - I'm curious: What made you choose the TBM over something like a Mustang? The operating costs seem very similar and I'm currently researching these two airplanes.
I think the operating costs are a bit higher with the Mustang but the acquisition costs are much less. Both planes are easy to fly (the mustang may be slightly easier) and essentially the same speed. Mustang can go over more weather, though the TBM has gotten over most everything I have come up against so far (or the storm was too high even for the Mustang anyway). TBM has longer "legs" which was a big draw for me - huge time savings when you can avoid a fuel stop. The training was shorter in TBM as I don't have my multi, so I would have had to get that plus a type rating. Socata is exceptionally good at making new add-ons/options available for the older TBMs, so once something interesting is added to the new planes it often makes its way to the older ones - that is rare for OEMs to do. For a family plane (with occasional business trips) I made the right choice for me. I do love the Mustang, it has been great for business trips. But I somehow like the TBM more and more after each flight (I was told that would happen).
Jason What type of legs do you need? I am looking for an LA to DFW plane and admit that during certain conditions it might be a stretch for the Mustang. The other draw for the Mustang are the service programs. The fact that Textron will dispatch techs to nearly anywhere to get me up and running again is attractive. I feel like my maintenance options are considerably more limited with the TBM...do you have any insight to offer there? Really appreciate you taking the time to respond. Thanks!
I wanted to be able to take the whole family 950nm without stopping, regardless of the winds. I have ~800lbs of payload available with full fuel in the TBM, so that was a big help. For support, I imagine it is hard to beat the size of the Cessna network. I think a big factor would be where the closest TBM facility is. If not far away, then you are likely good. If you were AOG I'm sure they would take care of you, sounds like a good question to challenge your sales rep on. :)
Not sure, planes that are designed for RVSM have that equipment rolled up in the purchase price. I imagine the G1000 just comes ready as-is but not sure.
Really? No Bane imitation at all? My Stratus sits in the baggage compartment, connected to a USB power cord. So I never think about it. (If I lose power it switches to battery if the GPS detects it is still in motion.) Could you do that in the TBM? I suspect you'd need to wire a GPS antenna cable as well, but the Stratus has that option.
RIght. The Sentry Mini will be there even if you (I can't picture how this happens) lose ALL the electrical stuff in the plane. *If* you are IMC, that's a really nice moment to have ForeFlight's AHRS up and moving map leading you to the nearest airport. That's the scenario that I feel like I am putting a floor under, even though it seems like it would be really hard to have it happen in the Twinstar or TBM. (Obviously, getting the data from the FlightStream and NXi is great, but the moment you lose the electrical system that source vanishes.)
Jason... the Test Pilot....thanks as always for sharing these in-depth videos...
Thanks!
really cool i always wondered about the masks on tbms
Great video. Thanks for sharing. Waiting for my RVSM as well.
Dog leash great. Love to learn more about RVSM training
Leash is brilliant! Thanks for sharing. I was recently able to try out the oxygen mask in a Citation and it was really impressive! What do you do when the plane is unavailable for what seems like a month for annuals? Can you rent a similar plane? Are there some solutions tied with the maintenance agreement? Again thanks for sharing the details of owning and using a nice turboprop.
I just go without aviation transport when it is in the shop. So far mx has been 2-3 weeks tops, but I haven't had a really major inspection event just yet.
I'm stealing the dog leash idea!
I stole it myself! :)
Jason - I'm curious: What made you choose the TBM over something like a Mustang? The operating costs seem very similar and I'm currently researching these two airplanes.
I think the operating costs are a bit higher with the Mustang but the acquisition costs are much less. Both planes are easy to fly (the mustang may be slightly easier) and essentially the same speed. Mustang can go over more weather, though the TBM has gotten over most everything I have come up against so far (or the storm was too high even for the Mustang anyway). TBM has longer "legs" which was a big draw for me - huge time savings when you can avoid a fuel stop. The training was shorter in TBM as I don't have my multi, so I would have had to get that plus a type rating. Socata is exceptionally good at making new add-ons/options available for the older TBMs, so once something interesting is added to the new planes it often makes its way to the older ones - that is rare for OEMs to do. For a family plane (with occasional business trips) I made the right choice for me. I do love the Mustang, it has been great for business trips. But I somehow like the TBM more and more after each flight (I was told that would happen).
Jason What type of legs do you need? I am looking for an LA to DFW plane and admit that during certain conditions it might be a stretch for the Mustang. The other draw for the Mustang are the service programs. The fact that Textron will dispatch techs to nearly anywhere to get me up and running again is attractive. I feel like my maintenance options are considerably more limited with the TBM...do you have any insight to offer there?
Really appreciate you taking the time to respond. Thanks!
I wanted to be able to take the whole family 950nm without stopping, regardless of the winds. I have ~800lbs of payload available with full fuel in the TBM, so that was a big help. For support, I imagine it is hard to beat the size of the Cessna network. I think a big factor would be where the closest TBM facility is. If not far away, then you are likely good. If you were AOG I'm sure they would take care of you, sounds like a good question to challenge your sales rep on. :)
Jason thanks for the video. Does RVSM also mean additional high precision, high cost altimeters? On a side note, do you fly 92 or 135?
Yeah, the equipment (especially altimeters and autopilot) have to meet certain requirements for accuracy and redundancy. I fly part 91 (personal)
I read from another TBM pilot that said the RVSM altimeters cost close to $40K/each and you need, two. Is that possible?
Not sure, planes that are designed for RVSM have that equipment rolled up in the purchase price. I imagine the G1000 just comes ready as-is but not sure.
There was some debate on P1Ds channel as to why Cirrus isn't RVSM certifying the Vision Jet that comes with the G3000. Kinda curious.
socomon69 that jet has ceiling of 28k so no need for it
O2 mask reminds me of Bane from Batman.
Really? No Bane imitation at all?
My Stratus sits in the baggage compartment, connected to a USB power cord. So I never think about it. (If I lose power it switches to battery if the GPS detects it is still in motion.) Could you do that in the TBM? I suspect you'd need to wire a GPS antenna cable as well, but the Stratus has that option.
:) I have since changed to a Sentry Mini that I do just keep plugged in. Also using the Connext vis the FS510/NXi to get data too
RIght. The Sentry Mini will be there even if you (I can't picture how this happens) lose ALL the electrical stuff in the plane. *If* you are IMC, that's a really nice moment to have ForeFlight's AHRS up and moving map leading you to the nearest airport. That's the scenario that I feel like I am putting a floor under, even though it seems like it would be really hard to have it happen in the Twinstar or TBM. (Obviously, getting the data from the FlightStream and NXi is great, but the moment you lose the electrical system that source vanishes.)
does the TBM breaks down a lot?
So far I've only had to take it in for unplanned maintenance once, but I only have 7 months of ownership so far, we'll see!
I was hoping for you to say (luke i am your father