Daher Tbm 960 vs Piper M350
The Daher TBM 960 and Piper M350 sit in different categories despite both being pressurized, high-performance personal aircraft. The TBM 960 is a single‑engine turboprop optimized for fast, efficient point‑to‑point travel, while the M350 is a single‑engine piston aircraft aimed at owners who want pressurized comfort with lower operating complexity than turbine equipment. In range, the TBM 960 generally offers longer legs and more flexibility at higher cruise speeds, making it better suited to longer nonstop trips and time-sensitive travel. The M350 provides solid cross-country capability for a piston single, but its practical nonstop reach is typically shorter than the TBM’s, especially when considering higher-speed cruise profiles. For passenger capacity, both are commonly arranged for a pilot plus up to five passengers in typical executive layouts, with variations depending on seating configuration and payload. In real-world use, the TBM 960 tends to carry passengers and bags more comfortably on longer missions, whereas the M350 is often chosen for shorter to mid-length trips where turbine speed and range are less critical.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | Piper M350 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | $ 1.34 |
| Min Crew | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | M350 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 1343 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | $ 0.22 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | 1308 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | $ 285 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 213 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $1,195,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | — |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Galley Location | MID | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | 5.6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | — |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | No |
| Model | TBM 960 | TIO-540-AE2A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 2000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 350 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | — |
| Fuel Type | — | AvGas |
| TBO (yrs) | — | 12 |
| Fuel Delivery | — | Fuel Injected |
| No. of Engines | — | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 120 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 29 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 42.1 | 43 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 13.4 | 12.3 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 123 | 165 |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 11.4 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 13 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 20 |