Daher Tbm 960 vs Piper M350 vs Piper M500
The Daher TBM 960, Piper M500, and Piper M350 all sit in the high-performance personal aircraft space, but they differ clearly by category, range, and typical cabin use. The TBM 960 and M500 are single‑engine turboprops, generally positioned as faster, higher‑altitude cross‑country platforms, while the M350 is a pressurized piston single aimed more at efficient owner-flown travel with lower operating complexity than a turboprop. In range terms, the TBM 960 is typically the longest‑leg aircraft of the three, with the M500 also offering true long‑range capability but usually less than the TBM, and the M350 trailing both turboprops on maximum range. Passenger capacity is broadly similar across all three in day‑to‑day use: they are commonly flown with one pilot plus four to five passengers depending on loading, fuel, and baggage, with real‑world trip planning often favoring fewer passengers when maximizing range.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | Piper M350 | Piper M500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | $ 1.34 | $ 3.11 |
| Min Crew | 1 | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Piper | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | M350 | M500 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 1343 | 1000 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | $ 0.22 | $ 0.78 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | 1308 | 1698 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | $ 285 | $ 579 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 213 | 260 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $1,195,000 | $2,122,600 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | — | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | — | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| Galley Location | MID | — | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | 5.6 | 5.5 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | — | 12600 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Refreshment Centre |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 8244 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | No | No |
| Model | TBM 960 | TIO-540-AE2A | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 2000 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 350 | 500 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | — | ISA + 55 |
| Fuel Type | — | AvGas | — |
| TBO (yrs) | — | 12 | — |
| Fuel Delivery | — | Fuel Injected | — |
| No. of Engines | — | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 120 | 170 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 29 | 29.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 42.1 | 43 | 43.2 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.1 | 4 | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 13.4 | 12.3 | 12.3 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 123 | 165 | 165 |
| Overall Height (ft) | — | 11.4 | 11.3 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 13 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 20 | 20 |