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Daher Tbm 960 vs Piper M500 vs Piper M600 Sls

The Daher TBM 960, Piper M500, and Piper M600 SLS are all single‑engine turboprops typically used for personal, business, and owner‑flown travel, but they sit in different performance tiers. The TBM 960 is generally positioned as the fastest and most premium of the three, emphasizing higher cruise speeds and longer legs, making it well suited to frequent point‑to‑point business trips. The Piper M500 is the entry-level option in this group, usually offering the shortest range and lowest overall performance, but still delivering efficient turboprop capability for regional travel. The Piper M600 SLS sits between them, commonly offering more range and payload flexibility than the M500 while remaining below the TBM 960 in speed and long‑range capability. In passenger capacity, all three are broadly similar in typical real‑world use, commonly configured for one pilot plus four to five passengers depending on cabin layout and how much fuel and baggage are carried, with the M600 SLS often marketed around a six‑seat cabin arrangement.

SpecDaher TBM 960Piper M500Piper M600 SLS
Summary
Cockpit222
DOC / nm$ 2.25$ 3.11$ 2.19
Min Crew111
Total Seats666
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFR
ManufacturerDaher TBMPiperPiper
Aircraft NameTBM 960M500M600
Aircraft TypeTurbo Prop
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)173010001406
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.56$ 0.78$ 0.55
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)290816982200
Standard Cabin Seats444
Direct Operating Cost$ 744$ 579$ 603
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G3000Garmin G1000 NXiGarmin G3000
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)330260274
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$4,450,000$2,122,600$3,081,400
Cabin
Cockpit222
LavatoryNoNoNo
Min Crew111
Total Seats655
Galley LocationMIDMIDMID
Cabin Pressure (psi)6.25.55.6
Standard Cabin Seats444
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)143901260012600
Galley / RefreshmentRefreshment CentreRefreshment Centre
Max Cabin Altitude (ft)82448644
Engine
FADECYesNoNo
ModelTBM 960PT6A-42APT6A-42A
TBO (hrs)350036003600
Horsepower850500600
Flat RatingISA + 49ISA + 55ISA + 55
No. of Engines11
Fuel Capacity (gal)170260
Dimensions
Length (ft)35.329.629.7
Wingspan (ft)42.143.243.2
Cabin Width (ft)44.14.1
Cabin Height (ft)4.144
Cabin Length (ft)13.412.312.3
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)123165165
Overall Height (ft)11.311.3
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)2020