Daher Tbm 960 vs Piper M500 vs Piper M600 Sls.diamond Aircraft Da62
The Daher TBM 960 and Piper M500 are both single‑engine turboprop aircraft aimed at owner‑pilots and personal or business travel, but they sit in slightly different segments. The TBM 960 is generally positioned as a higher‑performance, more premium fast turboprop, emphasizing speed, advanced automation, and longer legs between stops. The M500 targets a more cost‑conscious tier of the pressurized turboprop market, typically trading some top‑end performance for lower acquisition and operating costs while still offering serious all‑weather capability. In range, the TBM 960 typically offers a longer maximum range than the M500, enabling more nonstop city pairs and greater flexibility when flying with reserves. The M500’s range remains strong for regional missions but is usually shorter than the TBM’s at comparable settings. For passenger capacity, both are commonly configured for a pilot plus up to five passengers in a pressurized cabin, with practical seating and baggage depending on the specific interior layout and fuel load.
| Spec | Daher TBM 960 | Piper M500 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 2.25 | $ 3.11 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Daher TBM | Piper |
| Aircraft Name | TBM 960 | M500 |
| Aircraft Type | Turbo Prop | — |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1730 | 1000 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.56 | $ 0.78 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2908 | 1698 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 744 | $ 579 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G3000 | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 330 | 260 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,450,000 | $2,122,600 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | No | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 5 |
| Galley Location | MID | MID |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.2 | 5.5 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 14390 | 12600 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Refreshment Centre |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 8244 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | No |
| Model | TBM 960 | PT6A-42A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 3600 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 500 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 49 | ISA + 55 |
| No. of Engines | — | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 170 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 35.3 | 29.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 42.1 | 43.2 |
| 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) | — | 11.3 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 20 |