Based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, Conair specializes in aerial firefighting services. The company plans to retrofit the new TBM 960s with additional avionics upgrades and specific equipment for their missions. The birddog fleet at Conair provides tactical and strategic direction for aerial firefighting efforts over wildfires. Additionally, Conair operates waterbombers used for dropping water or retardant on active fires.
Mike Benson, Director of Business Development at Conair, noted that their current birddog fleet is nearing the end of its lifespan due to demanding missions involving high turbulence and varying conditions. He highlighted several advantages of the new TBM 960s: "The new TBM 960s offer key advantages for aerial firefighting response. They are fast...offer superior visibility...are able to fly low and slow...and can be converted into multi-role platforms if desired by our government agency partners – incorporating the technologies used to map wildfires or provide search & rescue capability."
The TBM 960 has been used in various operations including military liaison tasks and flight test support but will now serve as an aerial firefighting aircraft with this delivery.
Originally developed as a collaboration between Mooney Airplane Company and SOCATA, the TBM was introduced in 1990. After Daher acquired a majority stake in SOCATA in 2008, production continued with further development leading to upgraded variants like the TBM 960 introduced in April 2022.
The newest variant features full authority digital engine control (FADEC), a five-blade Hartzell Propeller, and an autoland function powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E turboprop engine providing over 850 shaft horsepower.
Specifications include a maximum capacity of six passengers; length of 35 feet two inches; height of 14 feet three inches; wingspan of 42 feet one inch; maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 7,400 pounds; maximum range of 1,730 nautical miles (1,990 miles); maximum cruise speed of 330 knots (380 miles per hour); and a service ceiling reaching up to 31 thousand feet.
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