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TBM700 vs. PC-12

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Groundpounder

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
704
Why do people buy TBM's instead of PC-12's? They are very close in price, and the PC-12 is much larger than the TBM, is better suited for short/rough fields, and has longer range. About the only thing the TBM has is 20 knots more airspeed. TBM's aren't selling like the PC-12's, but they are still pretty popular. Why is this?
 
If you're just flying yourself and the wife with little luggage, why not go with the TBM? More speed.
 
From what I can tell the PC-12 looks like an awesome aircraft, the factory pilots are always showing off in the pattern at the airport I train at, flying the pattern 3000ft agl 250kts turing on final from 1500ft agl and landing at the 1000ft markers with ease.
 
DenverDude2002 said:
From what I can tell the PC-12 looks like an awesome aircraft, the factory pilots are always showing off in the pattern at the airport I train at, flying the pattern 3000ft agl 250kts turing on final from 1500ft agl and landing at the 1000ft markers with ease.
Yeah, it's pretty easy to slow down.
 
Dude-

the pilot's are pumping you full of pewp about the 250 knots. The PC12's Vmo is 236- but so is Vlo/le, so from 200 kts (what they're really seeing) on the downwind toss out the gear, pull the PCL back, bleed of airspeed until 163 for flaps 15, wait just a few seconds longer for flaps 30, slow to Vref+10 (which is 99kts at this point) as you fall out of the sky, fix the sink rate with a little power, add flaps 40, fly ref+10 (now 94), ref (84), speed pointer all the way after that, PCL to idle in the "flare" (not really a flare), full reverse and exit at the 1000' markers. It happens about that fast, too. The plane has a hugely forgiving nature, since you can come down AND slow down at the same time. The prop stays at 1700 rpm forever and always, so pulling the PCL simply puts the plane in full disc which means speed brake deeee-luxe.

The plane is a he!! of a lot of fun. The trailing link gear makes a half-arsed boogered up landing feel like a greaser, and it makes a greaser unfelt. The only thing about it is that the environmental control system is weaker than desired, and as far as gusty crosswinds... the thing just magically decides to go flying again if you have the slightest bit of excess speed on round-out or delay touchdown. The hardest habit to get into is to fly it on in those conditions- touch upwind main first, but don't mess around like you're sticking a toe in the water. Calm wind landings are amazing.

It was designed such that a 500-hour private pilot with $$$$ can fly his golf buddies around!
 
TBM's aren't selling like the PC-12's
that should answer your questions. When in doubt, check the market and see what is in more demand.

By the way, PC-12 interior is more spacious than a King Air 350

I am serious
 
It's pretty much like Sig says, except we fly the boss and his golf buddies.:D
 
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