The use of Daher's TBM and Kodiak aircraft families in multi-mission roles has expanded with the delivery of two newly produced TBM 960s as “birddog” aircraft for Conair Group Inc.'s wildfire-fighting operations.
Conair's selection of the TBM 960—following an in-depth analysis of 50 aircraft types by the Canadian-based company—marks the first time the TBM has been deployed in wildfire air attack operations. These missions require continuous airborne monitoring of fire-affected areas to assess risks and strategise airtanker drops of water or retardant.
Among the key advantages cited by Conair in choosing the pressurised, turboprop-powered TBM 960 are its superior performance, modern design standards, advanced technology, high reliability and strong support from Daher as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
The first TBM 960 ordered by Conair was delivered last October from Daher Aircraft's production facility and TBM final assembly line in Tarbes, France, with the second aircraft arriving this month.
“Conair can count on the full resources of our Daher Care support organisation, along with the backing of our extensive multi-mission expertise acquired through operations of the TBM and Kodiak aircraft families around the world,” explained Nicolas Chabbert, CEO of the Daher Aircraft division.
As wildfire air attack missions are highly demanding, the TBM 960's built-in safety and situational awareness features enhance Conair's operations. These include Daher's digital e-copilot® technology for electronic stability, under-speed protection, and an emergency descent mode; the EPECS single-lever, dual-channel digital control for the engine and propeller; an advanced Doppler radar system for detecting lightning and turbulence; and the aircraft's HomeSafe™ emergency autoland system.
