Flying the TBM 930 to 30,000ft (Full Flight w/ ATC Audio)

Today we're taking the TBM 930 up into the flight levels to demonstrate the kind of performance that only comes from the world's fastest single engine turboprop (and to test my fear of heights). We put its climb to the test, going to FL300, just a thousand feet short of its maximum service ceiling.
This flight was an absolute blast, but equally exciting was learning step by step how to start this monster of an engine from steps A-Z.
You can check out the TBM 930 cold and dark cockpit startup video here: • TBM 930 Start Up Seque...
As always, you can read more aviation tips, tricks, and training FAQs answered at airplaneacadem...
Read more about Charlie Gasmire here: airplaneacadem...
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Music by Joakim Karud / joakimkarud

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Hey guys! I wanted to let you know I just launched an "Insiders" Newsletter where once a week I'm sharing an important lesson I've learned in aviation, links to my latest content so you don't miss out, and links to any other interesting or helpful content I've found. I'm also working on a HUGE project I can't announce yet but I'm going to be sharing more behind the scenes info with Insiders first - Subscribe (it's free) at: airplaneacademy.com/insiders

[@PluckyUnderdog]

This thing is amazing, a single engine turboprop that has performance that really isn't that far off a jetliner. I love the aesthetics, the avionics are cutting edge, what's not to like?

[@vswamidass]

$4m is one thing not to like 😀

[@chrisluehmann3094]

@@vswamidass i was gonna say.... the price lol

[@maxou5757]

The performance is far off from a jetliner.... A max cruise speed of 330kts and a ceiling of FL310 is nowhere near a jetliner which has a normal cruise speed of M.78 - .83 or 450kts - 480kts (depending on model) and has a ceiling of between FL390 and FL430

[@timmayer8723]

This plane is not for the faint of wallet.

[@satyabudi]

@@maxou5757, yeah, at least this thing fills the gap between the performance of regular turboprop and jet aircraft.

[@davejohnson8960]

Wow, super cool video. Very well done. I really prefer the more technical stuff. The more explanation of what you're doing and why the better.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks for the feedback, Dave! I can try to incorporate some more of that in the future, as it was tough to trim down a 60 minute flight into 13 minutes but I agree the technical stuff adds value! You might like the TBM start up video (link in description) as it goes into a lot of detail as to the exact steps in starting up that engine and cockpit.

[@CCGR-2024]

This was a great video, I have always been intrigued by the TBM and wondered what it was like to fly, thank you.

[@GregLassiterAUG]

Awesome video, the TBM is a great aircraft

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed.

[@leeway777]

You have all my favorite airplanes in each category exactly. Skylane (piston), TBM (turboprop), Citation M2 (light jet). I would buy a Skylane when I become a millionaire, which would never be :(

[@christuttle4156]

Nice- thanks for the ride!

[@jsteiger2228]

What in tarnation is that spaghetti mess at 9:19?!?!?! LOL

[@duojet1959]

Awesome!

[@drjimjam1112]

Watched a tbm come over the house at 41,000’ the other day on Radar24. Guessing he had no business being up at that altitude in that aircraft.

[@ThatBobGuy850]

Great video, man, but.... Why is it that videos of these type almost never show the plane stabilizing up at cruise? Personally, I'd like to see what it would actually do in terms of TAS and fuel flow. We never get that. All we get are claims by the pilots that they typically see this or that speed, but *WE* never get to see it - we just take their word for it. TBM's a great plane, for sure, but I would have like to see what it really did up there at FL300

[@balispotter]

Niceeeee love tbm

[@kurakuson]

Cessna 182 Skylane

[@navymt2005]

Anyone want to take me up in a TBM, feel free to contact me. That looks awesome!

[@frederickadler2644]

Can you see the curvature of the earth from that high, or is the horizon flat ?

[@tomcoulter6121]

So what was your pro-rata share of that flight?

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Ha! Would prefer not to know.

[@Flightsimmovies]

I wish I have 4 millions lying around

[@av8tore71]

How can you say "pistons would never get to do" when B-17's and B-29's went up that high during WWII? I'm sitting here with my 101 year old grandpa who flew B-17's & B-29 (in Korea) and it was nothing for them to fly in the 20 to 37k feet

[@AirplaneAcademy]

True. I think it was a generalization about most pistons not typically going nearly that high. THANK YOU to him for his service! Incredible.

[@DustinIssues-i1z]

Smith Shirley Young Cynthia Clark George

[@rs3800]

is it really vibrating so much when engine is idle on the ground?!

[@landonpegg]

They don’t vibrate at all unless you have a prop imbalance.

[@omarijoseph3189]

you look like CptCanada

[@info_fox]

You should watch those idiots that go up to 17,000+ feet in a Para glider on KZbin.

[@morphix007]

flight sim rep

[@touristguy87]

00:20 Um piston-engined planes have been flying at 300 and even higher since the 1930s. That weak-ass 930 only has 900 shaft hp.

[@humansrants1694]

Mass produced still in production ones with the same range and passengers ?

[@touristguy87]

@@humansrants1694 honestly I don't really know the current aviation market but when people are still flying planes built in the 50s what does it matter? But remember that many WW2 fighers and bombers had service-ceilings well above 30k agl and top speeds north of 400 knots. The Merlin engined P51 had a service ceiling of about 45k agl. P38, P47, Fw190D, late model Me109 and B29 all during the war regularly flew at or above 30k agl. Jets really only took over the airline industry after the Korean war. After the beginning of the so-called "jet age"....mainly because the airline industry could sell jets as a quieter more-comfortable mode of transportation due to the lack of propeller noise. But it is not like the early jet transports were actually "quiet" or cheap to operate. Or fuel-efficient or reliable. I think even today most military jet engines require more maintenance hours than flight hours. And there is only one jet flying today that I know of which is capable of supersonic flight without using afterburner. Possibly the Concorde could do it but that experiment didn't end well. So given no real need to fly at altitudes or airspeeds where jets are necessary it becomes more of a question of economics than capability. And the economics promote high-bypass jet engines and those have the same problems with airspeeed that a prop has. Because they essentially are turbofans.

[@alexflieshigh823]

@@touristguy87 i know two, at least, airplanes that can go Mach + with just super Cruise. Rafale and Raptor. The two best airplanes in the world.

[@stevenfries7032]

This is my most absolute favorite Aircraft to fly in FS2020. I Don't fly any other plane. It's super fast and I can normally gain TAS @ 310KT at around 21,000 feet. I wish I had this plane in real life but its 4 million dollars I guess I will pass.

[@grantremington3439]

Climb to 28,000 and it is much faster

[@SIRTEDD]

you can find an older 700 for around 300k

[@johnderperez]

Anything’s possible! I love flying this as well. I haven’t quite gotten the grasp of jets in MSFS. This plane just seems so straightforward and practical, with speed to boot.

[@raidzeromatt]

You'll pass huh?

[@Slavking03]

Agreed

[@hankarmstrong3681]

It's exciting in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. I love this simulated airplane.

[@tGug4real]

I wish I had friends that would let me work radios at 30,000

[@billmoran3812]

I’ve always thought that if I suddenly won the lottery, I’d get a turboprop. Been thinking a Kingair C90, but the TBM would be a very attractive option with one less turbine engine to maintain. 85 knot landing speed? Wow, that’s incredible for a 300 knot plane.

[@BrianRussTVC]

Unless you want to fly over big water, the tbm is a way better option

[@rbell722]

You are a great communicator. I don’t need another aviation channel but you won me over.

[@eitanfrankowitz6992]

Awesome video! It's nice to see an impression of someone flying in the tbm for the first time.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching. -charlie

[@edwardsp1916]

Great video, thank you to the owner for sharing his knowledge.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks for watching!

[@martinneumann9345]

This plane was doing 409 knots last week with huge tailwind.

[@reubenmorris487]

Plenty of pistons have gone to 30,000. Remember WWII?

[@LEMMYLEMON]

TBM is fantastic plane. It does pretty much anything you want. I’ve done Mach 0.55 in one at 30,000ft before

[@WolfPilot]

Awesome video Charlie! I *LOVE* the TBM and even though a C182 has more elbow room, I wouldn't mind flying it! I too love all the technical stuff. Keep em coming!

[@buckbuchanan5849]

I’ve flown a Caravan but that 930 is a wicked machine! Thanks for posting

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Awesome! Boy that would be fun

[@TheCustomEverythingChannel]

Kool video but my OCD is nuts bc all I can see is ur sear belt twisted

[@ifitflipsitships5102]

i cant stop watching TBM videos. that is such a nice plane i could never afford one but if i had the money i might consider it.

[@crazygamingyt7245]

It’s good it’s like a mini private jet inside, 4 luxury seats and decent amount of space for an aircraft like this

[@krcke]

0:21 technically not true; sounds crazy but late WW2 ERA piston engine fighters like the P-47, P-51 or BF109 G/K were already faster by quite the margin (around 50+ knots more)

[@GridConnections]

I love the TBM! It had been my dream turboprop plane, until I discovered the Epic E1000 😆

[@philipgledhill7227]

I buddy hope you are well thanks for getting in touch. Do you think the 940 is easy to fly have they made it alot easier out of all the other tbms.to fly.i would love to have a go.if i buy a plane I would have to have a pilot to try me so I can gain my licence. Take care and happy flying philip.

[@michaelmarquardotzen4241]

I loved that video! I am just learning the basics now to prepare for ground school, but it is my ultimate goal to fly at least a TBM 850 as a profession and make a living out of it! Love your videos! Thanks so much!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing and I appreciate the encouragement. Best of luck in ground school, you've got this!

[@HELERsx]

Its a little bit annoying that you cant adjust the Props by yourself. Its constantly spinning at 2000 RPM which is a huge noisefactor. In the 800ers you can pull them down to 1800 without any concerns. I get the point, its efficient but you just dont need all the power at every time

[@TIO540S1]

That’s an ... interesting...procedure turn.

[@S_Paoli]

reminder to self: call Zurich on Monday and move some money around. Zurich: "sir, stop calling us, your account balance is less than then pocket change in my pants"

[@tomdchi12]

I missed the pilot's name, but I like his focus and detailed approach.

[@truerushblast]

Way too much involved with flying too much talking going on I don’t like jumping in the car too much communication going on you should be able to get into a plane and just fly without communicating

[@eric.ross.art1]

I love flying the TBM in FS all the time. 10/10

[@naciriy]

Love this duo! You got my sub 👍

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Awesome! Thanks so much. Glad to have you!

[@luvbeers]

How do you use the prop as a speed brake? Just put throttle in FI?

[@maulanwong3841]

Next time can you make a video where you fly at 30,001 feet?

[@jasoncy31]

Absolutely loved this. Beautiful aircraft. Thanks for posting Charlie!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Sure thing! Glad you enjoyed!

[@StuartEverley-p5u]

Miller Edward Jackson William Robinson Jennifer

[@RaspySquares]

You know what's scary? Flying an airship at 7000 ft goin like 20kts. Just subbed. Dig the channel.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Haha I'll bet! And pumped to have you!

[@Howrider65]

Missing the best part engine sound.

[@kajowiser5432]

Your ears popped during landing right??

[@philipgledhill7227]

Philip hope's both of you are well. Brilliant flight buddy more years yet philip.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@Dwg256]

54675

[@handsupbud]

Alas I'm but a poor man but if I should win the loto, this would be mine.

[@jameswhittington7150]

Great, nothing about the 960s features, just a passenger running his mouth

[@wollaminfaetter]

What a fantastic video! I'm just a happy flightsimmer, but really neat to se the real thing.

[@jazzandbluesculturalherita2547]

As a retired U.S. Navy Lockheed S-3 Viking flyer, I'm used to zooming up to FL 400 with climbing performance almost as fast as cruise, during our Stateside Airways training, refreshers, and flying. This TBM 930 bird is very impressive for achieving FL 300, but I'm not sure I'd be patient enough for climbing only at the speed you quoted here. I really like the Piaggio P.180 Avanti, but even with the dual PT6 setup, the climb out is much slower than my S-3 experiences. I think I'd have to buy for myself a smaller jet-powered personal aircraft to not end up with buyer's remorse. Even as sweet as I am on the Avanti!

[@ProfessionalPilot]

* Cries in leased SR-22T *

[@patrickshaw8595]

Surely you meant to say "get to enjoy some performance that GENERAL AVIATION pistons will never be able to do..." See if you can wrangle a ride in ANY P-51, P-47, F6F, F7F, F8F, Mosquito, Hornet, Sea Fury or even an empty Douglas DC-7 or Lockheed Super Connie and get back to me, okay ?

[@BPond7]

My favorite plane in MSFS 2020. 🖖😀✈️

[@hinglemcgringleberry]

2600 fpm climb out, casually craps pants.

[@larrysfarris]

Awesome airplane! Now that's the way to get from point A to point B❗️👍

[@petewilliams4965]

Wow - what a beautiful aircraft!!!! Awesome job (both videos)!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate it.

[@pedrocobos6]

Hello Philip, you both are magnificent Pilots, great videos, beautiful aircraft,I like your teachings and Tips, 😅 and your sense of humor. Pedro from Mexico

[@Hooch802]

Just flew this in MFS 2020 in VR. After the 152 this felt like a spaceship. I can't imagine it in real life.

[@oobenoob]

I went from the 152 to this in msfs as well. Wow what a difference.

[@stacyevans1360]

You shortened call sign and ATC did not. Don't shorten unless ATC does. You don't know if they already have an aircraft on frequency with the same last 3.

[@RuffianSoldier]

Sure thing! Subbed

[@Tscharlieh]

Could be yours for just 5 million...

[@usernameunknkown]

This is an EXCELLENT video. Straight to the point. We'll done. Sub'd.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Glad to have you as a subscriber!

[@longreach207]

TBM is my new love Thank you, subscribed! On to COLDSTART! 🛫❤

[@Sijeann000]

Climbing at 200 knots is new to me😂😂

[@johnderperez]

Thanks for sharing this experience - I’d love to fly this in real life someday lol

[@saturn_v3362]

I'm hoping to own a plane when I become a pilot but as a person who is to young for any flight school are there anything you would recommend for me to hopefully follow my dream and be prepared

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I grew up playing MS flight simulator A LOT and that was a way to pursue it even when I was very young. I started flight training at 14 in a super cub with an individual instructor and later joined a flight school at 15 and soloed on my 16th birthday. Even "back then" flight sim was so fun but it's nothing compared to what they just released this month. Go pick up a copy of flight sim and binge on that until you can go do the real thing! It's still extremely fun.

[@saturn_v3362]

@@AirplaneAcademy I would buy a copy but my pc cant run minecraft and I held together by tape

[@maxhaines3794]

@Airplane Academy Can u say me pls for what the "pod" on left wing is?? I just call it pod cause it looks a little like a targeting pod, which it cant be😆 would be nice to know it.

[@leogosrjp4093]

I believe it’s a wing-mounted weather radar, in most multi-engine aircraft it’s in the nose but this being a single engine they put it on the wing. It looks like the GWX70 color Weather Radar by Garmin. I’m like 95% sure that’s what it is.

[@maxhaines3794]

Leogos RJP thanks man! U should be right, checked it👍🏻

[@bradwilliams4921]

Great video. Thank you!

[@hectorherbert6585]

this TBM has the 'homesafe' system...??

[@hankarmstrong3681]

I wanna ride in the right seat. $$$???

[@marryingabroad9387]

this plane costs 4.1 million dollars and about 400K annually to maintain and fly it. For that kind of money you can get a Citation

[@jjsemperfi]

I feel ya there man. I’m a helicopter pilot and 2-4K’ AGL is my normal cruise. I’d probably get some butterflies in my stomach flying that high in a “smallish” aircraft. Beautiful machine though. Great video.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you! I recently went to 10k in a super cub and wanted to open the doors and windows but I couldn't bring myself to do it haha.

[@russella7263]

Flying an R22 at 10K AGL over Portland Oregon was enough to give me the heebie jeebies.

[@jjsemperfi]

@@russella7263 🤢

[@MrBogardus]

This my main plane in msfs 2020 I love it and I could follow the procedures!! Lol

[@robinmyman]

Thanks for the experience…retired Accountant student pilot…🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@dariuszscharsig568]

Damn! OK, now I need to get rich quickly, I need to fly that thing :-D

[@NM-apache]

I fly a Cessna 210. Would love to fly this. Very nice job.

[@GregDinAZ]

Very cool!! Time to increase your monthly plane budget! 😂😂

[@Jerry_SWMO]

I don't like spoiler intros. I watched 10 seconds and was done. Sorry.

[@sandking8631]

Beyond my pay grade, as a student pilot for private but cool video - nice machine.

[@rsa2hi]

I love the TBM 940 but my heart is in this type of airplane to the Pilatus PC12 :-)

[@scottp6539]

Somebody needs to explain to this rookie when you're in a fast airplane you have to stay ahead of it.

[@CliffordTheCowboyCloser]

cool

[@hansumjoe]

Can u avoid turbulence in this smaller aircraft?, forget the speed

[@robbessell3922]

Do you think a Sim player could fly one and land it with how easy the G3000 is to use?

[@TonyEssig]

Like the tbm for sure. Great job on flight and vid thanks for sharing

[@DocPhil1956]

Price tag 4 million Hmmm. Park that baby in my garage. Nota!!

[@mmanut]

New Subscriber, Beautiful Plane✈️. Vinny 🇺🇸

[@JohnnyRhett]

That crosswind looked pretty brutal.

[@matthewdamm9153]

Couldn't even see the centerline in the windscreen during landing and touchdown, nice centerline discipline!