Business Aviation
Daher Launches TBM 980 with Garmin G3000 PRIME Avionics
Daher introduces the TBM 980 turboprop featuring Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics, Starlink connectivity, and advanced safety systems, with deliveries in 2026.

This article is based on an official press release from Daher and verified industry data.
Daher Unveils TBM 980: The First Turboprop with Garmin G3000 PRIME
Daher has officially launched the TBM 980, the newest flagship in its high-performance single-engine turboprop family. Unveiled today at the company’s production facility in Tarbes, France, the aircraft introduces significant technological upgrades, most notably the integration of Garmin’s third-generation G3000® PRIME avionics suite. According to the manufacturers, deliveries are scheduled to begin immediately following EASA certification and FAA validation.
The launch event, attended by customers and streamed globally, highlighted the aircraft’s new motto, “Fly Differently.” Nicolas Chabbert, CEO of Daher Aircraft, emphasized that the updates focus on intuitive operation and enhanced connectivity for both pilots and passengers. The TBM 980 replaces the TBM 960 as the top-tier offering in the lineup, with a reported price point of approximately $5.82 million.
A New Era of Avionics: Garmin G3000 PRIME
The defining feature of the TBM 980 is its flight deck. It is one of the first aircraft to feature the Garmin G3000® PRIME, a system designed to reduce pilot workload through improved ergonomics and processing power. The system utilizes three 14-inch edge-to-edge touchscreen displays that offer higher resolution and faster response times than previous generations.
According to Daher, the user interface has been overhauled to resemble modern mobile applications. Pilots can now access essential functions, such as radios, flight plans, and transponder settings, via “slide-out” menus and shortcuts, eliminating the need to navigate through deep sub-menus.
A significant physical change in the cockpit is the removal of the traditional checklist button. It has been replaced by a four-position joystick located on the yoke. This allows pilots to scroll through checklists and mark items as complete without removing their hands from the controls, a feature aimed at maintaining situational awareness during critical phases of flight.
“Its touchscreen-controlled flight deck truly revolutionizes the interface between pilots and the avionics, while the passenger experience is further elevated in the six-seat cabin.”
, Nicolas Chabbert, CEO of Daher Aircraft
Cabin Connectivity and Passenger Comfort
Beyond the cockpit, the TBM 980 addresses the growing demand for in-flight connectivity. The cabin is factory-ready for the installation of a Starlink Mini terminal, enabling high-speed satellite internet access. This upgrade aligns with the aircraft’s target market of owner-pilots and corporate operators who require consistent connectivity.
Additional cabin enhancements include:
- Power: New 100-watt USB-C ports capable of charging laptops and high-draw mobile devices.
- Monitoring: An upgraded “Passenger Comfort Display” that provides real-time enroute flight data.
Performance and Safety Systems
While the avionics and cabin have seen major updates, the TBM 980 retains the propulsion and airframe characteristics of its predecessor, the TBM 960. It is powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-66XT intelligent turboprop engine, paired with a five-blade Hartzell composite propeller. Both are managed by a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system.
Safety Automation
The aircraft incorporates Daher’s “e-copilot®” safety suite. This includes the HomeSafeâ„¢ emergency autoland system, which can automatically guide the aircraft to a landing if the pilot becomes incapacitated. Other automated protections include:
- Ice Protection: Automated de-icing systems and flight envelope monitoring.
- Weather Radar-Systems: The Garmin GWXâ„¢ 8000 all-digital radar with StormOptix technology, which automatically adjusts settings to profile storm cells in 3D.
- Emergency Descent Mode (EDM): Automatically descends the aircraft to a safe altitude in the event of cabin depressurization.
Daher also noted that the TBM 980 is approved for “PRIST-free” operations, meaning it does not require anti-icing fuel additives, simplifying logistics for operators.
AirPro News Analysis
The introduction of the TBM 980 signals a shift in the single-engine turboprop market where raw performance gains (speed and range) are plateauing due to aerodynamic and engine limitations. Instead, manufacturers like Daher are competing on “digital luxury” and ease of operation.
By being the launch platform for the Garmin G3000 PRIME, Daher reinforces its reputation for aggressive technological adoption. The shift to app-based interfaces and Starlink integration suggests that the next battleground for turboprops will be user experience (UX), making complex aircraft feel as intuitive as a high-end car or business jet. This strategy directly targets the owner-pilot demographic, who are often willing to pay a premium for reduced workload and cutting-edge interfaces.
Market Context and Availability
The TBM 980 represents the sixth iteration of the TBM 900-series since Daher acquired the product line in 2014. Didier Kayat, Daher Chairman and CEO, stated that the launch underscores the company’s commitment to “continual application of innovation.”
According to industry data, the TBM 980 enters the market with a price tag of roughly $5.82 million, while the TBM 960 remains available for order at approximately $5.62 million. With EASA certification already issued and FAA validation complete, Daher expects to begin deliveries in January 2026.
Sources
Photo Credit: Daher
Business Aviation
Jet Linx Grounds Fleet for 10th Annual Safety Summit
Jet Linx Aviation halted all operations June 9, 2026, for its 10th safety summit, focusing on undetected engine corrosion and human factors.

Private-Jets aviation operator Jet Linx Aviation voluntarily grounded its entire nationwide fleet on June 9, 2026, halting operations for a full day to conduct its 10th Annual Safety Summit. The Omaha, Nebraska-based company utilized the operational pause to engage its 500 employees in safety evaluations, focusing heavily on human factors and the necessity of exceeding standard manufacturer checklists.
In a press release issued on June 10, 2026, Jet Linx stated it remains the only United States operator under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 135 or Part 121 regulations to voluntarily halt operations for an entire day annually to focus exclusively on safety. The 2026 summit utilized a recent fatal accident as a primary case study to challenge standard private aviation safety practices and assumptions.
Challenging standard maintenance assumptions
The summit featured a presentation by Barry Ellis, President of Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter. The discussion centered on a February 2024 accident involving a Hop-A-Jet aircraft in Naples, Florida, which resulted in two crew member fatalities.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published its final report on the accident in April 2026, determining the cause to be undetected engine corrosion. The summit highlighted that the engines had been inspected, deemed airworthy, and successfully completed 33 flights in the 25 days preceding the accident.
Ellis addressed the summit attendees regarding the dangers of relying solely on standard procedures when underlying risks remain hidden from flight crews and maintenance personnel.
“When assumptions go unchallenged, they become invisible, and invisible risk is the most dangerous risk of all,” Ellis stated. “The most dangerous assumptions are often the ones we don’t realize we’re making.”
Industry collaboration and operational safety metrics
The event at the Jet Linx Global Safety & Operations Center included presentations from aviation safety auditing firms. Sonnie Bates, CEO of WYVERN, and Patrick Chiles from ARGUS International participated in the discussions, emphasizing the role of independent safety evaluations in Part 135 operations.
Jet Linx Executive Chairman Jamie Walker led the initiative, which marks the company’s tenth consecutive year of executing a fleet-wide grounding for safety training. According to the company’s June 10 announcement, Jet Linx has maintained 27 years of accident-free operations, accumulating 200 million miles flown without an accident.
The safety summit follows recent operational expansions for the charter operator. In May 2026, Jet Linx launched a private jet flight-sharing program called MemberSeat Exchange, designed to increase client flexibility across its network.
AirPro News analysis
The decision by a Part 135 operator to ground an entire revenue-generating fleet for a full day represents a significant financial commitment to safety culture. By utilizing the recently concluded NTSB investigation into the Hop-A-Jet accident as a focal point, Jet Linx is addressing a critical vulnerability in aviation maintenance: the gap between regulatory compliance and actual airworthiness. The NTSB findings regarding undetected engine corrosion, despite recent inspections and 33 successful flights, demonstrate that adherence to manufacturer checklists does not universally guarantee safety. We view this public emphasis on invisible risk and human factors as a necessary evolution in business aviation safety management systems, particularly as operators expand their service offerings and flight volumes.
Sources: Jet Linx Aviation, LLC
Photo Credit: Jet Linx Aviation
Business Aviation
PS Opens Private Terminal at Miami International Airport
PS unveiled a 34,000-sq-ft private terminal at MIA on June 17, 2026, inside the historic Pan Am headquarters, opening June 30.

Miami-Dade County officials and luxury terminal operator PS held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 17, 2026, to unveil a new 34,000-square-foot private terminal at Miami International Airports (MIA), located within the former Pan American Airways headquarters.
According to a press release from the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, the facility marks the fourth global location for PS and the first in Florida. The terminal, which begins travel operations on June 30, 2026, allows commercial passengers to bypass the main airport concourses through private Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs screening, followed by direct-to-aircraft chauffeur service.
Revitalizing an aviation landmark
The new PS MIA terminal occupies a site of significant historical importance to the aviation industry. The former Pan American Airways (Pan Am) headquarters was designated a Miami-Dade County Historic Site in 2014. Groundbreaking for the revitalization project took place on July 10, 2025.
Amina Belouizdad Porter, CEO of PS, stated that establishing a terminal within the former home of one of aviation’s most influential airlines is deeply symbolic of the company’s mission to redefine modern travel. She noted that Miami was a natural expansion point given its status as the second-busiest U.S. airport for international travelers and a primary gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean.
The interior design, led by Cliff Fong alongside RJ Heisenbottle Architects and Creative Art Partners, incorporates elements of Miami’s regional style. Fong noted that the building carries a strong identity, prompting an approach that leaned into its heritage alongside the nostalgia of the area. Artist Nina Surel contributed to the space, drawing color palettes directly from the pastels of Miami’s Art Deco District and the unique subtropical light.
Expanding luxury infrastructure at MIA
The opening of PS MIA aligns with broader infrastructure developments at the airport. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava highlighted the terminal as a new chapter for residents and visitors seeking a concierge experience.
“We are always looking for innovative partnerships that elevate the traveling experience for all MIA passengers, and the revitalization of the Pan Am terminal is especially exciting,” Levine Cava said.
The facility features five Private Suites and a central lounge area known as The Salon. Passengers utilizing the service are transported across the tarmac to their commercial flights in BMW vehicles. The launch follows the June 1, 2026, opening of a PS location at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The company also plans to introduce PS Direct later in the year, an integrated service transporting guests directly between their aircraft and local residences or hotels.
The private terminal’s completion coincides with an ongoing $14 billion capital improvement and maintenance upgrade program at Miami International Airport.
AirPro News analysis
The integration of a high-end private terminal into a commercial aircraft airport reflects a growing market segmentation where ultra-premium commercial passengers are willing to pay for fixed-base operator (FBO) style privacy and convenience. By repurposing the historic Pan Am headquarters, MIA and PS have managed to preserve a piece of aviation heritage while generating new revenue streams. We expect to see similar public-private partnerships emerge at other major international hubs as airports seek to monetize existing real estate and cater to high-net-worth travelers without disrupting standard terminal operations.
Sources: Miami International Airport, Miami International Airport (2025), PS
Photo Credit: Miami International Airport
Business Aviation
IADA Certifies 16 New Aircraft Brokers, Total Reaches 233
IADA awarded its Certified Aircraft Broker designation to 16 professionals in 2026, raising the global credentialed total to 233.

The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) has awarded its Certified Aircraft Broker designation to 16 business aviation sales professionals, bringing the global total of credentialed brokers to 233.
Announced in a press release on June 15, 2026, the latest round of certifications spans North America, Europe, and Latin America. The credentialing program is designed to establish standardized ethical practices and transaction expertise within the preowned business aircraft market.
Regional distribution and certification standards
The 2026 certification cohort includes 11 brokers from North America, three from Europe, and two from Latin America. The geographic spread reflects the international nature of preowned aircraft transactions and the association’s push for standardized practices across different regulatory environments.
IADA Executive Director Lou Seno stated that the designation provides clients with assurance regarding their advisor’s industry knowledge and commitment to ongoing professional development.
“Every aircraft transaction represents a significant financial decision, and buyers and sellers deserve to know they are working with professionals who have demonstrated both expertise and integrity,” Seno said.
Market context and accountability
The Certification process requires brokers to demonstrate their proficiency in aircraft transactions and adhere to rigorous industry standards. According to the association, this process works in tandem with its Accredited Dealer program to establish a framework for transparency in business aviation sales. Seno noted that the combination of these programs creates a unique level of accountability designed to ensure ethical conduct.
The addition of new certified brokers follows IADA’s October 6, 2025, market forecast, which projected a stabilized preowned business aircraft market through September 2026. The forecast anticipated normalized inventory levels and rationalized pricing, conditions where standardized broker practices often play a critical role in facilitating orderly transactions.
AirPro News analysis
As the preowned business aircraft market transitions from the high-volatility environment seen earlier in the decade to a more normalized state, the role of the broker becomes increasingly focused on technical expertise rather than simply securing scarce inventory. We view IADA’s continued expansion of its certified broker pool as a necessary maturation of the business aviation sales sector. By formalizing the qualifications required to broker high-value aviation assets, the industry is aligning itself more closely with the compliance expectations of corporate flight departments and institutional buyers.
Photo Credit: IADA
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