Page 11 - Volume 18 Number 6

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can be reversed to forward-facing and the aft seats slipped out to permit 396 pounds of bulky cargo to be loaded aft; a divider restraint is rigged for such duty.
An opulent black leather interior, set off by superbly- polished cabinetry, worktables and overhead trim, welcomed us to the six-place cabin. Because most TBM’s are owner-flown, the cockpit has been given attention to make it a more friendly place. The clearance between seats and center pedestal is now wider. The new ergonomic yokes are leather-wrapped, falling nicely to hand, and the massive power lever and trim wheel are right where they need to be. The left/right fuel selector for the wing tanks, holding 291 usable gallons, remains on the face of the pedestal, but automatic balancing moves the valve, so the pilot normally doesn’t touch it. It now sequences every five minutes, instead of ten.
The overhead switch panel takes care of power-up and starting; there is no avionics master to find, as the G1000 system lights up with activation of the lead-acid battery. The clean panel is dominated by a 15-inch MFD, flanked by 10-inch PFD’s. An L3 electronic standby unit provides backup attitude, airspeed and altitude. The EFIS and autopilot controls are handy in the glareshield coaming. There are no storm windows to block the view.
The new power pedestal features an “H” pattern of parallel runs, with the single lever initially positioned
Preferred Airparts LLC 2/3 Vertical
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JUNE 2014
TWIN & TURBINE • 9