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Copyright 2014 – David Eyre
Jean-Jacques (JJ) Bely, the founder and CEO of Franco-Asian Enterprises Singapore Pte Ltd (FAE), is the proud owner of a brand new, US$3.7 million SOCATA TBM 900, the first in Australia.
More information and photos of the aircraft and why JJ chose it are available inside an article in AviatorMag and a media release by SOCATA.
JJ very kindly invited me along for a flight in his TBM900 to Manjimup and back.
After starting the engine, we taxied out to runway 06L.
It was interesting to see that many engineers and pilots stopped what they were doing to admire the TBM900 as it taxied past.
The TBM900 uses a Garmin G1000 glass cockpit, the same system used in a number of other aircraft, including the Cirrus SR22.
When JJ throttled up for take-off, it felt as if the aircraft wanted to leap into the air. The acceleration was powerful and rapid.
After takeoff at around 2:04pm, we turned right and passed east of Forrestdale Lake and headed south towards Manjimup.
Within 15 minutes, we had climbed to 21,000 feet.
As we passed east of Mandurah, apart from a few clouds, we were able to see most of the southwest coast surrounding Geographe Bay, around to Cape Naturaliste.
In very little time, we were on descent through clouds to the greener landscape around Manjimup.
After passing overhead the Manjimup Airfield, JJ turned left and landed on runway 12 at 2:42pm, 38 minutes since we took off from Jandakot.
JJ backtracked along the runway to the apron, left the engine running, and performed his checks.
We took off from runway 12 at 2:54pm and headed north towards Jandakot, this time at the lower altitude of 16,500 feet, where we had the benefit of a 15 knot tailwind.
We passed the town of Collie and a number of dams.
Passing over Jandakot’s control tower, we turned to join the downwind, base leg and approach for runway 24R, and landed at 3:31pm, a flight time of 37 minutes.
A beautiful and impressive aircraft!
The author would like to thank JJ Bely for a fantastic flight.
Built in 2014, ex N198JJ.
Photo © David Eyre
Built in 2014, ex N198JJ.
Photo © David Eyre
Built in 2014, ex N198JJ.
Photo © David Eyre
Built in 2014, ex N198JJ.
Photo © David Eyre
Built in 2014, ex N198JJ.
Photo © David Eyre
Taken at 3,320 feet, shortly after take-off from Jandakot’s runway 06L, after we turned right onto a heading of 113 degrees towards Armadale.
The Garmin G1000 avionics suite shows that true air speed is 148 knots, ground speed 135 knots.
Built in 2014, ex N198JJ.
Photo © David Eyre
Taken at around 4,000 feet, shortly after take-off from Jandakot’s runway 06L. This view facing west shows Forrestdale Lake is nearest to the wingtip, with Jandakot Airport and Fremantle are visible at upper right, Rockingham at upper left and Garden Island next to it.
Photo © David Eyre
Taken at 6,930 feet, heading 208 degrees en route to waypoint MANDU, at a true air speed of 161 knots and ground speed of 161 knots.
Photo © David Eyre
Taken at just over 20,000 feet, heading south to Manjimup. View southwest to the city of Mandurah and Peel Inlet (visible centre left), with Murrayfield Airfield slightly closer to the aircraft. Visible just ahead of the leading edge is Serpentine Airfield.
Photo © David Eyre
Taken at 21,000 feet, heading south to Manjimup. View southwest to the city of Mandurah, with Murrayfield Airfield just ahead of the leading edge.
Photo © David Eyre
Taken at just 21,000 feet, heading south to Manjimup. Heading 176 degrees, 154.5 knots.
Photo © David Eyre
Taken at 21,000 feet, heading south to Manjimup. This view was taken facing southwest across Geographe Bay. Lake Preston is at lower right. Leschenault Inlet and the City of Bunbury are visible at centre left edge. The peninsula in the distance is Cape Naturaliste, with the twon of Dunsboroughin the centre of photo. Busselton is centre left, but obscured by cloud.
Photo © David Eyre
Around 3,000 feet on descent to Manjimup. This view was taken facing west-south-west over Linfarne. Note the circular farm paddock in the foreground.
Photo © David Eyre
About 2,500 feet on descent to Manjimup Airfield. This view was taken facing south-south-east towards the district of Middlesex (Western Australia).
Photo © David Eyre
About 2,500 feet on descent to Manjimup Airfield. This view was taken facing south-south-east towards the district of Middlesex (Western Australia).
Photo © David Eyre
About 2,300 feet on descent to Manjimup Airfield. This view was taken facing north towards Manjimup town.
Photo © David Eyre
About 2,000 feet on descent to Manjimup Airfield.
Photo © David Eyre
Visible (left to right) are:
VH-MCB Beech Baron 58 (MSN TH-1475) owned by Lester Northey, of South Bunbury, WA.
VH-DUQ / BOMBER 601 Air Tractor AT-802 (MSN 802-0241) of Dunn Aviation, named ‘Ballidu’.
VH-TEV Cessna 210L Centurion II (MSN 21061374) of JKatherine Aviation Pty Ltd, Katherine, NT.
VH-BYC Cessna 182Q Skylane (MSN 18265412) owned by Phillip O’Meehan, Borden, WA.
Photo © David Eyre
Photo © David Eyre
Photo © David Eyre
Photo © David Eyre
Photo © David Eyre
About to take off again, 5 minutes after landing, returning to Jandakot.
Photo © David Eyre
Taken shortly after take-off from Manjimup, heading north to Jandakot. View northeast from overhead the Manjimup Golf Course, with Wilgarup River visible left of centre.
Photo © David Eyre
About 13,780 feet, climbing to 16,500 feet, heading back to Jandakot after departing Manjimup. True air speed 183 knots, ground speed 197 knots.
Photo © David Eyre
Taken from an altitude of 16,500 feet, en route from Manjimup, heading north to Jandakot. View northeast over the town of Collie, with one of the coal mines visible at top centre.
Photo © David Eyre
Taken from an altitude of 16,500 feet, en route from Manjimup, heading north to Jandakot. View northeast over the town of Collie, with one of the coal mines visible near the centre of photo, ahead of the leading edge of the wing.
Photo © David Eyre
Taken from an altitude of 16,500 feet, en route from Manjimup, heading north to Jandakot. View northeast over the lake, which was named after the family who lived at a farm which is now submerged under the lake. The dam was built in 1990 and provides water to 30 towns in the south of WA.
Photo © David Eyre
Taken from an altitude of 16,500 feet, en route from Manjimup, heading north to Jandakot. View northeast over the lake, which was named after the family who lived at a farm which is now submerged under the lake. The dam was built in 1990 and provides water to 30 towns in the south of WA.
Photo © David Eyre
Taken from an altitude of 16,500 feet, en route from Manjimup, heading north to Jandakot. View northeast. The dam was built in 1971 and is the largest dam supplying Perth with water. Dwellingup Airstrip is visible at the right edge of photo – this is used by the Department of Parks and Wildlife for its fire spotter aircraft.
Photo © David Eyre
View facing west towards Mandurah. Taken from an altitude of 7,500 feet, on descent to Jandakot, from Manjimup. Ravenswood drag racing strip is just visible under the weather radar on the wing.
Photo © David Eyre
View facing north east. Taken from an altitude of 7,500 feet, on descent to Jandakot, from Manjimup. This dam was built in 1994 and supplies water to Perth.
Photo © David Eyre
View facing north east. On descent to Jandakot, from Manjimup.
Photo © David Eyre
View facing north east as we fly over the control tower, descending and about to turn right to join the downwind leg for runway 24R. Visible are the Pilatus PC-12 aircraft of the Royal Flying Doctor Service at bottom centre, three yellow Air Tractor AT-802 water bombers of Dunn Aviation, a Grumman G-111 Albatross (VH-NMO) of Catalina Airlines, and the large hangar complex of the WA Police Air Wing at upper right.
Photo © David Eyre
View facing east across the Northern Apron, as we join the downwind leg for runway 24R. At upper left are the red-roofed buildings of Singapore Flying College, which trains pilots for Singapore Airlines. The large hangar above the wingtip is the WA Police Air Wing.
Photo © David Eyre
View facing north east across the Northern Apron, as we join the downwind leg for runway 24R. Visible are the Heliwest hangar at centre left, and the red-roofed buildings of Singapore Flying College, which trains pilots for Singapore Airlines.
Photo © David Eyre
View facing east across the Northern Apron, as we fly the downwind leg for runway 24R. A number of geophysical survey aircraft are visible, distinctive with the magnetometer tail ‘stingers’ – this includes the CASA 212 used by CGG Airborne at the right of photo.
In centre of photo is Polytechnic West with the Boeing 737-229 tail poking out the hangar. Upper right is Casair’s maintenance facility with one of their Metro aircraft parked outside. At far left are the red-roofed buildings of Singapore Flying College, which trains pilots for Singapore Airlines, with some of their Cessna 172R and Beech Baron G58 aircraft visible opposite.
Photo © David Eyre
View facing ESE across the Northern Apron, as we join the downwind leg for runway 24R. At left are the red-roofed buildings of Singapore Flying College, which trains pilots for Singapore Airlines. At right edge is the WA Police Air Wing hangar. At left edge is Heliwest.
Photo © David Eyre
View facing ESE across the Northern Apron, as we flew the downwind leg for runway 24R. At bottom left is Heliwest and centre right edge is Premiair’s hangar, next to the red-roofed buildings of Singapore Flying College, which trains pilots for Singapore Airlines.
Photo © David Eyre
View facing west across the airport, as we join the base leg for runway 24R.
Photo © David Eyre
Photo © David Eyre
Photo © David Eyre
The Viewing Area is visible at upper left of photo.
Photo © David Eyre
Built in 2014, ex N198JJ.
Photo © David Eyre
Built in 2014, ex N198JJ.
Photo © David Eyre
Built in 2014, ex N198JJ.
Photo © David Eyre
Built in 2014, ex N198JJ.
Photo © David Eyre
Built in 2014, ex N198JJ.
Photo © David Eyre
Built in 2014, ex N198JJ.
Photo © David Eyre
Built in 2014, ex N198JJ.
Photo © David Eyre
Built in 2014, ex N198JJ.
Photo © David Eyre
Hello David,
I am the director of marketing for the TBM and I have been impressed by your report of a flight on board one of our new “babies” .
What would be your conditions to use some of your excellent shots of the TBM 900 in our 2015 TBM Guide and on our website – of course with your name under the photo as copyright.
Thank you
Greetings: Philippe de Segovia
Director Product Marketing
Airplane Business Unit
TARBES – FRANCE
Tel : +33 5 62 41 71 42
Mobile : +33 6 70 21 70 47
Fax : +33 5 62 41 71 40
p.de-segovia@socata.daher.com
http://www.tbm.aero
Hi Philippe,
Have sent you an email.
Kind Regards,
David Eyre