After being held online last year due to the Covid pandemic, the TBM Owners and Pilots Association’s (TBMOPA) annual convention made its return last week as a live event for the 2021 edition. Held over four days at West Virginia’s Greenbrier Hotel, the convention drew more than 280 attendees and attracted 101 of the TBM turboprop singles to nearby Greenbrier Valley Airport.
“TBM aviators came out in full force for this year’s convention, once again underscoring their enthusiasm for aviation and their commitment to safe flying,” noted Nicholas Chabbert, senior v-p of Daher’s aircraft division, adding that the event provided an opportunity to discuss the TBM 940’s new Homesafe emergency autoland system. “We were also able to explain how the growing use of data supports safety, including the increasing utilization of the Me & My TBM application by pilots.”
Among the featured speakers were NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, Nexrad weather radar pioneer Dr. David Strahle, medical expert and TBM owner Dr. Ian Fries, and former U.S. Air Force SR-71 Blackbird pilot Brian Shul. Garmin, Pratt & Whitney Canada, and flight planning software provider ForeFlight also made presentations.
The convention raised a record $207,000 for the TBMOPA Foundation, which funds pilot training scholarships and develops safety seminars. Next year’s event is slated for September 21 to 25 in Nashville, Tennessee.
