Polish Pilots Complete Circumnavigation In A Daher Socata TBM 930 An extra ordinary feat was done when two Polish pilots completed a four-week-long circumnavigation of the planet in a Daher Socata TBM 930 fast turboprop. The duo, flew points that took them south of the Equator for most of the journey. The trip amassed 25,831 nautical miles and involved landing in 25 countries with 26 stopovers. Tomek Dudziak and Arjan Bakker were the pilots and they started the journey on November 6th and ended on December 3rd. The longest flight duration was six hours (from the Totegegie Atoll in French Polynesia to Easter Island), while the longest distance was a 1,629-nm. flight from Easter Island to Chile’s Robinson Crusoe Island. Such extended flights required significant advance preparation, particularly since fuel is not permanently available at certain stopovers – and had to be brought in by boat. Average ground speed for the global circumnavigation was 271 kts.
Daher Socata has recognized the pilot's feat after all it was attempted and successfully completed in one of their aircraft. “We recognize Tomek and Arjan for their outstanding flight around the world, as well as their airmanship in completing this exciting journey,” commented Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice President of the Daher Airplane Business Unit. “In the hands of two such adventurous pilots, the TBM 930 demonstrated its long-range performance, reliability and safety – which we hope will serve as an inspiration to others in discovering the world with our very fast turboprop aircraft.” For more information: SOCATA North America, Inc. North Perry Airport, 7501 South Airport Rd. Pembroke Pines, FL 33023 / USA www.tbm.aero ***
