TBM 960 Deploys for First Wildfire Season

Conair Group has deployed two newly converted Daher TBM 960s as lead airplanes for aerial firefighting operations in British Columbia. With the supplemental type and airworthiness certifications from Transport Canada in hand, the turboprop singles are in active service with the BC Wildfire Service for the 2025 wildfire season.

The aircraft are operated by Conair and will serve as birddogs—airborne command-and-control platforms that coordinate airtanker drops and provide real-time strategic oversight.

“We received our first TBM from Daher in November 2024 and our second in January 2025,” said Michael Benson, Conair’s director of business development. “Conair was able to purchase, engineer, convert, certify, and deploy this new aircraft type within six months, including training our pilot crews. That turnaround time is a statement to our team’s expertise and experience.” Read more on AIN Online…