Daher is a large industrial conglomerate that has since invested in several aircraft manufacturing companies. This includes both SOCATA, the developer of the TBM series, and Quest Aircraft, which produces the Kodiak. Currently, the manufacturer produces the TBM single-engine turboprop aircraft in France and the Kodiak in Sandpoint, Idaho.
SOCATA was initially created in 1966 after the French aircraft manufacturer Morane-Saulnier was rebranded after its acquisition by Sud Aviation. The history of Morane-Saulnier can be traced back to 1911, making it one of the earliest aircraft manufacturers in the world. As a company, Morane-Saulnier was responsible for creating one of the first fighter aircraft, the Type L, in 1915, as well as one of the first business jets, the MS.760 Paris, in 1954.
However, SOCATA was officially formed after Morane-Saulnier was absorbed by Sud Aviation in 1966. The new company’s early identity was based on a shift from developing military aircraft to developing general aviation aircraft. Initially, the company focused on developing trainer aircraft and aircraft with short-field capability. This led to the development of the Rayllye series, widely used for flight training and utility operations.
However, as the 1980s rolled around, SOCATA transitioned into producing a more powerful general aviation aircraft. This led to the introduction of the TB (Tarbes) series, which includes the TB9 Tampico, TB10 Tobago, and the TB20 Trinidad. This indicated a design shift from utility aircraft to low-wing touring aircraft.
In 1985, SOCATA joined a joint venture with Mooney International to develop a pressurized and high-speed single-engine turboprop aircraft. This aircraft, the TBM 700, was officially certified in 1990, marking SOCATA’s move into a high-performance aircraft manufacturer. This aircraft began to gain traction in the 1990s, particularly in the United States, as it appealed to owner-operators and corporate pilots seeking lower operating costs than jets.
In 2000, SOCATA became a part of EADS, which would later become Airbus Group. This integrated SOCATA into a larger aerospace industry. Also in the early 2000s, SOCATA introduced the TBM 850, a more powerful variant of the original TBM 700.
In 2008, Daher, a French industrial conglomerate that was founded in 1863, acquired a 70% stake in SOCATA. In 2014, Daher bought the remaining shares of SOCATA from Airbus Group. The following year, Daher retired the SOCATA brand and began marketing the SOCATA TBM as the Daher TBM. Daher changed the strategy of the company, putting a stronger focus on profitability and niche dominance instead of volume production.
After the rebrand of the TBM series, Daher began a modernization and expansion of the aircraft family. From 2016 to 2020, Daher introduced the TBM 900, TBM 910, TBM 930, and TBM 940. These aircraft featured full glass cockpits and autothrottle, further modernizing the aircraft family. Additionally, in 2019, Daher completed the acquisition of Quest Aircraft. This company produces the Kodiak 100, a rugged STOL turboprop-powered aircraft, which complements the TBM series.
In the 2020s, Daher expanded its aircraft offerings, introducing the Kodiak 900 and TBM 960, signaling a dual product strategy.
Today, Daher produces several general aviation aircraft powered by turboprop engines. This includes:
| Aircraft Model | Entry into Service | Aircraft Class | Engines | Capacity | Range |
| TBM 960 | 2022 | Turboprop | Pratt & Whitney PT6E | 5 passengers | 1,730 nautical miles |
| TBM 980 | 2026 | Turboprop | Pratt & Whitney PT6E | 5 passengers | 1,730 nautical miles |
| Kodiak 100 | 2008 | Turborop | Pratt & Whitney PT6A | 6 passengers | 1,130 nautical miles |
| Kodiak 900 | 2022 | Turboprop | Pratty & Whitney PT6A | 10 passengers | 1,129 nautical miles |
The TBM 980 is the company’s latest turboprop-powered aircraft and the latest of the TBM series. It retains the same engine as earlier variants, but features the Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics system. This helps to reduce pilot workload even further.
SOCATA was initially created in 1966 after the acquisition of Morane-Saulnier by Sud Aviation. Morane-Saulnier, founded in 1911, was responsible for several major advancements in the aviation industry. This includes the development of early fighters like the Type L (1913) and the Type N (1914). Morane-Saulnier also produced several fighters during World War II, such as the MS.406, the most-produced French fighter. The company also introduced the MS.760 Paris in 1954, a four-seater twin-jet often considered to be one of the world’s first business jets.
Morane-Saulnier also introduced the Rallye family in the early 1960s. This series continued production after the company’s acquisition in 1966. This family includes:
After SOCATA was formed, the company introduced the TB series in the mid-1970s. This low-wing piston aircraft family solidified the company’s move into the general aviation industry and includes the following aircraft:
However, in the 1990s, SOCATA introduced the TBM family. This series is still produced today, but has included many variants over the years.
In 2015, Daher completed its acquisition of SOCATA. The company then rebranded the TBM series, although it continued the same lineage. This rebranded family includes:
SOCATA has been owned completely by Daher since 2016. Daher is a privately held and family-owned conglomerate. Daher has the following company information:
| Founded | 1863 |
| Headquarters | Orly, France |
| Manufacturing Locations | – Tarbes, France
– Sandpoint, Idaho – Stuart, Florida |
| Company Type | Private Corporation |
| Approximate Employees | 14,000 (2025) |
| 2025 Revenue | €1.8 billion ($2.0 billion USD) |
| 2025 Net Income | Not publicly disclosed |
Daher produces several aircraft lines. This includes the TBM series, which is a high-performance turboprop-powered aircraft typically utilized by owner-operators or corporate flight departments. Even so, the aircraft is sometimes flown by jet card or fractional operators. This includes:
