News Category: News

SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo, Lakeland, Florida, April 14, 2026 – Daher Aircraft today announced the expansion of its customer support and distributor Network coverage by adding the Kodiak airplane family to the capabilities of Columbia Aircraft Sales and Columbia Air Services.

As a long-standing partner in Daher’s global Network, Columbia Aircraft Sales and Columbia Air Services are among the most experienced authorized distributors and service providers for TBM aircraft – a relationship that began in 1990 with the distinction of being the very first TBM distributor.

With this latest agreement, its portfolio expands to include sales and full-service support for the Kodiak in North America across the following territory: Connecticut; Delaware; Maine; Maryland; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virginia; Washington, D.C.; and West Virginia. The announcement was made during Daher Aircraft’s show-opening press conference at the SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida.

“Columbia Aircraft Sales and Columbia Air Services have consistently set the standard for TBM customers, which is fully aligned with our strategy of delivering long-term value for the growing base of Kodiak and TBM owners/operators,” said Nicolas Chabbert, the CEO of Daher Aircraft. “Adding the ‘go anywhere’ Kodiak multi-mission product line to its portfolio builds on this – pairing our highly capable utility aircraft with a Network partner defined by expertise, reliability and strong customer relationships.”

The approval now enables Columbia Air Services to provide comprehensive factory-authorized support for both Kodiak and TBM aircraft at its Groton, Connecticut headquarters (Groton-New London Airport/KGON), and at the new expansion facility in Martinsburg, West Virginia (Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport/KMRB). This includes maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), avionics upgrades and parts support.

“Expanding our relationship with Daher to include the Kodiak is a natural progression for us,” said Melissa Düzgüner, the CEO and Director of Sales at Columbia Aircraft Sales and Columbia Air Services. “We’ve built a strong foundation supporting the TBM for decades, and we’re excited to bring this same level of service and commitment to Kodiak operators. Daher’s reputation and the strength of its product line give us tremendous confidence as we introduce the Kodiak to our customers.”

She added that the organization’s recently established Martinsburg operation – featuring approximately 19,000 square feet of hangar space – was developed in part to support the new services for Kodiak. This location complements the company’s Groton campus, which includes two hangars of approximately 12,000 square feet each, along with offices and ramp space. Together, they provide comprehensive geographic coverage across Columbia’s U.S. territory – which also extends into Eastern Canada for the TBM. For the TBM/Kodiak distributorship responsibilities, a Columbia Aircraft Sales representative has been relocated from Groton to Martinsburg to provide an on-site presence.

In addition to Columbia Air Services’ maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities, it operates a full-service avionics shop at the Groton location – and plans are underway to further expand these services to the Martinsburg facility. Columbia Air Services also is in the process of adding float certification to its FAA Part 145 approval, enabling full support for Kodiak aircraft operating on floats.

For the distributorship, Columbia Aircraft Sales has taken delivery of its initial Kodiak 100 from Daher – a Kodiak 100 Series III version. The first of Daher’s larger, faster Kodiak 900s will be received later this year.

     The initial Kodiak 100 Series III airplane provided by Daher Aircraft to Columbia Aircraft Sales is shown at the Groton,

     Connecticut facility (at left), along with a TBM 980 that has since been delivered to a customer.

• Editors’ note: Daher Aircraft is present on exhibit stand #MD022-B during the SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo, being held April 14-19 at Florida’s Lakeland Linder International Airport.       

About Daher (www.daher.com)

As an aircraft manufacturer, industrial company, industrial services provider, and logistics specialist, Daher currently employs 14,500 people, with a revenue of €1.9 billion in 2025. Backed by its family ownership, Daher has been innovation-driven since its founding in 1863. With operations in approximately 15 countries across Europe, North America and Asia, Daher designs and develops value-added solutions for its aerospace and industrial customers and partners.

About Daher Aircraft (www.tbm.aero / www.kodiak.aero)

Daher Aircraft manufactures two families of single-engine turboprop airplanes: the fast, very efficient pressurized TBM in Tarbes, France; and the Kodiak utility aircraft in Sandpoint, Idaho, USA.

Daher is on the following social networks:  @DAHER_official  Daher  Daher_Official / DaherTBM / DaherKodiak  @Daherofficial / @DaherTBM / @DaherKodiak

Media contact: Jeffrey Lenorovitz Daher Vice President – Communications U.S. mobile: +1 703 615-3646 Int’l mobile: +33 (0)6 80 85 86 25 email: [email protected]

Columbia Air Services is pleased to announce that Alyssa Queenan has joined the company as Human Resources Generalist, where she will support employee relations, compliance, and day-to-day HR operations. Since beginning her HR career, Alyssa has focused on creating effective workplace practices and fostering positive employee experiences in regulated industries.

Alyssa holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Eastern Connecticut State University and is currently pursuing her SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management – Certified Professional) certification to further expand her HR expertise.

“Alyssa brings a great balance of knowledge and skills while also being extremely engaging and approachable. She has such enthusiasm for our company’s growth, while always keeping the needs and well-being of our employees at the forefront of everything she does.” Melissa Duzguner, CEO

In her new role, Alyssa looks forward to supporting Columbia’s leadership and employees, strengthening HR processes, and helping maintain a compliant, positive workplace culture that benefits both employees and Columbia’s customers across both KGON and KMRB locations. 

Seen here flying with the Patrouille de France, the 2017 TBM 930 N930ZP escorted the French Aerobatic team to the US from France. It arrived in Groton in April and became our demo aircraft. With approximately 50 hours since new, N930ZP is ready to find a permanent home. This aircraft is fully equipped with the most asked for options. The panel is the Garmin G3000 Fully Integrated Flight Deck. Other equipment includes the GSR56 Datalink SatPhone with text messaging, Flight Stream 210, RVSM, Extended Squitter Transponders (ADS-B), Traffic, TAWS, Radar, XM Music/Weather and much more. N930ZP features advanced safety features including Electronic Stability Protection (ESP), Under Speed Protection (USP) and an Angle of Attack Indicator (AOA).

Featuring the crew door and large main entry, the interior is the 2017 Elite Package which allows for owner configuration of the passenger compartment. Seats and side walls are fully upholstered in leather.

The aircraft will delivery with the 2017 TBM Care Program and Extended Warranties Package.  TBM Care includes coverage of scheduled maintenance, including annuals, for up to the 5th annual or 1000 hours.  Extended Warranties cover all major aircraft systems for up to 1000 hours.  Factory training is included.

For more detailed specifications or to arrange a close up look at this exceptional aircraft please contact me at your earliest convenience.  Discover the TBM experience, the perfect blend of speed, range, reliability, comfort and performance.

(800) 787-5001 (tf)
(860) 715-8806 (w)
(860) 941-1813 (m)

http://www.columbiaairservices.com

Sales Manager
Daher Sales

 

Aviation is full of milestones and anniversaries. This year at Oshkosh is no exception.  The 50th anniversary of the Apollo Space Program, the 75th anniversary of the 8th Air Force and the 25th anniversary of the Young Eagles are all being acknowledged this year during AirVenture 2017.  One milestone of special interest to me is the reproduction of the Morane-Saulnier Type L on display at the Daher booth at AirVenture 2017.  The Type L was the first production monoplane (Parasol Aeroplane) equipped with a machine gun to enter World War I in 2017.  2017 was also the year that the United States entered the war to fight alongside its European Allies.  To commemorate both anniversaries, Daher decided to bring this replica to AirVenture.  The replica is the result of a group of dedicated volunteers, both current and past employees of Daher and Morane-Saulnier, some of whom are in their eighties.  Several of this group journeyed to Oshkosh to answer questions on the aircraft and it’s construction, which retains many of the original Type L’s design.  These include the wooden structure, wing-warping system and flying rudder and stabilator controls.  Since the aircraft is being built to fly, several modern upgrades have been added to assure its success.  First flight is hoped for in 2018. What makes the replica even more important is that it proudly stands side by side with the TBM 930 and TBM 910, both of which can trace their roots back to the craftsmanship of Morane-Saulnier.

Ground View 

Yesterday’s blog included the arrival of both the B1 Bomber and the Scaled Composites Proteus.  This morning I decided to get a closer look at both as they were on display at Boeing Square, the central open air display area at AirVenture.

I use the phrase closer look with some discretion.  While the Proteus was behind a series of flags, the B1 had an additional deterrent to keep visitors from getting too friendly.  The aircraft is kept under constant observation by a “well appointed” group of folks that I wouldn’t want to make angry.

The Proteus was as impressive on the ramp as it was in the air.  Combining unusual shapes and design it could well be a piece of sculpture.

Bombers

As mentioned in a previous blog, part of the celebration for the anniversary of the 75th anniversary of the 8th Air Force includes a collection of bombers on display and in the air during AirVenture 2017.  During today’s airshow (which clouded over and made photography tough) crowds at AirVenture had rare opportunity.  Until recently there was only one flying B29 Bomber in the world, “Fifi.”  As with the Morane-Saulnier Type L but on a much larger and costly scale, a group set out to restore and fly another B29.  Known as “Doc”, it took to the air this afternoon.  For 30 minutes the skies above AirVenture had both of the worlds only flying B29’s in air at the same time.  Quite an impressive site.  I’m hoping for clearer skies later in the week and will post photos then.  In the meantime, here are photos of their nose art from sunnier skies this morning.

Heavy rains and thunderstorms are in the forecast for tomorrow.  Until then, fly safe.     https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure

Ken

Sales Manager
Daher Sales

Listen in on any of the tower frequencies at KOSH and it doesn’t take long to figure out that the controllers are not only working high volume of traffic but also a high diversity of traffic. With steady number GA aircraft arriving all morning one easily falls into the pattern of the controllers “… red & white high wing start your base, blue low wing on final cleared to land 36 R Green Square, flight of 3 warbirds need you to hold at Rush Lake until I can free up some space, blue low wing add some power I need you on the Green Square…” And so it goes on. Countless aircraft on the move and it appears that all headed to Oshkosh 2017. Certainly fun to listen and watch the arrivals fall into a flow. But the real entertainment comes when the military arrives. No self-respecting jet jock would ever just fall into the traffic pattern. In fact, I think it is taught in military flight training that when approaching an airshow runway that a landing will never be made on the first pass and not until after you’ve “buzzed” the flight line low, fast and loud. A pair of F35’s arrived today in real style.

Another military airshow flight pattern requirement is to make all turns at at least a 90 degree bank.  How do you think this pilot did?

Before you say that only the pilots of fast high performance small aircraft get to have the fun, the crowds were treated to a high speed, low altitude pass by the B1B Bomber.  This pilot also found the “afterburner” switch as soon as he began his downwind leg.

Scaled Composites earned it name and reputation by building innovative yet functional aircraft.  From the Voyager to SpaceShip One, Scaled Composites was originally founded and grown through the efforts of Burt Rhutan.  Any one spending time here at the AirVenture Museum will quickly learn that he has been on the cutting edge of design and performance since.  The Proteus was originally designed to fly at over 60,000 feet for as long as 18 hours.  The original aircraft was designed to test a series of high altitudes relays for the telecommunications industry.

Crowds were good and the weather was great.  Looking forward to tomorrow.  Until then, fly safe.

Ken

https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/eaa-airventure-news-and-multimedia/airventure-social

Sales Manager
Daher Sales

There were more than 16,000 P-51 Mustangs built during its four decades of active military use. According to the website www.mustangsmustangs.com there are only 296 complete survivors. Of those 296, only 175 are in airworthy condition. Sun n’ Fun was fortunate enough to have 12 of those aircraft both in the air and on display at today’s show. In honor of its 30th anniversary, Stallion 51 from Kissimmee, Florida, a training facility for the P-51, organized the gathering from graduates of its program.

In 1940 the British Government approached North American Aviation to build Curtis P-40 Fighters for the Royal Air Force. Instead of building the older P-40, North American proposed a new, more modern design and thus the P-51 was born. The first prototype flew less than 120 days after the contract was signed. The original aircraft powered by an Alison engine was found to have challenges with high altitude performance. Replacing the Allison with a Rolls Royce Merlin engine solved that problem and created that distinctive P-51 sound that every airshow junkie loves.

Airshow visitors had the opportunity to see aerial demonstrations from Lee Lauderback and Andrew McKenna.  Both pilots fly with the Heritage Flight Team.

According to the US Navy, the difference between an amateur and a professional can be summed up in a few words. To the delight of everyone at the airshow today, the remainder of the US Navy Blue Angles Demonstration Team arrived today. As the F-18’s took to the sky for what we all understood to be a practice session we were corrected by the announcer. “Amateurs practice. Professionals rehearse.” Based on today’s rehearsal, the Blue Angels are real pros.

Fly safe,

Ken

SUN ’n FUN Int’l Fly-In & Expo

http://www.columbiaairservices.com

Sales Manager
Daher Sales