2026 Convention Program: What to Expect

Here is a look at what's taking shape in Phoenix over Halloween weekend, October 28 to 31. 

A safety-first program

We are assembling a standout roster of voices from across aviation, including leaders from the Daher, Garmin, Pratt and Whitney, renowned human factors and airmanship experts, top TBM instructors, and our OEM and avionics partners. Expect keynotes and general sessions covering owner-flown turbine safety trends, real-world accident reviews and the decisions behind them, recurrent training traps, and where the data shows TBM pilots thriving (and where we can do better).

Hands-on working sessions

Some of the most valuable time you will spend is in our small-group working sessions. In a relaxed, roundtable format, you and fellow owners will talk through the real decisions that shape safe flying, from weather and icing to loss of control, energy management, and turning data into better judgment rather than anxiety. You will leave with practical habits you can use on your very next flight.

Sessions and breakouts

Dig deeper with focused breakouts on getting the most from your avionics, home simulator proficiency, maintenance insights from the experts who know the PT6 and the airframe best, international travel in a TBM, and dedicated sponsor sessions from Daher and Pratt & Whitney.

Recognition and celebration

We will honor our community's achievements, including our TAAP recipients, and gather each evening for the moments that make convention special: a welcome reception, an offsite Halloween celebration, and our Friday night dinner and Foundation auction, Raise the Fleet.

For companions

A full companion program runs alongside the main sessions, with wellness, cultural, and social experiences designed just for the family members who make our community whole.

Agenda

Wednesday, October 28, 2026
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Golf with JJ, Dan and Chad
 
1:00 PM - 5:30 PM
TBMOPA Desert Adventure (hosted by AVEX)
Social & Wellness
5:45 PM - 6:30 PM
First Timers Champagne Reception
Social & Wellness
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Sonoran Sundown: Welcome Reception and Dinner
Social & Wellness
Registration
General Session
Thursday, October 29, 2026
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Breakfast with Vendors
General Session
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
TBMOPA Flight Briefing: Opening Ceremony
General Session
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Companions Lounge
Companions
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
What Columbia Teaches Every Pilot with Nigel Packham
General Session
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Break with Vendors
General Session
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Beginner Ground School
Companions
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Blancolirio Accident Review: Juan Browne
General Session
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Advanced Ground School
Companions
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch with Vendors
Owners & Pilots
Companions' Luncheon
Companions
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch Talk: Charitable Flying with Angel Flight West
Owners & Pilots
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Passport to Safety I: Personal Minimums & ADM with Will Goldberg
Owners & Pilots
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Desert Botanical Garden: Sonoran Sip & Stroll
Companions
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Nicolas Chabbert (Daher): Risks vs. Threats in a TBM
Owners & Pilots
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Break with Vendors
General Session
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Daher: Customer Support Session
Owners & Pilots
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Passport to Safety II: Weather & Preflight with John Grunsfeld
Owners & Pilots
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Under the Desert Sky: Dinner and Costumes
Companions
Friday, October 30, 2026
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Yoga
Social & Wellness
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Breakfast with Vendors
General Session
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Angle of Attack is Everything: Professional Habits, Recent Accidents and the Aging Pilot
Owners & Pilots
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Break with Vendors
General Session
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Companions Lounge
Companions
Simulator Sessions at SIMCOM/CAE
Companions
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Cognitive Overload with Brian Sagi
Owners & Pilots
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
PT6A & PT6E Operation Overview & Updates
Owners & Pilots
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
The Mahjong Social
Companions
Old Town Scottsdale Shopping & Gallery Stroll
Companions
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Lunch with Vendors
General Session
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Beyond the Weather Briefing: Using a Decision Support System for Safer Flights
Owners & Pilots
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Passport to Safety III: Airspeed Control & Approach Targets with Adam Kudzin
Owners & Pilots
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
ATC Update with SoCal TRACON & Tower
Owners & Pilots
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Break with Vendors
General Session
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Passport to Safety IV: Alternates & Missed Approaches with Brian Sagi
Owners & Pilots
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Raise the Fleet: TBM Foundation Auction and Dinner
Social & Wellness
Saturday, October 31, 2026
5:15 AM - 9:30 AM
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride
Companions
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Breakfast with Vendors
General Session
8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
TBM Effective Maintenance Panel
Owners & Pilots
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Companions Lounge
Companions
9:15 AM - 9:45 AM
Break with Vendors
General Session
9:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Airframe Breakout Session: TBM 700-850 Legacy
Owners & Pilots
Airframe Breakout Session: TBM 850-910 G1000
Owners & Pilots
Airframe Breakout Session: TBM 930-980 and 60 Series
Owners & Pilots
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Garmin Guided Visuals
Owners & Pilots
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Lunch with Vendors
General Session
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch Talk: Advocate Consulting Legal Group
Owners & Pilots
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Air Journey
Owners & Pilots
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
TBM Instructor Panel
 
Sunday, November 1, 2026
7:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Shuttles to Cutter Aviation
General Session

Please note that this schedule is subject to change