Garmin is pleased to announce it will soon receive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for the GFC 500 autopilot in the Cessna 182RG. Additionally, FAA STC approval is imminent for the GFC 600 autopilot in the Piper PA-46 310P/350P JetPROP and Socata TBM 700/850. When properly equipped, the GFC 600 also offers new features in the TBM 700/850, including Emergency Decent Mode (EDM) and Low Bank Mode.
New Autopilot Approvals
The GFC 500 and GFC 600 deliver superior in-flight characteristics, self-monitoring capabilities and minimal maintenance needs when compared to older generation autopilot systems. The GFC 500 is intended for single-engine piston aircraft, while the GFC 600 is intended for high performance piston single/twin-engine and turbine aircraft that have a wide range of speed and performance characteristics.
Aircraft models to soon be approved for the GFC 500 autopilot include:
• Cessna 182RG o Models: R182, FR182, TR182
Aircraft models to soon be approved for the GFC 600 autopilot include:
• Piper PA-46 o Models: 310P JetPROP, 350P JetPROP • Socata TBM o Models: 700, A, B, C1, C2, N (TBM 850)
New GFC 600 Features
With the approval of the GFC 600 autopilot in the TBM 700/850, new features will be introduced to GFC 600. Low Bank mode helps increase passenger comfort by automatically lowering the autopilot roll limit at higher altitudes. A separate switch may also be used by the pilot to activate/deactivate Low Bank Mode at any altitude. Additionally, GFC 600-equipped TBM 700/850 aircraft will also feature Emergency Descent Mode (EDM). In the event an aircraft loses cabin pressurization, EDM is capable of automatically descending the aircraft to a preset altitude without pilot intervention to help avert hypoxic situations. In addition to the GFC 600 autopilot, a G600 TXi flight display is also required to receive these new autopilot features in the TBM 700/850.
The GFC 500 autopilot will soon be available for the Cessna 182RG in August. The GFC 600 autopilot in the TBM 700/850 and PA-46 310P/350P JetPROP is also expected to be available in August. Garmin continues to broaden its aircraft approval list for the GFC 600 and GFC 500 autopilots.
