Autopilot makers gain new type approvals
Autopilot manufacturers reported new approvals to install their offerings in a range of Beechcraft single- and twin-engine general aviation aircraft, and Cessna 190 and 195 variants.
Garmin announced receiving additional FAA supplemental type certification of its GFC 500 system for the Beechcraft Bonanza F33A single-engine airplane. The GFC 600 autopilot received new STCs for twin-engine Beechcraft Baron models 58P, 58PA, 58TC, and 58TCA (1983 model year or earlier only).
The GFC 600 for high-performance piston singles and twin-engine and turbine aircraft across a range of performance capabilities is designed as a stand-alone autopilot with superior integration potential when paired with the G500 TXi/G600 TXi or G500/G600 glass flight displays; Garmin navigators; and various third-party flight displays, instruments, and navigation sources, Garmin said.
In addition to traditional autopilot capabilities such as altitude hold, vertical speed, and heading modes, the autopilots include altitude preselect, VNAV, Level Mode, underspeed and overspeed protection, and other features. When paired with a comparable GPS navigator, pilots can select, couple, and fly instrument approaches including GPS, ILS, VOR, LOC, and back course approaches.
As a standard feature on both the GFC 500 and GFC 600 autopilots, pilots receive Garmin Electronic Stability and Protection, which works independently to assist the pilot in maintaining the aircraft in a stable flight condition. It provides airspeed protection while the pilot is hand-flying the aircraft.
For customers who already have a G5 electronic flight instrument, the GFC 500 starts at a suggested retail price of $6,995 for a two-axis autopilot. The GFC 600 autopilot starts at a suggested retail price of $19,995 for a two-axis autopilot with electric pitch trim.
To view the most up-to-date aircraft STC list, view certification programs that are expected to begin in the next 12 months, or to express interest in a specific aircraft make/model, visit the Garmin website.
The STC Group of Oxnard, California, announced receiving an installation kit STC for the Trio Avionics non-Technical Standard Order (TSO) Trio Pro Pilot digital autopilot for Cessna 190, 195, LC–126A, and LC–126B models, bringing “a robust set of features to the legacy aircraft fleet at an affordable price.”
The company’s STC covers all variants of the Cessna 172, 175, 177, 180, 182, Cessna 185, Grumman AA-5 models, and Piper PA–28 models. STC approval is in the works for the Cessna 210, Navion, Piper Comanche, Beech Bonanza, and other types, the announcement said.
The Trio Pro Pilot autopilot “has a proven record of reliability in the Experimental and warbird fleets,” making it “an excellent off-the-shelf choice to retrofit into the legacy GA fleet based on its record of safety and reliability.”
The two-axis Pro Pilot model uses roll and auto-trim pitch servos to provide precise horizontal and vertical navigation capabilities. Altitude control includes climb and descent functions with altitude pre-select. Vertical navigation can be flown at pilot-selected airspeeds or vertical speeds.
When connected to a WAAS-enabled GPS, Pro Pilot can fly the lateral and vertical portions of RNAV approaches and other procedures. The digital autopilot provides flight envelope protection and an “automatic 180-degree turn” feature that can guide VFR pilots out of inadvertent weather encounters—a feature the company credited with “saving lives in Experimental aircraft.”
An LC–126C project is expected to be completed over the next month, STC Group said.
For more information visit the company website.
