Garmin Autoland moves up to twins

It’s the first time the automatic landing system has been installed as a retrofit and in a twin-engine aircraft. It also requires the modified King Airs to use the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite and autothrottles.

The Garmin Autothrottle is fully integrated with the G1000 system, and it’s designed to eliminate accidental power rollbacks while strictly observing engine torque and interstage turbine temperature limits.

Garmin’s Autoland system was pioneered on Piper M600 turboprops and Cirrus SF50 Vision Jets in 2019 and was awarded the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy for technical achievement. In case of pilot incapacitation, it can take over, evaluate weather, choose a suitable airport and runway, deploy landing gear and flaps, and touch down autonomously while communicating with air traffic control. Brake application and engine shutdown also are automatic.

The Garmin Autoland system can be activated with the touch of a single guarded button, or it can determine that a pilot has become incapacitated and take over autonomously. If inadvertently activated, it can be deactivated by engaging the autopilot.

Garmin said the King Air autothrottle and autoland systems will be available to customers in the third quarter of this year for King Air 200s and in 2024 for King Air 300s.

Garmin didn’t provide retail prices for the new technology.