Garmin Announces GFC 600 Autopilot Certification for Select Piper Meridian Aircraft

Garmin International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd., has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for the GFC 600 autopilot in the Piper Meridian (PA-46-500TP). Additionally, Smart Rudder Bias is now certified for Cessna 414A aircraft equipped with the GFC 600 autopilot, further growing the list of compatible aircraft to offer this safety-enhancing technology.

The GFC 600 digital autopilot is intended for piston single/twin-engine and turbine aircraft that have a wide range of speed and performance characteristics, and provides a long list of existing general aviation aircraft with a simple, lightweight, cost-effective autopilot upgrade path. Incorporating solid state attitude with robust self-monitoring capabilities, the GFC 600 provides superior autopilot performance, greater reliability, and tremendous safety tools.

Part of the Garmin Autonomí family of autonomous flight technologies, Smart Rudder Bias provides pilots assistance against the hazardous effects of one-engine inoperative (OEI) flight when the aircraft is appropriately equipped. The system continuously monitors engine parameters using Engine Indication System (EIS) data displayed on a G500 TXi or G600 TXi flight display and activates when the system detects a predetermined power differential between each engine. Once activated, rudder force is dynamically adjusted to aid a pilot in providing enough force to the rudder to help control a sideslip. A yellow annunciator for the associated inoperative engine is conveniently displayed along with autopilot annunciations on the G500 TXi or G600 TXi flight display, helping the pilot identify the issue quicker.

Garmin continues to add additional aircraft models to the growing STC list for the GFC 600 autopilot. To view the most up-to-date aircraft STC list, to view certifications that are expected to being in the next 12-months, or to express interest in a specific aircraft make/model, visit www.garmin.com/GFC600.

For additional information about Smart Rudder Bias and the Garmin Autonomí family of automated flight technologies, visit www.Garmin.com/SmartRudderBias.