Garmin Aviation Team
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I’m excited to report that the GFC 500 autopilot has received FAA approval for installation. The system is now available for normally aspirated Piper PA-24-180, PA-24-250, PA-24-260, PA-24-260B, PA-24-260C models. The base system includes the mode controller, a pitch servo, and a roll servo for $7,945. A pitch trim servo can be added optionally for $2,900. A yaw damp servo can be added optionally for $2,700. The system requires a compatible Garmin attitude source from a G5, GI 275 or G3X Touch.
Here's the PA-24-260 we used as part of the program. It's gorgeously equipped with multiple Garmin products, including our TXi flight display and EIS solution.
When paired with the pitch trim option, the system automatically trims the aircraft as opposed to a separate system that is still managed by the pilot. When hand-flying the aircraft, the pitch trim is speed scheduled. Making a pitch trim adjustment at faster airspeeds does not result in an abrupt change.
Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) offers envelope awareness and protection while hand flying the aircraft. It adds a force feel in the controls when exceeding either a certain amount of pitch and/or roll. The further the aircraft is controlled past these limits, the stronger the righting force becomes. It also protects from both overspeed and underspeed conditions while hand flying with these same queues and inputs. There is additional protection from both overspeed and underspeed while the autopilot is engaged as well, so the autopilot recognizes the aircraft limits should an autopilot command from the pilot exceed the aircraft’s performance limitation. ESP can be disabled at any time from multiple sources should flight for training or other purposes be required. Here are some additional references for this technology that we recognize as part of the Garmin Autonomi family: Garmin Autonomí™ | Autonomous Flight Solutions.
Another helpful feature is the blue level button. Should you become disoriented and/or the aircraft enter an unfamiliar or undesired attitude, this button helps right the aircraft to straight and level.
A take-off/go-around switch can be optionally installed. Pressing this before departure, sets the flight director 9-degrees nose up for a handy reference, especially in IMC. Pressing the button during a go-around also sets the flight director nose up and if the autopilot is connected, will remain connected to fly that attitude. If paired with a Garmin navigator, like the GPS 175 series or GTN Xi series, the go-around button will also sequence the missed approach automatically. This is an awesome workload reducer, especially during this very high workload situation.
We are shipping today, so contact your Garmin dealer for a quote. If you have additional questions, feel free to let me know.
For those in Europe, we plan to submit EASA validation just after wrapping up a couple of other GFC 500 programs that are getting close to completing. Once submitted it can take some time for a response from EASA. Based on our previous experience, we expect it to become available by late Summer or early Fall.
-Joey Ferreyra
Sales & Customer Experience Manager
