Quest Aircraft Co. has received final approval from the FAA for the integration of the Garmin GFC 700 Automatic Fight Control System (AFCS) in the KODIAK.
The GFC 700 is an attitude-based autopilot that integrates with the G1000 avionics systems, company officials said. Deliveries of KODIAKs equipped with the Garmin GFC 700 will begin in the middle of the fourth quarter.
“The GFC 700 was designed specifically for turbine aircraft and incorporates the safety and performance features found in this class of aircraft,” said Sam Hill, Quest President and CEO. “It is well suited to the variety and type of missions our customers fly and complements the G1000 avionics system that is standard equipment on the KODIAK.”
The KODIAK was the first turboprop installation of the G1000 avionics suite, he noted.
The GFC 700 provides flight director, autopilot, yaw damper, automatic and manual electric trim capabilities. The system provides additional coupling to vertical navigation and airspeed hold.
Standard features of the KODIAK GFC 700 system include Electronic Stability Protection (ESP), which assists the pilot in maintaining the airplane in a safe flight condition and underspeed protection, which prevents the airplane from decelerating below established minimum airspeeds and allows for coupled go-arounds, company officials noted. With a takeoff and go-around button located on the side of the power lever, the pilot presses the TO/GA button and pushes the power lever forward during a missed approach. This greatly reduces workload during a critical phase of flight, officials said.
The company will continue to support the S-Tec 55x autopilot, both with training and service requirements, company officials added.
For more information: QuestAircraft.com