Garmin has received FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for its GFC 600 digital autopilot in the Cessna 441.
The GFC 600 digital autopilot is designed for high performance piston single and twin-engine aircraft, providing an autopilot solution for both jet and turbine aircraft that have a wide range of speed and performance characteristics, according to company officials.
Additionally, Garmin is introducing a new “De-Mod” kit for select Cessna 400 series aircraft, enabling GFC 600 installations in eligible aircraft that do not have the Cessna 400/800/1000 autopilot components installed.
In addition to traditional autopilot capabilities, the GFC 600 offers:
- Advanced capabilities such as altitude pre-select and indicated airspeed hold mode;
- Built-in GPS roll steering capability, which eliminates the need for external roll steering converters, allowing for smoother navigation tracking when installed with a compatible navigator;
- Yaw Damping (YD) mode, which minimizes yawing oscillations while also helping to maintain coordinated flight;
- Control wheel steering allows the pilot to adjust pitch, roll, altitude hold, vertical speed orairspeed references using the control yoke while the autopilot is engaged.
As a standard feature, pilots receive Garmin Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) with the GFC 600 digital autopilot, which works to assist the pilot in maintaining the aircraft in a stable flight condition. ESP functions independently of the autopilot and works in the background to help pilots avoid inadvertent flight attitudes or bank angles and provide airspeed protection while the pilot is hand-flying the aircraft.
The GFC 600 digital autopilot for the Cessna 441 is available immediately through select Garmin authorized dealers, with prices starting at $20,195.