Garmin has received FAA Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for the
GFC 500 autopilot in additional aircraft, including Cessna 172D/P172D models and Commander 112B, 112TC/TC-A, and 114 models.
The autopilot integrates with Garmin’s GI 275 or G5 electronic flight instruments; a combination of either a standby GI 275 or G5 electronic flight instrument interfaced to a G500 TXi flight display; or a G3X Touch flight display.
The autopilot mode controller contains dedicated keys and knobs, a control wheel that allows for easy adjustments to aircraft pitch, airspeed, and vertical speed, and a Level Mode (LVL) that returns the aircraft to straight-and-level flight with the push of a dedicated button, company officials explained.
In addition to traditional autopilot capabilities, such as altitude hold, vertical speed and heading modes, the GFC 500 also includes altitude preselect, VNAV, underspeed and overspeed protection, and more, Garmin officials said. Pilots can also select, couple, and fly various instrument approaches, including GPS, ILS, VOR, LOC and back course approaches when paired with a compatible Garmin GPS navigator.
A standard feature of the GFC 500 is Garmin Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP), 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 while the pilot is hand-flying the aircraft to help avoid inadvertent flight attitudes or bank angles by nudging the pilot to return the aircraft back to a safe flight attitude, company officials said.
To help pilots use the GFC 500, Garmin is launching the GFC 500 Essentials eLearning course. The course highlights the features and functionality of the system and allows pilots to take part in scenario-based example flights where they have the opportunity to interact with the system as the scenario progresses. Price: $29.95. To learn more about the course, go to Garmin.com.
Garmin continues to add aircraft models to the STC list for the GFC 500 autopilot. To view the most up-to-date list and certifications that are expected in the next 12 months, go to Garmin.com/GFC500.