Garmin has received FAA Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for the GFC 500 digital autopilot in Beechcraft Bonanza A35 and B35 aircraft.
The GFC 500 autopilot integrates with Garmin’s GI 275 or G5 electronic flight instruments, as well as 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, to provide pilots “with an economical and modern autopilot solution,” according to company officials.
The autopilot mode controller features dedicated keys and knobs, as well as a control wheel that allows for “easy adjustment to aircraft pitch, airspeed, and vertical speed, as well as a Level Mode (LVL) that returns the aircraft to straight-and-level flight with the push of a dedicated button,” company officials said.
GFC 500-equipped aircraft also can take advantage of Garmin Smart Glide, a tool that automates certain tasks and helps reduce pilot workload should an engine lose power.
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.
Pilots can also fly various coupled instrument approaches, including LPV, GPS, ILS, VOR, and missed approaches when paired with a compatible Garmin GPS navigator.
As a standard feature of the GFC 500, pilots receive 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 to a safe flight attitude, Garmin officials explained.
Garmin continues to add aircraft models to the STC list for the GFC 500 autopilot. To view the most up-to-date aircraft STC list, along with certifications that are expected to begin in the next 12 months, or to express interest in a specific aircraft make or model, go to Garmin.com/GFC500.