Announcement marks first twin-engine certification and retrofit offering of Garmin Autoland in Europe
Garmin today announced European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval to bring Garmin Autoland and Garmin Autothrottle to the retrofit market, starting with select G1000® NXi-equipped King Air 200 series aircraft. The King Air 200 was introduced over 50 years ago, and this certification marks the first time Garmin Autoland and Autothrottle have been offered to European owners and operators as a retrofit solution. Full Autothrottle integration with the G1000 NXi reduces crew workload in the cockpit by managing aircraft speed and power and provides engine protection against potential engine exceedances. In the event of an
emergency where the crew can no longer perform their duties, Garmin Autoland can control and land
the aircraft without human intervention.1
Preview Garmin Autoland in the King Air here. Preview Garmin Autothrottle in the King Air here.
Garmin Autothrottle
Garmin’s Autothrottle, offered as a retrofit solution in the King Air, provides extensive safety-enhancing features and can greatly reduce workload in the busy King Air cockpit. Autothrottle is fully integrated with the G1000 NXi system and provides automatic control of the engine power levers from takeoff to landing. Autothrottle keeps power levers in the proper power setting, minimizing the threat of a possible throttle rollback. Power settings are based on manufacturer or user-configurable climb, cruise, and descent schedules, including ITT limits. Additionally, Garmin Autothrottle provides ITT and torque protection by reducing power when the system senses potential overtemperature or overtorque conditions.
Autothrottle will also activate automatically in the event of an aircraft overspeed or underspeed situation and takes into account flap and gear position, providing additional peace of mind for pilots operating the aircraft. If Autothrottle detects an engine failure, it automatically sets the power lever on the failed side to a fixed position and adjusts the operative throttle lever to maintain the selected airspeed reference.
Garmin Autoland
With family, friends or business colleagues on board, a pilot’s top priority is keeping everyone safe.
Now there is a way to provide even more passenger reassurance in this popular aircraft: the award-winning Garmin Autoland system. Autoland determines the most optimal airport and runway, considering factors such as weather, fuel on board, runway surface and length, terrain, obstacles and more. In the event of an emergency, passengers can activate Autoland with the press of a button, located in the back of the center pedestal for easy access. Autoland will activate automatically if the system determines it’s necessary.
Once activated, the system calculates a flight path to the most suitable airport, initiates an approach to the runway and automatically lands the aircraft. The system takes into consideration a breadth of information and criteria and will automatically communicate with air traffic control (ATC) throughout the entire event, advising controllers and pilots operating near the aircraft of its location and intentions.
Throughout an Autoland activation, the system provides simple visual and verbal communications in plain language, so passengers have the information and know what to expect. The flight displays show the aircraft’s location on a map alongside information such as the destination airport, estimated time enroute, distance to the destination airport and fuel remaining. Airspeed, altitude and aircraft heading are labeled in an easy-to-understand format and passengers also have the option to communicate with ATC by following instructions on the multi-function display.
At any time, a pilot can easily deactivate Autoland with a single press of the “AP” autopilot key on the autopilot mode controller, or the autopilot disconnect button on the yokes. The flight display shows a message that confirms Autoland has been deactivated and in the event of an accidental deactivation, the system shows passengers how to reactivate Autoland if needed.
During an Autoland activation, the Garmin Autothrottle system is used to automatically manage aircraft
speed and engine power so the aircraft can climb, descend or maintain altitude as needed. If
temperatures are conducive to ice accumulation, Autoland activates anti-ice and deice systems for the
engines and control surfaces. On approach to landing, the system initiates a controlled descent to the
airport. If the aircraft needs additional time to descend or slow down during the approach, the Autoland
system initiates a standard holding procedure. Once Autoland configures the landing gear and flaps,
the aircraft begins its descent to the runway and lands. On the runway, automatic braking is applied
while tracking the runway centerline to bring the aircraft to a complete stop. Engine shutdown is also
automated so occupants can safely exit the aircraft.
New G1000 NXi Features
With the latest G1000 NXi upgrades, King Air owners can take advantage of additional features.
Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT™) has been upgraded to now include a 3D exocentric view of the
SafeTaxi® airport environment to aid situational awareness while taxiing. SVT also displays 3D building
footprints including hangars, terminals and towers, taxiways, aprons, signs and other markings to help
reduce runway incursions by providing guidance while taxiing at airports contained in the SafeTaxi
database. These SVT updates also increase topographical clarity, sharpened water and terrain
boundaries, improved obstacle and powerlines display, enhanced runway and airport sign depiction
and more.
Adding on to Garmin’s revolutionary electronic stability and protection (ESP™) technology, one engine inoperative ESP assists the pilot in maintaining control in the event of a single engine failure. ESP pitch and roll limits will adjust to prevent excessive pitch or bank angles while the pilot performs single engine procedures. The system also includes Emergency Descent Mode (EDM) as a standard feature that is enabled automatically, in the event of a loss in aircraft pressurization.
Garmin Autoland and Autothrottle are now available for retrofit installations through the approved
Garmin Authorized Dealer network for King Air 200 G1000 NXi installations. To learn more about the
G1000 NXi upgrade and Garmin Autothrottle, visit Garmin.com/KingAir. For additional information
about Autoland and the Garmin Autonomí family of autonomous safety-enhancing technologies, visit
www.garmin.com/Autonomi.
Garmin products and services have revolutionized flight and become essential to the lives of pilots and
aircraft owners and operators around the world. A leading provider of solutions to general aviation,
business aviation, rotorcraft, advanced air mobility, government and defense, and commercial air
carrier customers, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate. Recipient of the
prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy for Garmin Autoland, Garmin developed the world’s first certified
autonomous system that activates during an emergency to control and land an aircraft without human
intervention. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garminaviation on
social, or follow our blog.
1See Garmin.com/ALuse for Autoland system requirements and limitations.
