In a groundbreaking move, Garmin Aviation is set to revolutionize safety in aviation by introducing Autoland and Autothrottle to select Beechcraft King Airs through an imminent retrofit kit. This marks a significant milestone as the first twin turboprop to embrace the Autoland emergency landing system, showcasing Garmin’s commitment to advancing autonomous technologies in general and business aviation.
Having previously secured approvals for Autoland in single-engine turboprops and the Cirrus Vision Jet, Garmin’s latest announcement heralds a crucial development—a retrofit kit for Beechcraft King Air 200s. Notably, this retrofit package is the first supplemental type certificate directly provided by Garmin to the aftermarket, making it a landmark achievement for the avionics OEM.
The initial certifications will cover King Air 200s equipped with the Garmin G1000 NXi integrated flight deck STC. Following this, Garmin plans to extend approvals to similarly equipped King Air 300s, expanding the reach of Autoland and Autothrottle technologies.
Phil Straub, Garmin’s Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Aviation, expresses the transformative impact of bringing Autoland and Autothrottle to the King Air series. This move underscores Garmin’s dedication to enhancing safety in the general and business aviation fleet through cutting-edge autonomous technologies. The G1000 King Air retrofit program, launched in 2007, has seen over 800 G1000 retrofits in the King Air fleet, showcasing Garmin’s ongoing commitment to supporting its customers.
The rigorous flight testing conducted for the King Air STC reflects Garmin’s meticulous approach, considering the complexity and weight of the twin turboprop compared to previous installations. FLYING magazine will provide an in-depth exploration of Autoland in action on the King Air during EAA AirVenture, offering aviation enthusiasts a firsthand look at this groundbreaking technology.
Autothrottle Integration for Enhanced Control
Not stopping at Autoland, Garmin’s Autothrottle retrofit kit is set to revolutionize control in the King Air. Fully integrating with the G1000 NXi, the autothrottle installation ensures automatic control of the engine through the power levers, maintaining optimal positions throughout each phase of flight. This feature proves especially valuable in engine-out situations, providing precise adjustments to the power levers, further enhancing safety and control.
Together, the introduction of Autoland and Autothrottle brings a new era of safety upgrades to the beloved King Air line. As a stalwart workhorse in private and corporate fleets globally, the King Air continues to soar to new heights, now with enhanced safety features that align with Garmin’s unwavering commitment to innovation and aviation excellence. Join us in witnessing the future of safer skies with Garmin’s groundbreaking advancements.