Garmin receives approval for the GFC 500 autopilot

Garmin has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for the GFC 500 autopilot in the Mooney M20 and 36/A36 Bonanza. Intended for piston single-engine aircraft, the GFC 500 delivers superior in-flight characteristics and self-monitoring capabilities. The GFC 500 autopilot uniquely integrates with the G500 TXi flight display to provide pilots with an economical and modern autopilot solution. The autopilot mode controller contains large dedicated keys and knobs, a control wheel that allows for easy adjustments to aircraft pitch, airspeed and vertical speed and a level button that returns the aircraft to straight-and-level flight. As a standard feature, pilots receive Garmin ESP with the GFC 500 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. www.garmin.com