Certain models of the 35 Bonanzas, Cessna 210s, and Mooney M20s can now install Garmin’s GFC 500 autopilot. The FAA awarded a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) on July 8 for the GFC 500 for the following models:
- Beech H/J/K/M 35 Bonanza
- Cessna 210 D/E/F and T210F
- Mooney M20 C/D/E – pre-1965
The GFC 500 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 to provide pilots with an autopilot solution.
The GFC 500 autopilot provides a long list of existing general aviation aircraft with an autopilot upgrade path. Incorporating solid state attitude with self-monitoring capabilities, the GFC 500 provides superior autopilot performance, greater reliability, and tremendous safety tools that are similar to those featured on the popular GFC 700 autopilot.
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 back to a safe flight attitude.
To view the most up-to-date aircraft STC list, to view certifications that are expected to being in the next 12-months, or to express interest in a specific aircraft make/model, visit: www.garmin.com/GFC500.