Garmin has secured EASA certification for its Autoland and autothrottle systems for retrofit installation in select 200-series Beechcraft King Airs. The approval marks the first time these autonomous safety systems have been cleared for retrofit in twin-engine aircraft within the European market.

Designed for emergency situations when pilots are incapacitated, with the push of a button Autoland can autonomously control and land an aircraft without human intervention. The system evaluates multiple variables to select the most suitable airport and runway, including weather conditions, fuel reserves, runway characteristics, terrain obstacles, and other factors.

When activated, Autoland calculates an optimal flight path, initiates the approach, and communicates with air traffic control throughout the process. Passengers are provided with straightforward visual and verbal instructions while displaying essential information on flight displays, including the aircraft’s position, destination, and estimated arrival time.

Complementing the Autoland capability, the autothrottle system reduces cockpit workload by automatically managing engine power from takeoff to landing. Fully integrated with the G1000 NXi avionics, it maintains optimal power settings based on manufacturer or user-configured parameters while providing engine protection against temperature and torque exceedances.

This certification package also introduces enhanced G1000 NXi features, including upgraded synthetic vision technology with 3D airport environment visualization and one engine inoperative stability protection. The latter assists pilots in maintaining control during single-engine failures by automatically adjusting pitch and roll limits during emergency procedures.

Retrofitting options are available through Garmin’s authorized dealer network specifically for King Air 200s equipped with G1000 NXi systems. This development extends the availability of these advanced safety systems to a broader range of aircraft operators in Europe who fly the turboprop twin.