Textron Aviation has announced that it will integrate the latest Garmin Emergency Autoland system into its latest clean-sheet design Beechcraft Denali single-engine turboprop.
This move aims to put customer well-being at the forefront of investment products, with a focus on comfort, reliability, safety, and peace of mind for prospective Denali operators.
Textron Aviation expects the system will be implemented in the aircraft flight test program and will be made a standard option at the time when it enters the market.
This makes the Beechcraft Denali an all-rounder aircraft for family and corporate usage alike.
The Garmin technology
The Garmin Emergency Autoland System will be implemented on all Denali aircraft, and will be the world’s first system of its kind to be certified.
The system itself is a lifesaver: it has the full capabilities to land the aircraft automatically in the highly unlikely event of pilot incapacitation.
If a passenger is present in the aircraft, they can press a dedicated button in the cockpit which activates the Emergency Autoland system.
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After the system is live, the system takes full control of the aircraft while at the same time informing the air traffic controller.
The system then calculates a flight plan, and presents a contingency routing to the nearest airfield, with the ability to avoid adverse terrain and weather.
The system has the ability to enact a stabilized approach and lands the aircraft automatically, followed by a complete stop and an engine shutdown.
Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Sales & Flight Operations stated enthusiastically that: “The Autoland system is an excellent addition to the Beechcraft Denali and the G3000 avionics suite, and we’ve included it in the program as a direct response to continued conversations with our customers.”
“The feature makes the Denali even more desirable to a wider audience as it adds yet another element of assurance and peace of mind for pilots and passengers.”
Textron Aviation will be working closely with the new Catalyst engine, which will align the Beechcraft Denali aircraft certification timing, which is expected to be completed in 2025, to ensure no delays. The aircraft will be powered by one of the most efficient engines on the market.
Chris Hearne, senior vice president, Engineering stated positively: “We continue to experience great progress with the Denali development program, and we believe the aircraft will be a game changer in the single-engine, high-performance turboprop segment,”
He furthered: “Our customers are excited for the Emergency Autoland feature on the Denali and, while our goal is to achieve type certification as quickly as possible, it is of greatest importance to assure that every detail is completed with the highest quality.”
Prior to the announcement, the Denali flight certification has now surpassed 1,300 flight hours. The test program now features three flight test articles.
Other applications
There has also been a wider adoption the Garmin Emergency Autoland systems with aircraft manufacturers such as Piper and Cirrus.
With Textron rolling out the new system as a standard feature on the Denali, this arguably sets the new standard of safety in aviation.
