Garmin Gets STCs for Its GFC 500 Autopilot for Older Aircraft

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 05:14 PM ET

Verified

More aircraft can now use the Garmin GFC 500 autopilot. [Courtesy: Garmin]

Key Takeaways:

Garmin's GFC 500 autopilot received FAA STC approval for installation in older Cessna 172D/P172D and Rockwell Commander 112/114 aircraft, enabling modern technology upgrades for these widely used models.
The GFC 500 offers comprehensive autopilot capabilities, integrating with Garmin electronic flight instruments and including features like altitude preselect, VNAV, and various instrument approach couplings.
Key safety features of the GFC 500 include Garmin Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) and, for appropriately equipped aircraft, Smart Glide to assist pilots during engine power loss emergencies.

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Just because you have an older airplane doesn’t mean you cannot take advantage of modern technology. On Tuesday, Garmin announced that the FAA had granted the supplemental type certificate for the GFC 500 autopilot in the Cessna 172D/P172D model, and Rockwell Commander 112B, 112TC/TC-A and 114 models.

The Cessna 172D variant was introduced in the early 1960s, and the Rockwell Commander in the early 1970s. Both are still widely used today.