Auto Flight for Rotorcraft

Garmin's new autopilot for the AStar smoothes out the rough edges.

Julie Boatman

Wednesday, July 05, 2023 at 04:11 PM ET

Verified

Flying the AS350 with the GFC 600H over the Oregon countryside. [Credit: Stephen Yeates]

Key Takeaways:

The Garmin GFC 600H autopilot system significantly simplifies helicopter flight, enabling even fixed-wing pilots with minimal rotorcraft experience to control an AStar during various maneuvers, from cross-country to hovering, by dramatically reducing pilot workload.
Key safety benefits of the GFC 600H include Envelope Stability Protection (H-ESP) for attitude and speed limits, and the ability to perform coupled instrument approaches, which is critical for maintaining situational awareness, especially in low visibility conditions.
The system makes helicopter flying feel more approachable and accessible, effectively lowering the barrier to entry for pilots while fundamentally enhancing the overall safety of rotorcraft operations through advanced automation.

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As we’re walking out to the 1996 Eurocopter AS350 B2 perched on the pad outside Garmin AT’s offices in Salem, Oregon, I naturally head for the right seat. Because to my fixed-wing pilot brain, that’s where the observer sits, the copilot. And as one with only a handful of hours in rotorcraft in total, that’s what I guess I had expected to do on this demo flight—my introduction to Garmin’s GFC 600H for the AStar.

So when Garmin flight test engineer—and experienced rotorcraft instructor—Jack Loflin gestures me into the right seat, I don’t hesitate. Then I do.