FAA Approves Garmin Autopilot STC for American Champion Scout

Meg Godlewski

Thursday, September 08, 2022 at 01:45 PM ET

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Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot [Courtesy of Garmin]

Key Takeaways:

The Garmin GFC 500 autopilot's supplemental type certificate (STC) list continues to expand, now approved for the American Champion Aircraft 8GCBC Scout and featuring advanced capabilities like Smart Glide and Garmin Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP).
Garmin received certification for Smart Rudder Bias and VNAV functionality for Beechcraft Baron B55 and B55A aircraft equipped with the GFC 600 autopilot, enhancing safety during one-engine inoperative flight.
Vertical Navigation (VNAV) capability allows pilots of compatible aircraft with GFC 500 or GFC 600 autopilots to fly fully-coupled vertical descent profiles, improving approach and landing preparation.

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The number of aircraft receiving FAA approval for a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the Garmin GFC 500 autopilot continues to grow. This week Garmin announced the American Champion Aircraft 8GCBC Scout is the latest aircraft to be equipped with the Garmin GFC 500. The Scout is one of the more popular taildraggers on the market.

According to Garmin, the GFC 500 autopilot performs by integrating Garmin’s GI 275 or G5 electronic flight instruments, which can be a combination of either a standby GI 275 or G5 electronic flight instrument interfaced to a G500 TXi flight display. It can also be used with a Garmin G3X Touchflight display.