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 has received FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for older Cessna 172D/P172D and Rockwell Commander 112/114 models, allowing modern technology integration into these widely used classic aircraft.
The GFC 500 offers an economical, modern autopilot solution for light piston aircraft, providing capabilities such as altitude hold, vertical speed, VNAV, instrument approach coupling, and integration with Garmin flight displays.
Key safety features include Garmin Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP), which helps maintain stable flight, and Smart Glide, designed to assist pilots during uncommanded engine power loss by reducing workload.
Garmin is launching a GFC 500 Essentials eLearning course to help pilots effectively utilize the autopilot's full range of features and functionality.

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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.