Mid-Continental Avionics

News

  • Garmin GFC 600 Digital Autopilot Approved for Select King Air C90 and E90 Aircraft

    Our GFC™ 600 digital autopilot has received FAA STC approval in select Beechcraft King Air C90 aircraft and E90 aircraft1. GFC 600 is optimized for turbine aircraft, delivering superior in-flight characteristics and new operational capabilities such as Vertical Navigation (VNAV), automatic Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) switching when paired with a GTN Series navigator, enhanced go-around capability and much more.

    The GFC 600 certification for the Beechcraft King Air C90 and E90 provides owners and operators an autopilot upgrade that boasts superior integration potential with G600 and G600 TXi flight displays, the GI 275 electronic flight instrument, as well as the GTN and GTN Xi Series of navigators. The self-contained autopilot controller incorporates backlit keys and a bright, sunlight readable display that depicts autopilot status and mode selection. An intuitive built-in control wheel also provides convenient adjustment of aircraft pitch, airspeed and vertical speed modes. When the level button is selected, the aircraft automatically returns to straight-and-level flight.

    Mode controller for GFC 600
    Garmin GFC 600 autopilot mode controller.

    Environmentally hardened autopilot servos designed for harsh operating conditions contain brushless DC motors offering improved performance and reducing maintenance requirements when compared to decades-old servo designs on the market today. In addition, these servos are optimized for turbine aircraft by offering more torque to help better command and respond to control demands required of turbine aircraft.

    Standard mark-width design of the GFC 600 mode controller ensures the autopilot controller allows for routine installation into the aircraft’s avionics stack. Autopilot mode annunciation is available on the G600 TXi touchscreen glass flight display, as well as the G600 flight display. The addition of an optional autopilot annunciator panel also displays the selected autopilot mode in the pilot’s primary field of view and retains an identical footprint of third-party autopilot annunciators on the market.

    In addition to traditional autopilot capabilities such as altitude hold, vertical speed and heading modes, the GFC 600 also includes:

    • Premium functions and advanced capabilities such as altitude pre-select2 and indicated airspeed hold mode
    • Pilots can select, couple and fly various instrument approaches, including GPS, ILS, VOR, LOC and back course approaches3
    • Built-in GPS roll steering capability eliminates the need for external roll steering converters, allowing for smoother navigation tracking when installed with a compatible navigator
    • Level Mode button, which automatically engages the autopilot to restore the aircraft to straight and level flight
    • Underspeed protection helps prevent the pilot from stalling the aircraft
    • Overspeed protection helps prevent the pilot from exceeding aircraft maximum speed (VNE)
    • Yaw Damping (YD) mode minimizes yawing oscillations while also helping to maintain coordinated flight
    • Flight Director command bars can be displayed on flight display such as the G600 and G600 TXi
    • Pilots can fly coupled ‘go-arounds’ during missed approach sequencing. A remotely-installed go-around button commands the Flight Director to display the appropriate pitch attitude required for the missed approach procedure and activates a loaded missed approach when paired with a GTN 650/750 or GTN 650Xi/750Xi navigator
    • Included pitch-trim servo adds automatic trim and improved manual electric trim
    • Control wheel steering is available, which allows the pilot to adjust pitch, roll, altitude hold, vertical speed or airspeed references using the control yoke while the autopilot is engaged

    As a standard feature, pilots receive Garmin ESP with the GFC 600 autopilot, which works to assist the pilot in maintaining the aircraft in a stable flight condition. ESP functions independently of the autopilot and works in the background to help pilots avoid inadvertent flight attitudes or bank angles and provide airspeed protection while the pilot is hand-flying the aircraft.

    The GFC 600 digital autopilot for the Beechcraft King Air C90/E90 is available immediately through select Garmin authorized dealers. To view the most up-to-date aircraft STC list, to view certifications that are expected to begin in the next 12-months, or to express interest in a specific aircraft make/model for the GFC 600, visit www.garmin.com/GFC600. For additional information, visit: www.garmin.com/aviation.

    1. STC approved for Beechcraft King Air C90, C90-1, C90A, C90B, C90SE, C90GT, C90GTi, E90, and does not include those aircraft equipped with Garmin G1000/G1000 NXi, or Collins Pro Line integrated flight decks.

    2. Available on GFC 600 or Garmin flight displays.

    3. GFC 600 requires an external navigator for navigation and approach functions. See website for additional compatibility information.

  • What should you think about when upgrading your panel?

    Whether you’ve just purchased your first aircraft, or your older panel needs some upgrades, deciding exactly what to buy isn’t always as simple as hitting “add to cart.” Luckily, our Garmin sales team has been around the block a few times, and they have some considerations to keep in mind when you’re mulling over your options.

    1. Your aircraft’s mission and necessary capabilities.

    Do you fly for a $100 hamburger every weekend? Introduce friends to aviation on a ride around town? Or do you fly serious cross-country trips in all types of weather, day and night? What you use your aircraft for will help you to determine what avionics are best for your mission. Our sales team recommends asking yourself the following questions:

    • Is this aircraft for personal use, for work, or for a combination of work and personal needs?
    • What type of weather do you plan on flying in?
    • How frequently will you fly your aircraft?

    Once you’ve identified your mission — and the base capabilities your aircraft will need to accomplish it — it’s time to move on to the second consideration.

    2. Budget.

    In a perfect world, money wouldn’t be an issue — but life’s not always perfect. When thinking about the budget for your upgrades, there are a couple facets to think about.  Hardware and labor costs are important pieces of the puzzle.

    Did a legacy system, like the vacuum system, fail on your airplane, causing an unexpected expense? You can not only replace that legacy system, but also gain capability in many instances as well. That’s money well spent. 

    Think about how much you’re comfortable spending and then we can help you to figure out how to get the most bang for your buck.

    3. Timeline.

    Many panel upgrades take weeks if not months to complete. If you’re using your aircraft for business purposes, you may want to plan your install during a slower time of year. Talk with your local dealer to see what their schedule is like, and work with them to establish what you’re wanting to do to lock in your installation slot. And we do recommend finding a local dealer — for any ongoing work, you’ll want to have a relationship with that installer. Not sure where to find one? Click here.

    Ready to start planning your dream panel? We recommend checking out the most comprehensive lineup of avionics upgrades in the industry.

  • Why experts recommend Garmin GTN Xi navigators

    Upgrading your avionics isn’t just about adding new tech. It’s also about transforming how you interact with your aircraft. (Although, if we’re being honest, adding tech is a lot of fun too.) Today’s navigation systems do more than guide you from point A to point B; they streamline your entire flight experience

    The evolution in cockpit technology over the past decade has been dramatic and according to industry pros, the difference is like trading in an old flip phone for an advanced smartphone — faster, smarter and far more capable.

    Early generation Garmin navigators, such as the GNS™ series, were revolutionary for their time. But the GTN™ Xi series took that innovation even further, delivering the power and performance modern pilots expect — with an intuitive touchscreen design, ultrafast processing speeds and seamless system integration.

    “I view it as the hub of the airplane,” said John Zimmerman, president of Sporty’s Pilot Shop, a longtime authorized Garmin avionics dealer. “It connects to the primary flight display, multifunction display, autopilot, weather receiver — and it does it in a way the older GNS series just couldn’t do.”

    The GTN Xi series combines GPS, NAV and COMM capabilities into a single all-in-one unit, offering advanced functionality. And because it’s a slide-in upgrade — executed by an authorized Garmin dealer — from previous GTN 650 and 750 models, installation is straightforward.

    Garmin navigators: Which is right for you?

    If you’re considering an upgrade, you might be wondering which Garmin navigator is best for your aircraft. The answer? It depends on your flying style and personal preferences.

    “It goes back to understanding who they are, what their mission is and what they want to get out of their airplane,” Zimmerman said. “There’s a right answer for everybody.”

    For occasional weekend flyers, the more basic GPS navigation avionics might check all the boxes. But for those who fly more frequently, operate IFR or simply want a higher level of situational awareness in the cockpit, the GTN Xi lineup is tough to beat.

    With a higher screen resolution (187 DPI versus 134 on the original GTN), faster processing speeds, a more intuitive interface and relocated controls for improved ergonomics, the GTN Xi is built for today’s demanding flying environments. It’s also lighter, draws less current and is designed to work seamlessly with other Garmin avionics.

    GTN Xi 650 vs. 750: What’s the difference?

    Another common question: Should you go with the GTN Xi 650 or the 750? Both upgrades can dramatically improve your cockpit experience. That’s when space considerations and price point may come into play.

    “The 650 is a great replacement of the GNS™ 430 — phenomenal upgrade,” Zimmerman said. “And for a 750, we’re typically seeing a (GNS) 530 come out with an audio panel or maybe a transponder.”

    Grayson Barrows, general manager of Precision Support Services, says customers often gravitate toward the GTN Xi 750 for its versatility and ability to consolidate key functions into one unit.

    “We have the capability to go 750 with remote audio panel, remote transponder and give them all the functionality they need while maintaining that smaller real estate that’s available,” Barrows said.

    Are you looking to upgrade your avionics? Check out the video below for more information.

    Why Garmin?

    Garmin has been at the forefront of aviation technology for more than three decades. Trusted by general aviation pilots and professional flight crews, our reputation for reliability and innovation continues to set the standard in the industry.

    “If a customer is on the fence between brand X and Garmin, we just talk about the comparisons head-to-head,” Barrows said. “Nine times out of 10 — the choice is Garmin.”

    With industry-leading integration, intuitive interfaces and world-class support, Garmin is more than a brand pilots trust — it’s a co-pilot they rely on. Hear directly from the experts in the following video and explore how the GTN Xi series could transform your cockpit.