Quest Aircraft has secured approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration for the integration of the Garmin GFC 700 automatic fight control system in its Kodiak single-engined turboprop.
The system will be a feature in new versions of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34-powered high-wing aircraft from the fourth quarter, and will also be available as an aftermarket retrofit for the current 100-plus Kodiak owners. "We already have several installations scheduled,” says Quest chief executive Sam Hill.
The GFC 700 is an attitude-based autopilot that integrates with the G1000 avionics system and increases stability and control of the aircraft. The system was designed specifically for turbine aircraft, says Hill, and "is well suited to the variety and type of [utility] missions our customers fly". The GFC 700 complements the Kodiak's G1000 cockpit, for which the nine-year-old programme is the pioneer within the single-engined turboprop sector.
The GFC 700 provides flight director, autopilot, yaw damper, automatic and manual electric trim capabilities, "and brings a high level of digital sophistication to general aviation flight control", says the Sandpoint, Idaho-based airframer.
Standard features of the Kodiak GFC 700 include electronic stability protection – which assists the pilot in maintaining the aircraft’s safe flight condition – and "underspeed protection", which Quest says prevents the aircraft from decelerating below established minimum airspeeds and allows for coupled go-arounds.
"With a take-off and go-around button conveniently located on the side of the power lever, the pilot merely presses the TO/GA button and pushes the power lever forward during a missed approach. This greatly reduces workload during a critical phase of flight," Quest says.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
