The FAA has approved the retrofit of Garmin’s Autoland and Autothrottle systems for certain Beechcraft King Air 300-series turboprop twins. According to Garmin, the installation options apply only to G1000 NXi flight deck-equipped 300-series King Airs with four-bladed propellers and PT6-60A engines.
For the Autoland safety system, King Air 350s meeting the above criteria are eligible for the modification, which includes Autoland. In case of pilot incapacitation, Autoland will autonomously land the aircraft at the nearest suitable airport with the touch of a button or a period of pilot control input inactivity.
For select King Air 300s and 350s, Garmin’s Autothrottle will fully integrate with the G1000 NXi cockpit to reduce pilot workload by automatically controlling engine power levels from takeoff to landing. The system also provides ITT and torque protection by reducing power when it senses overtemperature or overtorque conditions. As an additional layer of safety, it will activate automatically in the event of an overspeed or underspeed situation, or in cases of an engine failure, it will adjust the active throttle to maintain the desired airspeed.
“Nearly 1,000 King Air operators now enjoy the capabilities that the G1000 upgrade has provided them,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin’s v-p of aviation sales, marketing, programs, and support. “This certification also marks the largest airplane to date equipped with Autoland, and is the eleventh aircraft model certified with this potentially life-saving technology.”