Garmin STCs G500 for Cessna 172/182

The FAA has issued an STC to Garmin for its low-cost GFC 500 autopilot on many Cessna 172 and 182 models. STCs for the Piper PA28 series and Beechcraft 35S/35V are expected in the first and second quarters of 2018, respectively.

The GFC 500 retails for $6,996 for a two-axis autopilot, but it is designed to work with Garmin’s G5 electronic flight instrument. Both can be purchased for less than $10,000, according to Garmin.

GFC 500 features include altitude hold and preselect, vertical speed, indicated airspeed and heading modes, coupled approaches and go-arounds, built-in GPS roll steering, flight director and optional pitch-trim servo. Garmin also added the Level mode, which restores the airplane to straight-and-level flight, and its Electronic Stability and Protection, which works even when the autopilot is switched off and helps pilots remain within certain bank and pitch limits.