Garmin’s Smart Rudder Bias autopilot enhancement has received FAA approval for the twin-piston Cessna 414A. In addition, the GFC 600 autopilot is now approved for installation in the Piper Meridian turboprop single.
Smart Rudder Bias was certified late last year in the Beechcraft Baron B58/58A and Piper Navajo PA-31-300 through 325. Its primary purpose is to adjust rudder force to help control sideslip after engine failure, but it also works with Garmin’s Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) autopilot feature to help the pilot control bank and avoid flying too slowly in an engine-out situation. To install Smart Rudder Bias, the aircraft must be equipped with a G500 or G600 TXi display with engine indication system data, plus the yaw axis option for the GFC 600 autopilot.
The 414A GFC 600 adds modern autopilot functionality, including altitude preselect, indicated airspeed hold, VNAV (when paired with a GTN or GTN Xi navigator), and dedicated level (LVL) button that automatically returns the airplane to straight-and-level flight. The autopilot also adds ESP limit cueing, underspeed and overspeed protection, yaw damping, coupled approaches, and support for Garmin’s new Smart Glide, which automatically steers the airplane and provides guidance toward a nearby airport after engine failure.