Story ID: 
Brazil's ANAC Approves Cirrus Vision Jet Autoland
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: Garmin's autoland system for the Cirrus Vision Jet can automatically land the airplane if the pilot becomes incapacitated. 
Word Count: 246
Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency has approved the use of Cirrus Aircraft’s Safe Return emergency autoland system in Brazilian airspace. The approval comes with the endorsement of Brazil’s Department of Airspace Control. Safe Return is Cirrus's branding for Garmin's autoland system.
Safe Return can be engaged by anyone on the airplane, for example, if the pilot becomes incapacitated. If the pilot or passengers are unable to engage autoland, then Safe Return engages automatically after a certain period of time of pilot inactivity. 
When engaged, Safe Return immediately turns the airplane toward the nearest suitable airport and shows a moving map on each primary display with the path that the airplane is taking to get to the selected airport. It broadcasts an emergency radio message on appropriate frequencies and resets the transponder to the 7700 emergency code. These radio messages not only alert authorities to what is going on, but also warn pilots flying in the area that an emergency is underway.
To slow the airplane as it nears the airport, Safe Return reduces power, enters a hold if necessary, then flies the instrument approach to the runway, lowering the landing gear and flaps at the correct time. Just above the runway, Safe Return reduces power and lines the airplane up with the centerline, then it lands the jet and applies brakes until it stops.