Until now, Garmin's revolutionary autoland system has only been available for turboprops and jets and the market has been waiting for the first Garmin Emergency Autoland for piston-powered airplanes. Cirrus delivered the tech—six years later—in its latest SR G7+ series. This latest model in the Cirrus lineup has emergency autothrottle, new tech that can tame runway incursions, and IQ Pro—a smartphone app that takes the flying and ownership experience to a higher level in safety and automation. For owners with sights on moving into the Cirrus Vision Jet, the flight deck in the new SR G7 models mimics the jet cockpit.
I noticed the demo pilot was programming the navigator while taxiing the aircraft with the aircraft moving. Cirrus needs to remind the demo pilot that the FAA stresses and tells all instructors that while the airplane is moving, ‘Heads Up and Eyes Out’ The airplane should be stopped while programming the GPS.
As for the Autoland….FANTASTIC!!!
I’m guessing you would have to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and use of the Autoland function if so equipped during a check ride. Now that’s irony…
+1 for aviation safety; I’m all for it! But, I wonder who’s ahead in the cat and mouse race: advancements that make GA apparently safer or pilots who make GA appear more dangerous?
I noticed that. She’s dealing with the programming in critical phases of the flight too.
She made the point that this is for experienced pilots — ATP, Commercial etc, I agree. But that won’t discourage a 500 hour TT doctor or lawyer from wanting the emergency autoland feature.
I look at the automation and the reliability – on the heels of reading the NTSB report of the C310R that had a rudder cable failure.