Garmin® unveils revolutionary, cost-effective retrofit autopilots for general aviation aircraft

Garmin International, Inc. a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today
announced the GFC 600 and GFC 500, solid state attitude-based
(AHRS-derived) autopilots for fixed-wing general aviation aircraft. The
unique design of these autopilots deliver superior in-flight
characteristics, self-monitoring capabilities and minimal maintenance
needs when compared to older generation autopilot systems. Boasting a
robust feature set, the GFC 600 and GFC 500 incorporate a number of
safety-enhancing technologies, including Electronic Stability and
Protection (ESP), underspeed protection, overspeed protection, Level
Mode, Flight Director (FD) and more. The GFC 600 autopilot is intended
for high performance piston single/twin-engine and turbine aircraft that
have a wide range of aircraft speed and performance characteristics,
while the GFC 500 is intended for less complex piston single-engine
aircraft. Built upon the acclaimed performance of the popular GFC 700
autopilot, the GFC 600 and GFC 500 provide pilots with a suite of
advanced autopilot capabilities that are an economical addition for a
growing number of aircraft.

“As a long time disruptor in the industry, we are excited to bring two
game-changing autopilots to the market and redefine the benchmark that
aircraft owners should expect from an autopilot,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin
vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “The GFC 600 and GFC 500
bring an affordable, cutting-edge design, a feature set and performance
not currently available from mechanical attitude or rate-based autopilot
systems. By incorporating unique benefits such as solid state attitude
with robust self-monitoring capabilities, ESP, underspeed/overspeed
protection, Level Mode, airspeed climb and decent modes, and many more,
the GFC 600 and GFC 500 truly set themselves apart from any other
autopilot on the market.”

GFC 600 autopilot for high performance, piston single/twin-engine and
turbine aircraft

The GFC 600 is designed as a standalone
autopilot that boasts superior integration potential with G500 and G600
glass flight displays, Garmin navigators, as well as a variety of
third-party flight displays, instruments and navigation sources. The
self-contained autopilot controller incorporates backlit keys and a
bright, sunlight readable display that depicts autopilot status and mode
selection. An intuitive built-in control wheel also provides convenient
adjustment of aircraft pitch, airspeed and vertical speed modes. When
the level button is selected, the aircraft automatically returns to
straight-and-level flight. Environmentally hardened autopilot servos
designed for harsh operating conditions contain brushless DC motors and
a gear train that eliminates the need for a mechanical slip clutch,
offering improved performance and reducing maintenance requirements when
compared to decades-old servo designs on the market today. Standard
mark-width design of the GFC 600 ensures the autopilot controller allows
for routine installation into the aircraft’s avionics stack. Autopilot
mode annunciation is available on the G500 and G600 glass flight
displays. The addition of an optional autopilot annunciator panel also
displays the selected autopilot mode in the pilot’s primary field of
view and retains an identical footprint of third-party autopilot
annunciators on the market. Initial Supplemental Type Certification
(STC) for the GFC 600 has been completed in the A36 Bonanza and B55
Baron aircraft with the 58 Baron and other high performance piston
single/twin-engine and turbine aircraft to follow.

GFC 500 autopilot for certificated single-engine piston aircraft

Built upon the new and very popular G5 electronic flight instrument, the GFC
500 autopilot uniquely integrates with the G5 to provide pilots with an
economical autopilot and modern flight instrument. The autopilot mode
controller contains large dedicated keys and knobs, a control wheel that
allows for easy adjustments to aircraft pitch, airspeed and vertical
speed and a level button that returns the aircraft to straight-and-level
flight. Similar to the GFC 600, the GFC 500 servos also contain a
brushless DC motor and a gear train that eliminates the need for a
mechanical slip clutch. G5 provides input and display of altitude
preselect, heading, vertical speed target, airspeed target and Flight
Director command bars for the GFC 500. An optional adapter allows the
GFC 500 and G5 to interface with select Garmin GPS or VHF navigators.
Initial STC for the GFC 500 is expected to be completed on the Cessna
172 in Q4 of 2017 with the Cessna 182 and Piper PA-28 aircraft series to
follow.

GFC 600 & GFC 500 feature set: cutting edge autopilot design and
reliability

The full-featured GFC 600 and GFC 500 autopilots
provide thousands of existing general aviation aircraft with a simple,
light-weight, cost-effective autopilot upgrade path. The GFC 600 and GFC
500 both incorporate solid state attitude with robust self-monitoring
capabilities to provide superior autopilot performance, greater
reliability and safety benefits that are similar to the popular GFC 700
autopilot.

In addition to traditional autopilot capabilities such as altitude hold,
vertical speed and heading modes, the GFC 600 and GFC 500 also include:

• Premium functions and advanced capabilities such as altitude pre-select¹
  and indicated airspeed hold mode. VNAV will be a growth function when
  appropriately equipped.
• Pilots can select, couple and fly various instrument approaches,
  including GPS, ILS, VOR, LOC and back course approaches^2,3.
• Built-in GPS roll steering capability eliminates the need for external
  roll steering converters, allowing for smoother navigation tracking
  when installed with a compatible navigator.
• Level Mode button, which automatically engages the autopilot to
  restore the aircraft to straight and level flight.
• Underspeed protection helps prevent the pilot from stalling the
  aircraft.
• Overspeed protection helps prevent the pilot from exceeding aircraft
  maximum speed (V_NE).
• With the addition of an optional yaw servo, Yaw Damping (YD) mode
  minimizes yawing oscillations while also helping to maintain
  coordinated flight by keeping the slip/skid indicator centered.
• Flight Director command bars can be displayed on the G5 with the GFC
  500, while the GFC 600 displays Flight Director on a variety of flight
  displays, such as the G500 and G600 and select third-party flight
  displays.
• Pilots can fly coupled ‘go-arounds’ during missed approach sequencing.
  A remotely-installed go-around button commands the Flight Director to
  display the appropriate pitch attitude required for the missed
  approach procedure and activates a loaded missed approach when paired
  with a GTN™ 650/750 navigator.
• An optional pitch-trim servo adds automatic trim and manual electric
  trim.
• Control wheel steeringis available on the GFC 600, which
  allows the pilot to adjust pitch, roll, altitude hold, vertical speed
  or airspeed references using the control yoke while the autopilot is
  engaged.

Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP)

As a standard feature, pilots receive Garmin ESP with the GFC 600 and GFC 500
autopilots, which works to assist the pilot in maintaining the aircraft
in a stable flight condition. ESP functions independently of the
autopilot and works in the background to help pilots avoid inadvertent
flight attitudes or bank angles and provide airspeed protection while
the pilot is hand-flying the aircraft.

Should the pilot become inattentive and exceed pre-determined pitch,
roll or airspeed limitations, ESP provides gentle nudges on the flight
controls to lessen the aircraft’s pitch attitude or bank angle. The
correcting force becomes stronger if the aircraft pitch, bank or
airspeed exceedance grows further away from the preset limits. In the
event the system detects it has been activated for an extended period of time, the autopilot engages with the Flight Director in Level Mode, bringing the aircraft to level flight
until the pilot commands otherwise. For maneuvering flight, ESP can be
disabled manually.

GFC 600 & GFC 500 pricing and availability

The GFC 600 autopilot has received FAA STC in the A36 Bonanza and B55 Baron for a
suggested retail price starting at $19,995 and $23,995 respectively for
a 2-axis autopilot with electric pitch trim. For customers who already
have a G5 electronic flight instrument, the GFC 500 for the Cessna 172
starts at a suggested retail price of $6,995 for a 2-axis autopilot. The
GFC 500 can be purchased with the G5 electronic flight instrument for
less than $10,000. Initial STC for the GFC 500 is expected to be
completed on the Cessna 172 in Q4 of 2017 with the Cessna 182 and Piper
PA-28 aircraft series to follow. During EAA AirVenture, July 24-30, 2017
in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the GFC 600 will be on display in a 58 Baron
while the GFC 500 and dual G5 electronic flight instruments will be on
display in a Cessna 172 at the Garmin exhibit. The GFC 600 and GFC 500
are also supported by Garmin’s award-winning aviation product support
team, which provides 24/7 worldwide technical and warranty support. To
express interest for the certification of additional aircraft
types for either the GFC 500 or GFC 600 autopilot, please contact [email protected]
and provide specific aircraft make/model information. For additional
information including autopilot interface compatibilities and more,
visit: www.garmin.com/aviation.

Garmin’s aviation business segment is a leading provider of solutions to
OEM, aftermarket, military and government customers. Garmin’s portfolio
includes navigation, communication, flight control, hazard avoidance, an
expansive suite of ADS-B solutions and other products and services that
are known for innovation, reliability, and value. For more information
about Garmin’s full line of avionics, go to www.garmin.com/aviation.

For decades, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless
devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active
lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including
automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more
information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom,
contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin,
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^1. Available on GFC 500 or Garmin flight displays.
^2. GFC 500 requires a GTN/GNS navigator or GNC 255/SL 30 for
navigation and approach functions.
^3. GFC 600 requires
an external navigator for navigation and approach functions. See website
for additional compatibility information.

About Garmin

Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of
Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland,
and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan
and the United Kingdom. Garmin and GNS are registered trademarks and GTN
and G3X are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service
marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such
statements are based on management’s current expectations. The
forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may
not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of
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including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed
by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file
number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No
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