Garmin Autoland autonomous flight technology continues to capture international media and customer attention

OLATHE, Kan./May 4, 2021/Business Wire – Garmin^® International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced an increasing number of nominations, honors and accolades for Garmin Autoland, the world’s first certified autonomous flight technology system of its kind. Garmin Autoland made history in 2020 when it achieved Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, as well as certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Garmin Autoland was also recently selected as a 2020 Robert J. Collier Trophy finalist by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), with the winner to be announced in June.

“As we approach the one-year anniversary of Autoland’s first certification, it is a true honor to receive the praise and admiration from so many esteemed industry and consumer publications globally,” said Phil Straub, Garmin executive vice president and managing director, aviation. “The recognition earned by Garmin Autoland embodies the overall innovative and entrepreneurial spirit Garmin is known for and reinforces our steadfast commitment to design products and technologies that make flying safer for all.”     

Part of the Garmin Autonomi^™ family of autonomous safety-enhancing technologies for aircraft, Autoland is the world’s first certified system of its kind with the ability to activate during an emergency situation to autonomously control and land an aircraft without human intervention¹. In the event of an emergency, such as pilot incapacitation, a passenger on board can activate Autoland to land the aircraft with a simple press of a dedicated button. Autoland can also activate automatically if the system determines it’s necessary. Once activated, the system immediately calculates a flight path to the most suitable airport and runway – while avoiding terrain and adverse weather – initiates an approach and automatically lands the aircraft.

As a result of its achievements, Garmin has been recognized with multiple honors for its development of Autoland, further highlighting this significant accomplishment in aviation history. These honors and accolades include:  

Aerokurier, 2020 Reader’s Choice Award – first place in avionics

Aviation Consumer, 2020 Gear of the Year

Aviation International News (AIN), 2020 Top Flight Award, Contribution to Safety

Aviation Week, 2020 Grand Laureate Award, Business Aviation

Aviation Week, 2020 Laureate Award, Business Aviation Safety

Fast Company, 2020 World Changing Ideas Award: Transportation category – finalist, Best World Changing Idea Award in North America – honoree

Flieger Magazine, 2020 Innovation of the Year

FLYING Magazine, 2021 Editors’ Choice Award

Kansas City Tech Council, 2020 No Coast Award, Outstanding Contribution to Tech

Plane & Pilot, 2020 Editor’s Choice Award

Popular Science, 2020 Best of What’s New Award, Aerospace Category

Robb Report, 2020 Best of the Best Award – cockpit technology

In addition to international media accolades, Garmin Autoland has received the praise of customers flying with this technology today. Rob, a Garmin Autoland customer and pilot, is passionate about the technology as he and his wife regularly fly with their grandchildren and family on board the aircraft. In a recent interview, Rob explained why he chose Garmin Autoland: “With Garmin Autoland, I fly with more confidence. It’s an assurance for me and my family that they’ll be safe and that they have a good and legitimate option for surviving an emergency situation.”   

Piper Aircraft received the first FAA Type Certification of Garmin Autoland on the G3000^® equipped M600/SLS in May 2020 and subsequently received EASA certification in April 2021. In, July 2020 Daher completed the first EASA certification and the second FAA certification of Autoland on the G3000^® equipped TBM 940. Cirrus Aircraft certified the first jet aircraft with Autoland in August 2020, the Vision Jet equipped with Perspective Touch+. For additional information about Autoland and the Garmin Autonomi family of autonomous flight technologies, visit www.garmin.com/Autonomi.

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, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at [email protected], or follow us at facebook.com/garminaviation, twitter.com/garminaviation, instagram.com/garminaviation or youtube.com/garminaviation.

^{1.See Garmin.com/ALuse for Autoland system requirements and limitations.}

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