GFC 500 Digital Autopilot

Overview
Supported Aircraft
Overview IT’S AN AUTOPILOT ACHIEVEMENT FOR GA PISTON AIRCRAFT
Leveraging attitude-based control technology from Garmin high-end flight deck systems, the GFC 500 digital autopilot offers great performance and value for owners/pilots of light, fixed-wing aircraft.
Thousands of existing GA aircraft can now be upgraded with reliable GFC 500 flight control.
View modes and flight director cues on your select Garmin digital instruments and flight displays.
Digitally driven “smart” servos provide crisp control inputs and a silky-smooth ride.
Fly with safety-enhancing Garmin ESP electronic stability protection, return-to-level (LVL) mode and more.
Scalable 2-axis (pitch and roll) control can be expanded with optional pitch trim and yaw damper11.
Pair with your compatible GPS navigator to fly coupled approaches and other procedures.
Smart technology, easily accessible.RELIABLE ADAHRS REFERENCEForget failure-prone mechanical gyros. Instead, the GFC 500 system is digitally controlled, using solid-state ADAHRS sensors for greater precision and reliability.
ELECTRONIC ATTITUDE DISPLAYSA digital flight instrument, such as our G5 or GI 275 (sold separately), provides the required attitude reference for your system. You can optionally add flight displays such as AXIS, G3X Touch or G500 TXi systems – while using G5 or GI 275 as your required standby display2.
ADD REVERSIONARY DISPLAYSUp to two each of the GI 275 or G5 electronic flight displays (sold separately) can be interfaced with the GFC 500 autopilot in your aircraft to provide full reversionary backup in case of display outage or malfunction.
SIMPLIFIED MODE SELECTIONAn included mark-width mode controller offers easy access to such lateral and vertical mode selections. An intuitive up-down control wheel on the unit allows for easy and precise adjustment of aircraft pitch, airspeed and vertical speed modes.
ADAPTABLE ARCHITECTUREThe autopilot’s scalable design supports full pitch-and-roll axis control capabilities with optional pitch trim for automatic and manual electric trim offered for select aircraft. Yaw damper capability is also optionally available for select aircraft models.
VERTICAL MODESThe advanced vertical modes make it easy to manage climbs, descents and more with the GFC 500 system. Vertical modes include pitch hold, altitude hold with preselect, vertical speed, approach and more.
LATERAL MODESGFC 500 makes it easy to track your desired lateral course. Roll, heading, NAV (GPS/VOR/LOC) and more are available.
Integrate, navigate, automate.FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTEGRATIONGuidance from your compatible navigation source (such as the GTN Xi, GTN or GNS series navigators) enables the GFC 500 system to offer fully integrated flight director coupling plus GPS roll steering inputs.
AUTOPILOT-COUPLED NAVIGATIONWith guidance from your GTN Xi, GTN or GNS series navigator, the GFC 500 can fly a wide range of precision, nonprecision and GPS-guided approaches – as well as holds, procedure turns, missed approaches and more.
COUPLED VNAVWhen the GFC 500 system is paired with your GTN or GTN Xi series touchscreen navigator and compatible flight displays, fully coupled VNAV mode can fly a fully coupled vertical descent profile with automatic step-down altitude captures.
SIMPLY GO-AROUNDWith support for a remote takeoff/go-around button, the autopilot can be cued to automatically capture the correct pitch attitude required to fly a missed approach then follow the procedure loaded in your compatible GPS navigator.
Advanced safety-enhancing features.COMPATIBLE WITH SMART GLIDE TECHNOLOGYIn the case of an engine power loss situation, our Smart Glide technology can help reduce your workload. When paired with your Smart Glide capable avionics, GFC 500 will automatically engage in IAS mode at best glide speed – using the GPS guidance to fly the aircraft near the selected airport.
GARMIN ESP TECHNOLOGYWhen a pilot is hand-flying, this proactive feature functions independently of the autopilot, using the system’s servos to gently nudge the controls back toward level flight if pitch or roll deviations exceed recommended limits. Garmin ESP can be disabled to allow for intentional maneuvers.
OVERSPEED/UNDERSPEED PROTECTIONTo help the pilot keep the aircraft flying at safe airspeeds, GFC 500 provides overspeed and underspeed protection with automatic pitch adjustments and audible “airspeed, airspeed” pilot alerts.
AUTOMATIC LVL MODEDistracted or disoriented? A dedicated LVL mode button on the autopilot controller commands the autopilot to automatically return the aircraft to straight-and-level flight.
A superior suite of servos.POWERFULLY SMART SERVOSDigitally controlled speed and torque limits on the GFC 500 servos allow faster, crisper and more powerful response – ensuring optimum smoothness and comfort in flight.
BRUSHLESS SERVO MOTORSFor maximum reliability, GFC 500 servos incorporate brushless DC motors. This results in greater system efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements. The servos also provide virtually no control system friction with the autopilot turned off.
Retrofit made simple.APPROVED MODEL LIST CERTIFICATIONWith supplemental type certification completed for a growing list of aircraft models, see your authorized Garmin dealer for an approved GFC 500 system installation that meets your mission requirements and budget.
SUPPORT TO KEEP YOU FLYINGBacked by a comprehensive warranty and the industry’s No. 1-rated support team, GFC 500 is a total peace-of-mind investment for getting full utility out of your aircraft. See your authorized Garmin dealer to learn more.
1Yaw damper and pitch trim are not available for all aircraft models2G500 TXi requires either a GI 275 or G5 flight instrument with GAD 29 adapterEngineering enhancements are ongoing and may not be reflected in the pictures, videos and specifications.Supported Aircraft Aircraft Models Currently FAA Approved for GFC 500 Installation:American Champion Models: 8GCBC Scout (metal wing spar equipped aircraft only)
Aviat Husky Models: A-1, A-1A, A-1B, A-1C-180, A-1C-200
Beechcraft Bonanza Models: A35, B35, C35, D35, E35, F35, G35, H35, J35, K35, M35, N35, P35, S35, V35, V35A, V35B, 36, A36, A36TC*, B36TC
Beechcraft Bonanza/Debonair Models: 33, A33, B33, C33, C33A, E33, E33A, E33C, F33*, F33A, F33C*, G33*
Beechcraft Musketeer*, Sport*, Sundowner, Sierra Models: 19, 23, 24
Beechcraft T-34 Mentor Models: T-34A/B (A45/D45)
Cessna 172 Models: A*, B*, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, F172E, F172F, F172G, F172H, F172K, F172L, F172M, F172N, F172P, FR172K, P172D, R172K
Cessna 172 Models: 172 (Straight Tail)
Cessna 172RG Models: 172RG
Cessna 175 Models: A*, B, C
Cessna 175 Models: 175 (Straight Tail)
Cessna 177 Models: 177, 177A 177B, 177RG, F177RG
Cessna 180 Models: 180, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K
Robertson STOL compatibility: 180, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K
Cessna 182 Models: 182, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, T182, T182T, F182P, F182Q
Cessna 182RG Series Models: R182, FR182, TR182
Cessna 185 Models: 185, A, B, C, D, E, A185E, A185F
Robertson STOL compatibility: 185, A, B, C, D, E, A185E, A185F
Cessna Models: 190, 195
Cessna 206 Models: P206C, TP206C, U206C, TU206C, P206D, TP206D, U206D, TU206D, P206E, TP206E, U206E, TU206E, U206F, TU206F, U206G, TU206G, 206H, T206H
Roberston STOL compatibility: U206F, TU206F, U206G, TU206G, 206H, T206H
Cessna 210 Models: 210-5, 210-5A, 210D, 210E, 210F, T210F, 210G, T210G, 210H, T210H, 210J, T210J, 210K, T210K, 210L, T210L, 210M, T210M, 210N, T210N
Robertson STOL compatibility: 210L, T210L, 210K, T210K, T210M
Cirrus SR22 Models: SR20* SR22*
Commander 112/114 Models: Commander 112, 112A, 112B, 112TC, 112TCA, 114, 114A, 114B, 114TC
Embraer Nieva (Brazil ANAC Approved Only) Models: EMB-710C, EMB-710D, EMB-711A, EMB-711B, EMB-711T, EMB-711ST, EMB-712, EMB-720C, EMB-720D, EMB-721C, EMB-721D
Grumman (American General) AA-5 Series